11.24.07

A Sampling of Recent Letters from Readers

Posted in Reader Questions at 10:50 am by Administrator

We receive a lot of e-mail requests for information. Sometimes, we have a ready answer and sometimes, we are stumped. In this blog entry, I’ll share a few of those letters. If anyone has additional information or ideas about any of the topics, please contact me by responding in the “comments” section below or by writing directly to: pat@quiltersmuse.com

Original Message from Eugenia-

Hello,

I would like to learn to work with Redwork patterns and get information that I can on it. I would like to make a Redwork quilt, sheets and pillow slips or pillowcases and I was wondering if you can point me in the right direction. ~Eugenia~

Dear Eugenia,

Redwork is just one form or rather color used in outline stitch embroidery. I would suggest that you read all of my files about Redwork on our website, including my free Redwork books that contain hundreds of designs. We also have a “free patterns” page with additional motifs. I run a yahoo list for outline stitch embroidery where we share photos and ideas. You can visit eBay to look at their many auctions, even if it is just to get an idea of new and old pattern designs.

Check booksellers for books in print about Redwork. Visit your local quilt shop or other store that sells individual patterns. Look through sewing catalogs, and needlework catalogs such as that of Herrschener’s. Old magazines are another source. The American Quilter’s Society has published a few books about Redwork, such as one by Willa Baranowski about Penny Squares, and another by M. Cunningham about Presidential Redwork blocks. The Kirk Collection currently has a CD of 90 Redwork designs for sale.

Take a class in Redwork embroidery. Check with your local museum. For example, the Wenham Museum in Massachusetts has some reproduction Redwork patterns for doll quilts for sale in their museum shop. There are countless places to access antique Redwork. Those resources just listed are only a few, but they are at least a start. Good luck! ~Pat~

Original Message from Charlotte:

I am looking for an old Leeward’s catalog crib quilt. It was a 1930ish, 40ish quilt with a pussywillow on it and the pussywillow buds were kittens - have you seen one? ~Charlotte~

Dear Charlotte,

Sorry, I have not seen this design. ~Pat~

Another note came from Abdul. His brother sells old textiles in Pakistan and he told me to let him know when I was planning my next trip there so he could provide contact information.

My answer was this:

Dear Abdul,

Thanks so much for contacting me. While I enjoy seeing and learning about textiles from all over the world, I do not travel. The textiles of Central Asia, Pakistan, India, and Russia are beautiful! ~Pat~

As you can see from this sampling of letters, diverse queries arrive in my mailbox. The one I am still smiling about, quite awhile later, was a letter from a young Italian man who was looking for an older woman who would support him, and who lived in Florida or some other seaside community where he could go surfing. It was such a cute letter, I wondered if it was “for real.”

Have a wonderful day!

Patricia Cummings
http://www.quiltersmuse.com

08.05.07

Question about Molas

Posted in Museum News, Reader Questions at 7:59 pm by Administrator

As you may well imagine, I receive a lot of requests for information. Just yesterday, a reader wrote to ask if a mola in her collection is rare. The image is that of a boxer, and she assumes from the word “Robinson” on it, that the person referred to is “Sugar Ray Robinson.”

Robinson Comes of Age Mola

photo taken by Linda Laird

Let me backtrack just a little bit. A few years ago, I researched and wrote about molas, mainly because I had some in my collection and I wanted to know more about who makes molas. The result of my studies was a large and comprehensive article that was published in The Quilter magazine.
That article is now on our website.

To answer the reader’s query, yes, it is highly likely that the image is Sugar Ray Robinson. Why do I think so? Tourists visit the isolated archipelagos off the coast of Panama where the Kuna Indians who make molas live. They often leave behind advertisements, magazines, and newspapers, and the locals, wanting to please, inasmuch as making molas is a major income source, copy images of people.

A popular figure in molas is Jesus Christ, although JFK and Jackie have been featured, as well as many individuals in politics (heads of states, and candidates for office, especially in Latin America), and sports figures. Boxing, as a sport, is often depicted on molas.

I hope you will read the whole article I wrote, and check out the links, as well. “TraderBrock” and his “picker” personally collect molas on a regular basis and offer them for sale to the general public. I mention him only because I have been a very satisfied customer. In addition, the University of Connecticut has put a lot of information about their donated collection of molas, online, since I published my article. That fairly new link is now included at the end of the article, under “Resources.”

Enjoy!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

09.30.06

Vintage Fabrics, A Response to a Question

Posted in Reader Questions at 9:36 pm by Administrator

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Sally, a second year textiles student from the UK, wrote to ask me to explain why vintage fabrics are becoming more popular.

Here is my answer:

I don’t believe that vintage fabrics are becoming more popular, as they are in short supply. However, reproductions of vintage fabrics are very popular with American quilters who like to re-create the look of antique quilts.

Where there is a demand, manufacturers respond, and where there is a supply, quilters will buy, if they have a reason to do so, such as a good pattern from the past. Many old quilts are being used as resources to create new patterns for sale, and to attain the look of “vintage,” new fabrics that utilize old designs are being marketed.

Pat