Today, I uploaded a file with photos of a few of the miniature quilts I have designed. To see them and to learn more about them, please click on the following link:
http://www.quiltersmuse.com/miniature_quilts_photo_essay.htm
Patricia Cummings
Archive for the ‘Web Additions’ Category
Miniature Quilts Photo Essay
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008William Henry Harrison and political quilt blocks
Monday, November 19th, 2007Today, I have added to our website the second of a series of articles that feature quilt blocks and other textiles made to honor presidents and famous wanna-bees. This time, the focus is on just one person: William Henry Harrison. If one listened to his presidential opponent, incumbent Martin van Buren, Harrison lacked both education and class. That was simply not true and some of the quilt blocks diminished those charges by making fun of them, as would a good cartoon.
A “Harrison Rose” block, in the process of being hand quilted.
What I love about political quilt blocks is that they gave women a voice, at a time when they had no vote. After 1920, when women first were allowed to vote in the U.S., the tradition of making quilt blocks with a political bent simply continued.
While revisiting this article that I’d first put together more than three years ago, I began thinking about the political process in this country. I am struck by the fact that many of our nation’s leaders previously served in the military.
Our first president, George Washington, did so. Teddy Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders,” served during wartime in 1898, and Dwight D. Eisenhower distinguished himself during World War II. Harrison was known for fighting the Indians at Tippecanoe. In fact, the campaign slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,” has a catchy ring to it.
In choosing those who have held military leadership positions, perhaps the voters think that their loyalty, love of country, and abilities as warriors, makes them apt candidates for the presidency.
Politics are ever intriguing, and though we may have a slightly imperfect system, we make a stab at fairness and the continuation of a democratic process of elections.
I hope you enjoy the article: Quilted Tributes to William Henry Harrison, Our Ninth President.
Patricia Cummings
Bluework Embroidery
Saturday, September 8th, 2007Today, I posted, to our website, Part I of a two part article on Bluework Embroidery. This is a modified version of the original article, which centers on American Bluework, and additional photos have been added.
Part II, European Bluework, is currently featured in The Quilter magazine, November 2007, and is available to purchase, in the U.S., at Borders, Barnes & Noble, your local grocery store, Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, etc., or directly from the headquarters of the magazine.
Enjoy!
Patricia Cummings
Emma’s Redwork Quilt Book Posted
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007A book that I put together about four years ago was posted to our website, just today. The name of it is Emma’s Quilt. The book contains Redwork pattern motifs from 1898, as embroidered by “Emma.”
Enjoy!
Pat and Jim Cummings
Straight Talk About Quilt Care: Completely Uploaded
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007We did it! We have spent marathon sessions in placing our entire book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care online, just for you to enjoy!
Pat and Jim Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
Carol Godreau’s New Quilt Celebrates Her Family’s History
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007Just now, I have added a file to our website about Carol Godreau’s art quilt that depicts a Maine ship, built in 1874, of which a relative was the captain. For more details and to see this ingenious recollection of history, please visit the file associated with the “Grace Deering” quilt.
Pat
Hungarian Embroidery
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007This afternoon, I wrote and published a new article, about Hungarian embroidery. This evening, a member of my online list for outline stitch embroidery enthusiasts sent me additional images of a lace tablecloth she collected in Hungary, as well as some beautiful photos of places she visited there.
My writing and photos center on Kalosca embroidery, visions of beauty. Hope you enjoy the article.
Tuesday – 7/23/07 – An account of Chris Thiessen’s trip to Hungary and her photos have been added, as well as a link to a site that sells kits of Hungarian embroidery.
Patricia Cummings
Busy as Beavers
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007Are you familiar with beavers? Humans often compare themselves to them. Beavers are dedicated to their cause of building dams to make homes to raise their young and to provide safe haven. Beavers are busy, gnawing down saplings with their sharp teeth and dragging the branches into the water, to do their work.
Only once have I personally laid eyes on a beaver. In fact, the animal was walking across my backyard, and at first, I mistook it for a large woodchuck, that is, until I saw its broad tail. I suppose that the flat, hairless, appendage is good for slapping mud between pieces of wood to help hold them together. Correct me if that guess if wrong. I’m no expert in wildlife, although wild animals have held a fascination for me, since childhood.
Yes, busy as beavers we all seem to be, torn between work and more work, things to do, things that can wait a little while longer, and things that are pressing. Use of time is always a trade-off. If we do “this,” then often, we don’t have the time, or the money, to do “that.”
Well, this week we have some new and unexpected delights at Quilter’s Muse. Bob Rotruck, a retired Navy man, has sent us some very lovely poetry that he wrote. One of the three poems, “The Quilt,” is located on the main Poetry page, and the other two are located on “Poetry page 2.” I hope that you take the time to enjoy them.
In other news, I have set up the rudimentary beginnings of a yahoo list for people who are interested in Outline Stitch Embroidery, in all of its manifestations. Please consider joining us.
In addition, I have posted a new (antique) Bluework pattern to the Free Patterns page, and a new (antique) line drawing for Outline Stitch Embroidery to the front page of the website.
Today, I will be washing some fabrics and pressing them so that I can begin to re-create the “Scenes of Childhood” quilt that is presently in the collection of the Shelburne Museum. I’ll be working from a pattern prepared by Froncie Quinn.
Wherever you are today, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you will count your blessings, and whether you choose to do “this” or “that,” I hope that you will stay as “busy as a beaver.” As the Shakers says, “Hands to Work, Hearts to God.”
As always,
Pat
Pillow Shams for Mother during Time of War
Sunday, May 13th, 2007This being Mother’s Day, I decided to post a “Mother” pillow sham, close-up shot. The words say, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother.” This type of pillow was sent home during WWII.
Whether or not you are a mother, I hope that you have enjoyed a happy Sunday. I rearranged the front page of the website a bit, adding to it and subtracting from it. I also pulled a few weeds until my allergies got the better of me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear a dish of ice cream calling my name. 
Pat
Chalk Talks
Monday, April 30th, 2007I have just written a new file about the topic of “Chalk Talks.” These appear to have been most popular in the early twentieth century. I have been intrigued with the name. If anyone hears of some other person who is known for this kind of illustrated instruction, I’d love to hear more!
Pat Cummings
