quiltersmuse.com Blog

Vintage tinted and embroidered pillow made by Elizabeth Cox Wassum, photo courtesy of Betty Wassum Hall

Betty writes:

I read your article “Three Centuries of Decorative Pillow Making” (in The Quilter magazine) and really enjoyed it. I have read many of your articles and always enjoy them.

Betty Wassum Hall

Thanks you for this note and photo, Betty. We always enjoy hearing from appreciative readers.

Note from Patricia: The Quilter, November 2009 (cover date) that features the article mentioned above is now off-sale, replaced by the January 2010 issue that has my article about a unique, antique “Lobster Claw” quilt. Back issues and subscriptions are available by calling (800) 940-6593 in the U.S., or (386) 246-0189 outside the U.S.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Quite frequently, I receive letters such as the following one, asking me to provide a value for a textile, based on just a verbal description.

I have a feed sack panel printed with a pattern for two bunny toys. One is bubble gum pink and the other is depression blue. There is a stamp identifying that the bag was made by Werthan Bag of Nashville. The only information they could give me was that it must have been printed between 1928 and 1932 as they converted to camouflage fabric after that. There is only one small stain that does not affect the pattern. The feed sack panel has been hand quilted with cross-hatching on the background and outline quilting on the pattern. I would appreciate any information about this and especially the value of the quilt.

I love to hear from readers, and I love to know what kinds of wonderful textiles they have inherited, found at a flea market, or been given.

I do not appraise anything.

Why is that, you say?

Appraisals and appraisers represent a specialized niche within the quilt world. Certified appraisers are dedicated souls who devote their lives to thinking about “values” of objects. While that is a valid form of occupation, it does not lie within my interest area as a creative person and writer.

When I think about purchasing an antique quilt or other textile object, I usually have a reason for collecting it. Perhaps the object is in really poor condition, but I love the design and would like to re-create it, even if I end up throwing away the original object (which, by the way, is rarely the case). Mold or mildew on a textile would be the main reason I would discard it.

A good appraiser knows that it is necessary to actually view the object, in person. Photos are fine, but they can be altered to make something look better than it is. Much more about the textile’s condition, workmanship, and actual colors can be determined by seeing it.

I am leary of anyone who says that he/she can appraise something from a photo. I stand in disgust of appraisers who low-ball an appraisal, knowing that the object is worth far more, and then turn around and buy it for their own collection. That, my friend, is unethical! It is taking advantage of an unknowing person who has placed trust in the appraiser to do right by them.

Sometimes, I get the impression that I am asked about the value of textiles because it is a major hint for me to make an offer. I never do, approached in that manner.

The bottom line is this: If you own a wonderful old textile that you would like to share with others, online, send me a photo and information, and I’ll consider the merit of publishing it. I run an educational website, not an appraisal business. I am so happy when folks share details of their objects, as the lady did who wrote to me in the letter quoted above. Sorry to say, I just can’t and won’t ever attempt to share potential market values – it’s not my area of interest or expertise.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Don Beld, founder of the Home of the Brave Quilts program that makes and presents quilts to families of fallen U.S. military heroes who have served and died in Iraq or Afghanistan, sends the following message:

The Home of the Brave Quilt Project during the next 30 days will present one or more (one for each child left behind) Home of the Brave quilts to the families of the fallen heroes from Ft. Hood, Texas. This project is being coordinated by our national coordinator, Sandi Carstensen, in Iowa.

Quilt top that was hand pieced by Don Beld.

I am in the process of making, by hand, of course, a Memorial Quilt for the fort to have as part of their memorials. I have attached photos of the finished quilt top, which I completed this week in five days or about 60 hours of hand piecing. I will be hand embroidering and hand quilting during the next several weeks with the hope of getting it to the fort by December 5, 2009. I expect it will take me about 200 + hours to hand quilt. I will be using dark brown thread for the embroidery and quilting.

Close-up of the Fort Hood Memorial Quilt being made by Donald Beld of California

As my friends and associates, I thought you might like to see the top as we all honor these fallen heroes.

