Redwork Cartoon Characters

Redwork Figures Straight from the “Funny Papers”

by Patricia L. Cummings

photo by James Cummings

A unique Redwork quilt reveals a quilter's sense of humor, love of country life
and penchant for fanciful designs!

Recently, an irresistible quilt surfaced at an estate sale held at the former home of Bernice Berkheiser Reeder (1917-2011), Emmaus, (in Berk's County), Pennsylvania. This particular Redwork quilt includes a number of prominent comic strip characters of the twentieth century. Other designs in the quilt call to mind a possible association with fairy tales such as “the Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Ugly Duckling.”At least one nursery rhyme is represented and other blocks demonstrate the quilt maker's love of farm animals. Evidently made to be enjoyed by a young person during the 1930s/1940s, this charming twin size bed quilt measures 75 inches x 64 inches.

Redwork Cartoon Characters Quilt 

Mrs. Reeder, a former silk mill employee who worked in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area, attached little notes to other objects found in her home after her death. For example, the hat she wore in 1935 on New Year's Eve has a paper attached to it that delineates all of her activities that evening. A set of bisque bride and groom figures are identified as having graced her wedding cake. Unfortunately, she left no written provenance to indicate who embroidered and hand-quilted this quilt. Since the lucky acquisition of this special vintage textile, we have been busy trying to identify some sources of its designs.

“Li'l Abner”

“Li'l Abner” (Yokum), the main character of a syndicated comic strip that ran from 1934 to 1977, is depicted on a quilt block in the top row. A product of the imagination of cartoonist Al Capp, Li'l Abner lives in the hillbilly haven of Dogpatch, Kentucky. Although handsome, one of Li'l Abner's goals is to avoid marriage even though he is pursued by willing young ladies. He continues to live at the home of his parents, Mammy and Pappy Yokum. Other characters featured in a film that I viewed include “Daisy Mae,” “Hairless Joe” and “Earthquake McGoo,” all very amusing!

“Maggie” and “Jiggs”

My husband, Jim, recognizes two side by side figures in the fourth row down as “Maggie” and “Jiggs” from the comic strip titled “Bringing Up Father.” These characters were first introduced by cartoonist George McManus circa 1911 and were firmly established in their own comic strip in 1913. Both the conflict and humor of the series centers on the million dollars that “Jiggs” won in a lottery. He was suddenly catapulted from the status of “shanty Irish” to “lace curtain Irish,” terms common in the twentieth century that amuse me as my paternal grandmother of Irish ancestry was fond of using them! In stereotypical fashion, Jiggs' social-climbing wife is unwillingly to allow him to continue hanging around with his Irish friends who frequent the local tavern and favor eating corned beef and cabbage (an Irish-American dish, not of Irish origin!).

“Blondie”

At the far right side of the fourth row down is a figure that looks like “Blondie,” often described as a “carefree flapper.” The popular slang word “flapper” is reserved for young ladies of the 1920s whose morality was sometimes questioned because of their short dresses, intake of alcohol, and performance of dances new at the time.” First drawn by Chick Young and first published in 1930, the “Blondie” comic strip features “Blondie Boopadoop.” According to wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, the name “Boopadoop” stems from a song popularized by singer Helen Kane in 1928. Blondie is later featured as Mrs. Bumstead, appearing in the series “Dagwood Bumstead,” as a married woman with two children, Alexander and Cookie, and a dog named “Daisy” with her pups.

“Popeye” and “Wimpy”

Some of the comic strip figures, such as “Popeye,” are readily recognizable. On a quilt block, his muscular arm seems to be at-the-ready to hit someone (perhaps the bully, Bluto, who was always trying to win over the affection of Olive Oil, Popeye's girlfriend. Those familiar with this character will remember his favorite song, a defining statement: “I'm Popeye the Sailor Man, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man, I'm strong to the finish cuz I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!”

On another block, an image of Popeye's friend “J. Wellington Wimpy,” is embroidered. He is better known as “The Moocher” whose main quest in life is to eat hamburgers, especially ones he can attain by trickery. His memorable line is “I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!”

