quiltersmuse.com Blog

The Soo-Nipi Quilt Guild is known for the quality of work of its members. For years now, we have attended their small show that is held in The Library Arts Center, Richards Free Library, 53 N. Main St., Newport, New Hampshire. In the early 1990s, I presented a program about quilt dating there. At any rate, we always look forward to seeing the latest work and this year, we found exceptional variety and lots of eye-candy! The exhibit runs from Oct. 3 through Oct. 17, 2009, 11-4 (closed Mondays).

This photo shows an overall view of just a portion of the show. Even so, one can readily see the variety in colors and styles employed in quilts and wall hangings.

My favorite item in the show was not a quilt at all! I fell in love with a pillow titled, “Dragonflies and Plum Blossom Pillow.” Perhaps, I am partial to Dragonflies, as a motif. They always make me smile. My last article in The Quilter magazine was called, “Three Centuries of Decorative Pillow Making.” (Nov. issue that will soon be off-sale).

This appears to be an original design made by Chris Major of New London, New Hampshire.

Jim had the chance to pick his favorite for this article. Unfortunately, we did not write down the name of the quiltmaker, nor her town of origin. This quilt won a ribbon, as well it should have. If anyone knows who made the beautiful quilt, please contact us immediately at: pat@quiltersmuse.com We will add her name.

The following photos are landscapes:

This covered bridge in Bradford, NH, the Bement Bridge, was built in 1854 and spans the Warner River. Only $500. was needed to build this bridge. For more information and other photos, please see this site: Bement Bridge Jim spotted this on the way and so, he stopped to take this photo.

This photo was taken on the way to the show.

Another foliage shot

A winding river in Newport upon whose edges once sat various working mills

Church in Newport and part of the Village Green

We hope you have enjoyed being part of our little excursions. To top things off, we stopped at the Dorr Mill Woolen Store. They have all kinds of canvases for hooking rugs, wools, tools, blankets, sewing notions, note cards, clothing, etc. It is an upbeat shop with relatively high prices but quality goods.

To get back to reality, Jim went to pick up some new storm windows that he will begin installing on the next day that it does not rain. Wonderful show, wonderful foliage, and so far, great weather!

All photos were taken by James Cummings, and photo edited by Patricia Cummings.

Until later,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

The last time I visited with a dear friend of mine, she left a quilt with me that she calls “Yellow Work” Quilt. Most likely, it was made in Pennsylvania. The color is a good tip-off to that. She accompanying paperwork states that the quilt is from circa 1930, and measures 76″ long x 75″ wide, approximately twin size today.

Whole view of Cheddar Color Embroidered Quilt

Like Redwork, Bluework, Greenwork, Purple Work, Variegated Work, etc. this quilt has line drawings that were rendered into designs with the use of cheddar color thread. All of these kinds of embroidery use the same technique: Surface Embroidery with Outline Stitch Embroidery being the predominant factor.

The surface represents some designs that are clearly from the Kate Greenaway era before the turn of the 19th century to the 20th century. (Kate died in 1901). This kind of embroidery is still popular today and is the topic of my e-book: Redwork Renaissance Revisited, available to purchase as a mail-order product from our website.

Here is a close-up of the quilt just shown:

All photos, on our blog and website, copyrighted; property of James Cummings, photographer, et.al.

Many of the motifs on this quilt are botanical, as are the designs in the borders. The quilting is “Baptist Fan” style, sometimes called “Methodist Fan,” depending on who was behind the needle! I certainly treasure the chance to enjoy seeing this beautiful piece of work, from a time when quilters really did a lot more handwork than we are seeing today, oftentimes.

Blessings to my friend. She has hinted that she may just reclaim this wonderful quilt, at any time, so I guess I should get busy studying all of the details!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

As a quilter, what do you think of most often when you hear the color name, “red?” I think of red berries, red tulips, red roses, and most especially, red and green quilts, my favorite. The colors red, green, and white are most appealing! Since the early nineteenth century, quilters have agreed with that idea, and have put together the most intricate, flower laden quilts imaginable. Some of the designs have been rather abstract; others, more straightforward.

Red is a color used to symbolize danger. Stop lights are red. Fines are levied for “running a stop light,” and with good reason. Someone could be injured.
Red is the color of the cloth that is waved in front of a bull during a bull fight. Supposedly, it infuriates the bull to see red. For all we know, bulls may be color blind! I wonder if anyone has tested that idea yet? Maybe the bull is angry that the matador would wave any cloth in front of him. Red symbolizes the inevitable loss of blood and loss of life for the powerful animal.

Red is the color of blood and therefore, symbolizes sacrifice. In so saying, the troops of the battlefield are remembered. On a smaller scale, a little kid may fall down, and upon seeing “red,” Mother places a small bandage, perhaps on a wounded knee, and adds “a kiss to make it all better.” In more serious situations, “red” (blood) can mean the difference between life and death, and transfusions are necessary to the continuance of life.

Red sometimes indicates anger as demonstrated by what I call the “suicide quilt.” A woman threatened that when her all-red quilt was completed, she would kill herself, and she did! Viewing so many pieces of red cloth together was a rather startling experience.

On the other hand, red, green, and white quilts represent a leap of joy, a representation of abundance, and a celebration of LIFE, most fitting and heartily apropos to the Christmas season. However, life has two sides, the other side of joy being anger and violence.

The color red does not care how it is used. He’s a versatile guy. You’re apt to find red anywhere, and in the least expected places. My favorite place to see red and green quilts is in books. One booklet in my collection is called “Quilts in RED and GREEN: The Flowering of Folk Design in 19th Century America.” The out of print, museum publication features interior pages that are printed in black and white, probably due to high costs for color printing. Nonetheless, design elements of those extraordinary quilts of the past can be seen and enjoyed. We just have to use our imaginations a little more!
Enjoy the day!

Patricia Cummings