Best, Don

***
Thank you for this information, Don. You are truly an inspiration and have been a steady worker, putting your heart and soul into honoring military men who gave their lives in service to our country. In honoring them, you bring honor to yourself. May God bless you and all of your efforts!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Flashback to the 1950s -

When I was a little kid, say about five years old, my mom was still a stay-at-home mom. My older siblings were all in school. Her day was pretty full, what with visiting with the man who delivered Wonder Bread, the bread to build strong bodies. She also ordered those delicious Blueberry pies from him, the ones that were sold in a tin pie plate that one either had to return “clean,” at the next visit, or else pay up.

In fact, it seems that there was an ongoing parade of salesmen at our house. The Fuller Brush man came to the door, often. My Dad referred to this man as “Egads” because every sentence that ever came out of his mouth was preceded or followed by “Egads!”

Even the piano tuner seems to have been a frequent visitor, in retrospect. I’d feed him Rolos chocolate candy thinking he would do a better job and then, hurry up and leave!

The bottom line is that I wanted my mother’s attention and I was distressed at all of these people taking up space in the kitchen and chatting, when she could be teaching me more embroidery stitches, or playing a game with me.

I don’t know what got into me, exactly. One day, with an insurance salesman yakking away as she stirred something on the stove, I lifted the corner of her long-ish dress and exclaimed,”But, Mother! You have no undies on!” Of course, she did!

The two adults turned beet red, and as my mother began to speak up for herself, saying, “What do you mean, Patti? Of course …,” the salesman had hoofed it to the door and left, never to return.

My mother was baffled by my behavior, but I tell you, the scene was priceless. Since this happened before the “age of reason,” which according to my religious upbringing is the age of 7, I suppose I’ll not be held accountable at the pearly gates. It is simply a funny memory that I carry with me today. After that, Mother did not encourage these daytime visitors to linger, just in case of an unexpected, repeat performance.

Patricia Cummings

Early this morning, Jim and I decided hike in an area where we had never been before. Passing many of our favorite antique stores in Northwood, New Hampshire’s “Antiques Alley,” as well as a quilt shop that was not open, we reached a natural area called, “Northwood Meadows.” Jim brought his camera and captured some of our favorite views of the day. I hope that you enjoy these photos, particularly if you do not live in New England.

Stream at “Northwood Meadows”

Who doesn’t love a baby? This “baby” pine tree is only a couple of inches high now and looks out of place with all of the taller trees around.

This is a pond that we could have hiked all the way around. Isn’t it a peaceful view?

Just across the road from the pond, one of several, was this backwater with dormant pond lilies and interesting shapes of leafless trees. I love swamps!

For some reason, this photo reminds me of the Beatles’ song, “The Long and Winding Road.” I asked Jim to take this shot because I like the texture and shapes of the weeds.

Throughout the woodlands of New Hampshire, one sees stonewalls that were once used on cleared acreage to keep sheep from roaming. Stonewalls are a remnant of a time when raising sheep was an integral part of New Hampshire’s economy.

Here you see evergreen Hemlock trees, but to the left, is a deciduous tree, with rosy leaves, that neither one of us recognized. I like the shape of its leaves, in some instances, almost like a tear drop.

Jim enjoyed the mix of red and green and the textural effect of these low-bush blueberry bushes and teaberry plants, growing together.

This Yellow Birch tree can be identified by its distinct smell of Wintergreen when its twigs are rubbed together.

The textural effect of these weeds is just stunning. We can copy Mother Nature, but when you come right down to it, she “does” it best!

This pine tree attracted me because of its bright, lime color, an oddity at this time of year, but also it’s strange pattern of growth.

We came across one large stone with so many embedded pieces of mica, they looked like glistening little diamonds. Unfortunately, the full effect was not caught with the camera. One side of the rock featured quartz, so it was clearly a rock with interesting features!

When we returned home, we found another surprise:

Of all things! This is a Periwinkle (sometimes called, “Myrtle”) flower blooming on this warm November day (60 degrees Fahrenheit).

Bad weather is in store for us tomorrow, so most likely, it will be an indoor day of cooking and quilting. We certainly enjoyed exploring new trails today and hope to return to the site another time to follow more trails. We heard birds and saw a red squirrel, but saw no deer, just imprints in the dirt that appear to be hoof marks. Thanks for coming along on our journey, today and always. You are kindly welcome!

Patricia and James Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications