Visit a Quilt Museum

The summer travel season is underway. Why not add a quilt museum to your list of must see places? Here's a list.

Underground Railroad Quilt Code Museum in Atlanta, GA
http://www.plantationquilts.com


New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA
http://www.nequiltmuseum.org


Museum of the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah, KY
http://www.quiltmusem.org.


Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO
http://www.rmqm.org


San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, CA
http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/


La Connor Quilt Museum in La Connor, WA
http://www.laconnerquilts.com/


People’s Place Quilt Museum in Intercourse, PA
http://www.ppquiltmuseum.com/


Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, VA
http://www.folkart.com/museums/m_vqm.htm


Latimer Quilt and Textile Center in Tillamook, OR
http://www.oregoncoast.com/latimertextile/


Quilters Hall of Fame in Marion, IN
http://www.quiltershalloffame.org/


Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum in Lancaster, PA
http://www.quiltandtextilemuseum.com/

Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook: A Review

Now that we have shelled the peas, how about a new recipe. Check out the Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook published by the National Council of Negro Women. The title of the book comes from the fact that many African American families covered the dinner table with quilts for Sunday dinner. (I’ve seen that decorating suggestion in Country Living magazine. Who knew a trend was set 50 years ago).

The book contains recipes, quilts and a bit of history. The recipes are excellent soul food recipes and have been updated for modern times – modified to have less sugar and fat. Even better, for those of us who are not history buffs, the book gives you small doses of fascinating history. There are many stories about Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida and the National Council of Negro Women. Stories recalled by people who knew her, make you feel like you are getting to know an old friend rather than an icon of African American history.

The quilts and the stories behind them, spice up the recipes. Renowned quilter Faith Ringold’s Tar Beach 2 is on the cover. Carolyn Mazloomi, founder of the Women of Color Quilters' Network, helped to develop the book. Most of the quilts in the book are picture quilts.

The book is available on http://www.amazon.com/. No well stocked kitchen should be without this book. You will enjoy returning to it again and again.

Shell Some Peas

When was the last time you shelled peas? I had not thought about shelling peas in a long time until my daughter asked me recently, “Mommy, do you remember how my cousins and I used to have to shell peas at Granny’s house?” she asked with a reminiscent smile on her face. I remembered indeed.

Throughout my childhood, I had to shell peas. I hated to shell purple hull peas. They are long and skinny and leave you with purple fingers. Butter beans were much easier to shell and, definitely, my preference. You could fill up a pot quicker.

Shelling peas is almost a lost art like quilting. Shelling peas forced you to slow down. You could have a conversation while you shelled peas. We had a big oak tree in our front yard. We would sit under that oak tree, wave at the people going by, and gossip. You could talk and laugh while you shelled peas. Now that’s multi-tasking at its best. Where can we do that now?

I say we need to bring back the shelling of peas. The dietary benefits are obvious. To steal a line from Subway, “EAT FRESH.” More importantly, instead of paying money for a massage, or worse, therapy, call a friend over and shell peas. Relax and gossip over a bowl of peas. You will feel better and live longer.

GA Quilt Council Challenge

"Not Your Grandmother's Quilt: Taking a Traditional Block or Pattern in a New Direction"


The Georgia Quilt Council has issued a challenge to its members. Members are challenged to make a quilt that takes a traditional block in a new direction.

The quilts may be made from any fabric using any technique, but they must not exceed 24 inches.

The winners will be chosen at the GQC Fall Convention by Viewer’s Choice Balloting. Entries will become part of an exhibit traveling around the state from October, 2005 until March 2007.

You must be a member of the Georgia Quilt Council to enter. Visit www.georgiaquiltcouncil.com/museum/GQMChallenge05.htm to download the entry form.

Underground Railroad Quilt Code Museum

The Underground Quilt Museum is now open in world famous Underground in Atlanta, GA. The museum tells the story of the Underground Quilt Code and features the quilts of the Farrow-McDaniel family. It features eight generations of quilts.

To learn more about the Underground Quilt Code, check out Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard.

In addition to viewing some very old and historical quilts, there are many items for sale in the museum including quilts that are sure to become future heirlooms, books, African textiles, art and other handcrafted items.

Museum hours are Monday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm. For more information, visit http://www.plantationquilts.com/.

Future Heirloom: Clara's Scrap Bag

70 x 89 inches
©2001


One of the first quilts I made when I started quilted was Clara’s Scrap Bag. It was a block of the month from a little quilt shop named Quilt ‘N Stitch in West Monroe, Louisiana. Because it was made of 1930’s fabrics, I immediately dedicated it to my grandmother. Clara’s Scrap Bag is a sampler quilt that has 12 different blocks. I hand pieced it, but had it machine quilted. I tea dyed it to give it an antique look.

Take a look.

Clara's Scrap Bag 2001 

Cheap Quilt Books

Cheap Quilt Books


One of my favorite sources for cheap quilt books is Edward R. Hamilton Booksellers. You can get very nice quilt books for as low as $3.95. You can check them out online at http://www.edwardrhamilton.com/.

