Quilt inquiry...

[WoodenNutmeg]

Does this qualify as an accurate reproduction based on the pattern used?

http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/ab/ec/b836_1.JPG

It is "chicken scratch" cross stitched, though I question some of the fabrics used in its assembly.

[wmkane]

Does this qualify as an accurate reproduction based on the pattern used?

It is "chicken scratch" cross stitched, though I question some of the fabrics used in its assembly.

Respectfully, what PATTERN is that? It appears to me to be a bunch of scraps that have been sewn together.

[WoodenNutmeg]

No need to be respectful, because personally I'm not sure what "pattern" that would actually be called, either. I guess my concern was more or less the accuracy of it all. While I know that quilts during that time were often sewn together with bits of fabric, were pieces this small frequently used to make an entire quilt? Also, were fabric prints of this kind used?

[redleggeddevil]

I don't know much about quilts, but I do know that the Jersey Skillet Licker website has a couple of documented patterns on display (I believe they are under the "Civilian" heading, but don't hold me to it).

They do show patterned material being used, and I suppose almost any useful scrap would be pressed into service. Lord knows my great-grandmother would have made a rag rug out of human skin if nothing else was handy.

Waste not, want not indeed.

[ElizabethClark]

The cross-stitched seams strike me as post-period. The big craze for crazy quilts happens later in the century (though those tend to be of finer fabrics, and with more embellishment), and again in the 1970s.

There's nothing about this particular style of quilt that strikes me as appropriate for an 1850-1865 era quilt. Does the maker have additional provenance for the original copied, or any other supporting information?

[Western Blue Belly]

You might want to try picking up a copy of Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond Dobard. In it you will find many era quilt patterns and you might just learn what they mean, yes most quilt patterns of the ACW era have a meaning.

Pick up and read a book...who would have thought to do that?

[redleggeddevil]

Beware of information on "hidden message quilts". There is, to my knowledge, no contemporary evidence for any of these hidden messages and no known examples of these quilts exist.

None of the oral history interviews of surviving former slaves done in the early 20th century make any mention of this secret code. In fact, I have found no mention of it prior to the mid 1980's.

[hanktrent]

You might want to try picking up a copy of Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond Dobard. In it you will find many era quilt patterns and you might just learn what they mean, yes most quilt patterns of the ACW era have a meaning.

Pick up and read a book...who would have thought to do that?

Hidden in Plain View has been widely criticized, and is not generally accepted as accurate by serious historians.

To recommend it without at least acknowledging that context seems to do a disservice, because anyone espousing the views in the book without addressing the criticism is going to seem naive to those who are aware of the controversy.

For example, how would you counter the criticism of people like Giles R. Wright, Kris Driessen or Leigh Fellner? As an example, here's some information by the latter: http://www.ugrrquilt.hartcottagequilts.com/

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[ElizabethClark]

Dittos with the criticisms surrounding the "Quilt Code" books.

What you might do, however, is to look at some of the quilt history books found in most libraries (quilting is pretty popular right now in the XY-chromosome set, you know), and take a look at dated historical examples. There's amazing variety, from utilitarian, one-fabric tied or tufted "comforts" to elaborate fundraiser applique quilts, and everything in between. It might help you get a mental handle on what styles to look for in repro.

[Western Blue Belly]

I suggested the book to the original poster he can get an idea of period correct quilting patterns more then any other benefit. I do admit that I don’t keep up to date with the civilian side of the hobby that well, and as a result had no idea that the book I had mentioned was / had went under such scrutiny. So, with that.. to Salemcadet, look at the pictures don’t read the book…bad book.

[Spinster]

The image pictured is that of a pretty typical 'string quilt'---an endeavour
rather ubiquitous in the first third of the 20th century. In some cases, in addition to utilzing odd scraps for the top, an older worn quilt was pressed into service as the interior batt.

I have one example rescued from a dog bed in the early 1970's. After much cleaning, the maker identified her work, and dated the effort to the early 1930's, stating that it was pieced over a quilt made by her mother some thirty years prior.

While the picture does not provide enough detail concerning the prints in the scraps to give you any sort of definitive answer, its likely that your quilt holds patterns and scraps typical of early to mid-20th century, and not mid-19th century look you desire.

Due to the great changes in fabric patterns, its unlikely you will find a vintage quilt that is correct for the 1860's era---one is best served by making a reproduction from the various lines of documented prints which are widely available to modern quilters.

[ElizabethClark]

I wouldn't really look at the Hidden In Plain Sight book for the images, either--many are speculatively dated, and aren't the greatest for getting familiar with actual war-years and pre-war-years quilt block styles. Regular quilt history books (without a social agenda) and quilt museum collection books are better suited for such things.

[Western Blue Belly]

I wouldn't really look at the Hidden In Plain Sight book for the images, either--many are speculatively dated, and aren't the greatest for getting familiar with actual war-years and pre-war-years quilt block styles. Regular quilt history books (without a social agenda) and quilt museum collection books are better suited for such things.