Recent offerings include Dresden Flower Garden by B. Young and L.Y. Bingham, Through the Garden Gate by Jean and Valori Wells, Quilts Say it Best by Eileen Westfall and A Thimbleberries Housewarming by Lynette Jensen. Each book is only $3.95.

Once you’re on the mailing list, you will receive a catalog periodically. It’s a great way to build up your quilt library.

Link

Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show Huge Success

Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild held its bi-annual quilt show Saturday, May 7, 2005 at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, Georgia. From the minute the doors opened at 11 a.m., excitement was in the air. When the show closed at 5 p.m., approximately 500 people had viewed the beautiful quilts.The theme for the show was "Quilt Me a Story." As usual, a highlight of the show were the quilts made by the guild members for the children at the Carrie Steele Pitts Orphanage in Atlanta, Georgia. Artfully arranged in the children’s room of the library, 17 beautiful quilts dazzled kids of all ages. The quilts served as a beautiful back drop for the interactive children's activities that included storytelling, hand quilting, and designing quilt blocks.

New this year were the challenge quilts. In keeping with the theme, guild members truly told their individual stories as they created quilts from Alexander Henry’s “Soul Sister” fabric. The quilts were unique and awesome.

99 quilts were on display. They were all truly a feast for the eyes and covered all genres including hand quilting, appliqué, precision piecing and art quilts. Visitors lingered and visited some quilts over and over. Visitors eagerly and attentively participated in the demonstrations hosted by the guild members. Cameras were everywhere and flashing nonstop.

At the end of the day, the beautiful donation quilt was headed to Buffalo, New York where it will have a loving home. Although those who did not get to take the donation quilt home were disappointed, the memories of the 2005 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show will more than compensate. It was truly a show to remember.

For more information about the Brown Sugar Stitchers, visit http://www.quiltsites.com/brownsugarstitchers.htm

Link

BSS 2005 Donation Quilt

Gees Bend Quilts

When the quilts of Gees Bend exploded onto the artistic consciousness of the nation, a raging debate broke out in my quilt guild. Was this really art? Why do we have to have a white man tell us it’s art? Why did they pick something with such poor workmanship?

Whatever the answer to those questions, it appears the quilts are here to stay. They have become a licensing, mass marketing extravaganza with rugs and other household items utilizing the designs. The quilts will be in my city Atlanta, March, 2006 at the High Museum of Art no less. Who would have thought that some quilts some black women made could be exhibited in the same building as the great masters. That’s a good thing.

For me, the quilts opened my eyes to a different way to look at my grandmother’s quilts. Did she know she was creating works of art? Of course not! Her quilts were designed to keep us warm in the winter. Without the influence of the quilts of Gees Bend, maybe I would not have seen the value of preserving Clara’s quilts for her great-grandchildren and their children.

With 50 years of hindsight, old things become new. Ordinary things become art.

Clara's Shoo Fly Quilt

61 x 72 inches

Circa 1960



Clara’s Shoo Fly consists of 15 shoo fly blocks bordered by sashing strips; Red, yellow and blue are dominant colors. There are alternating solid red squares. The quilt has a plain white muslin back. A yellow outer border forms a fold-over binding. It is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern.

Here's Clara's Shoo Fly Quilt!

Clara's Shoo Fly

Clara’s Half Square Triangles

69 x 75 inches

Circa 1960


20 scrappy half square triangle blocks form Clara’s Half Square Triangles. The blocks are set off by orange sashing and an orange inner border. The red outer border forms the fold-over binding. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in grid pattern. It has a plain white muslin back. The quilt is very frayed around the edges.

Take a look at Clara's Half Square Triangles

Clara's Half square Triangles

Clara's Waves of the Sea

75 x 75 inches
circa 1960


64 Waves of the Sea blocks form Clara’s Waves of the Sea. The theme is carried out with a turquoise and cream stripe color scheme. The turquoise flower fabric is used on the border and also used on the back of the quilt. The back folds over to the front of the quilt to form the binding, and it is machine stitched. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. Some staining

Take a look at Clara's Waves of the Sea!

Waves of the Sea

Here's Clara’s Diamond Star

67 x 75 inches
circa 1960



Clara’s Diamond Star has 16 blocks -- 7 lavender, yellow and red diamond star blocks, 5 lavender, white and red star blocks. Orange and lavender sashing divide the blocks. The quilt has a lavender inner border and a red outer border that forms fold-over binding. The red border is pieced with different fabric in one corner as if she ran out of the red border fabric. The quilt is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern.

Clara's Diamond Star

Clara's Sunbonnet Sue

67 x 75 inches

circa 1960



Clara’s Sunbonnet Sue has 12 Sunbonnet Sue blocks with alternating solid red and white blocks. A red border frames the sides. The green outer border forms a fold-over binding. The quilt has a plain muslin back. It is hand quilted with white thread in a grid pattern. A buttonhole stitch used on Sue’s arm and hat.

Clara's Sunbonnet Sue