Ok, that’s it!! Don’t make me use the “if they would have had it…” argument! Like I said before, I’m not that in-tune to the developments centering around the civilian side of the hobby. In fact getting a copy of the book in question (years ago) was as far as I went into the study of quilts. Never wishing to use them I never bothered. However, I do believe that the info that you and Mr. Trent has provided is valuable and I thank both of you. Sooo…Salemcadet, don’t read the book, don’t look at the pictures, don’t even pick up the book…bad bad book.

[Rob Weaver]

I'm a big fan of the Underground Railroad, and of African-American history, and was very excited when I first heard of the concept of code quilts. I was very disappointed when I came to the realization that there is absolutely no documentation for them whatsoever. Unfortunately, that myth is popular still, and you'll find it surfacing every February, usually in a venue where all you can do is smile politely and tell your daughter "They didn't really do that" at a more convenient time later.
"Crazy" quilts were a fad in the 1880's and were different than what we usually think of also. They were "crazy" not only in that the pieces were irregularly shaped, but they also included odd fabrics like velvet and silk, and the pieces were heavily embroidered, often with popular quotes, names of friends, etc. Some of the ones I've seen had silk ribbons from conventions attended, or bookmarks thrown in as fabric. We have one that has pieces of horseblankets used by famous horses at the local racetrack (where one of my wife's ancestors lost the family fortune). They were never intended to keep you warm at night, were more of an "art quilt" and are definitely postwar.
My wife has a quilt top, a family piece, which was pieced in Iowa in 1867 and for some reason never backed. She also has a letter from the original piecer describing it being made. (Her family is exceptionally well-documented. Mine came across the pond and tried to forget who they were) Anyway, the quilt pattern is a simple 9-patch. Some of the colors are interesting, such as a vivid pink cotton with black polkadots. My grandmother pieced quilts like the one pictured back in the 1920's and early 30's. I've never seen a "patchwork" quilt that was any earlier than that.While quilts were (and are) made of old fabric, they were also pieced from new fabric as well. Old fabric has the problem of being, well, old, faded and worn out. So automatically you're making a durable household item out of something not durable. My guess is that your quilt is early 20th century, and I wouldn't recommend it for Civil War reenacting.

[ElizabethClark]

Heh heh... no worries, Mr. Zimmer. Quilt styles are generally women's territory (which is not to say that men cannot be extremely well-informed and gifted at making them up), and you can't be punished for unknowingly reading "fiction" several years ago. :)

Thinking about what a brother, husband, or father might know about the quilts made in his family mid-century, we might anticipate they know the basic materials (tops, batting/wadding, backing) and perhaps how long something takes (based on how many days they were inconvenienced during the quilting or tufting of such objects), and perhaps even the basic looks of different styles (hey, that one's all squares, but that one has stars in it). I wouldn't anticipate the average guy could tell you block names, or when that block came into popularity. :) It's nifty to know for context and background information, no matter who you might be, but those topics won't generally come up in first-person conversation. Anticipate that they might, however, come up if you have a pieced quilt and a quilting spectator comes by. Knowing that what you have *does* fit realistically into styles and techniques of the period and region is a good thing.

[Linda Trent]

Unfortunately, that myth is popular still, and you'll find it surfacing every February, usually in a venue where all you can do is smile politely and tell your daughter "They didn't really do that" at a more convenient time later.

:mad: I remember back in May 2005 an article came out on the "Underground Railroad Quilts" in my local historical society's newsletter. I happen to be on the genealogy list when people started talking about the article and how neat it was to have codes sewn into the quilt. I decided to bring up Dr. Giles Wright research. Huge mistake. They started claiming that the local author had no personal agenda, but that Dr. Wright had a huge one since he's selling his work. I also was told that the article, in the newsletter, was in part to thank the ladies of the county for their handiwork in making the quilts that were on display in the window, a window that was to honor those who escaped to freedom.

My comments were not appreciated, by at least a few in the historical society. :shock:

Go figure,

Linda

[redleggeddevil]

I am, I must confess upfront, almost totally "textile challenged". I will relate, however, that there is one thing to be said for buying a quality period repro quilt from a reputable vendor.

I bought a quilt from Jersey Skillet Licker last December as a "gift for my wife". She thinks it is pretty enough to display over the back of the living room couch, but I know that I can steal it for those chilly garrison weekends at one of our local forts.

It isn't too often that one item can satisfy two divergent agendas with such ease!

[Rob Weaver]

Well, I can't sew anything more complicated than a patch, but my wife is extremely competent. She made me a radiant star quilt when I was an Indian missionary, as the star pattern has been adopted by the Lakota people. Along the way, she and I have studied a lot of quilts, and I've listened enough to know what's correct even if I can't do it. She looked at the one on page one this morning and said "That looks like something twentieth century" and actually advanced the thought that a quilt made during the crafts revival of the 1960s and 1970s could conceivably look that tattered by now. The plaids of that quilt, which look to be flannel, certainly have a post-1900 look to them.

[goatgirl]

The latest issue of the Civil War Courier has a book review about Facts & Fabrications, Unraveling the History of Quilts & Slavery by Barbara Brackman. I have never read the book, but its says she is a quilter and quilt historian. Apparently she believes code-quilts just “makes a good story.”