“Mickey Mouse,” “Minnie Mouse” and “Dagwood”

Two Walt Disney stars who are “mouse” figures are featured in the sixth row down and need no introduction. One block over is “Dagwood Bumstead,” appears to be running. He made his debut in Chic Young's “Blondie” comic strip circa 1933. Dagwood is perhaps most remembered for his elaborate “Dagwood sandwich,” a specialty that he concocted that was stacked high with lunch meat and other ingredients. He is constantly tries to manage daily challenges like trying to get to work on time and having run-ins with other characters. He is especially protective of the virtue of his popular daughter, “Cookie,” who has many suitors.

Farm Animal Blocks

Variety of blocks is the name of the game for this unusual quilt. Included are many examples of farm animals. A calf with his head in a bucket, a cowboy on horseback wielding a lasso, a horse jumping a fence, a boy holding a watering can accompanied by his faithful canine companion, a pig with piglets, a goose and her goslings, a sheep and lambs, as well as a rooster, all call to mind life in the country. The former owner of this quilt appears to have loved farm animals. Both plastic and carved wood figurines of horses and cows were found as part of her collected items.

Animals: a Constant Theme

Several large dog designs remind me of “Lassie” but it is difficult to know whether or not that particular fictional dog inspired the blocks. “Lassie” was first introduced in the novel Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight in 1940. Three years later, the first Lassie movie was produced by MGM studios.

A dressed-up pig and a fish in a tuxedo are a couple of the more whimsical blocks. In Red & White: American Redwork Quilts, Deborah Harding identifies a similar image of a bunny holding a shovel as “Peter Rabbit.” The character is featured in the famous book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter, first created in 1893 and first published in 1901. According to Harding, the inclusion of this particular figure would date the quilt to sometime after 1910.

Various profiles of girls are present, some of which resemble figures seen on other nineteenth century quilts and some of which look like Sunbonnet Sue figures. A nursery rhyme block with the words, “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater,” is the same design that appears on a vintage Bluework child's quilt in my collection.

Public Records

In attempting to learn more about the woman who loved this quilt, the only tangible information came from public records. The obituary of Bernice E. (Berkheiser) Reeder (1917-2011) states that she was active in the Veteran's of Foreign Wars. She was married for 57 years to Bland W. Reeder (1916-1999), foreman in the slag plant of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He retired in 1978. The couple is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery (for veterans) in Annville, (Lebanon County) Pennsylvania.

The edges of the Redwork quilt show signs of being “well-used and well-loved.” Nonetheless, we are so happy that this precious quilt was saved! Its images are a window to the twentieth century life, a time of turbulence when keeping a sense of humor was crucial to one's sense of well-being. Newspapers at that time were an even more vital means of communication than today and readers could always find a chuckle in the slice-of-life comics section. One point is clear: the person who made this quilt enjoyed choosing these designs!

A Buy for the Soul

All things considered, at the present time this quilt is a favorite! After many washings, the quilt feels very soft to the touch. The batting has migrated, obscuring the lines of quilting from the front. However, in turning the quilt to the reverse side, it is apparent that the quilter drew designs that resemble flower petals as a guide for hand quilting each block from that side. I will enlist the help of readers to discover about this quilt. If anyone knows the origin of any of the other blocks, please feel free to contact me by writing to quiltersmuse@gmail.com Studying this quilt and trying to decipher its “mysteries” is certainly a lot of fun!

Copyright 2014. Patricia L. Cummings, Concord, NH. All rights reserved.

Why Do We Quilt?

Why are you a quilter? Is it because you enjoy the social aspects of it, being part of a group, or participating in show and tell, or displaying your latest masterpiece in a quilt show? Do you like to be recognized for your hard work, your intricate designs, your prowess with a needle? Are you a hand quilter who concentrates on getting more stitches per inch so as to be considered a "master quilter?" Do you enjoy machine work where you can overcome some of the disadvantages of working on a machine and learn to appliqué by machine or machine quilt the layers together?

Is quilting an emotional outlet, a way to pass time after the loss of a child, parent, or spouse? Do you quilt so "your heart won't break?" Do you choose patterns that have lots of pieces so you can keep track and set a record for the number of pieces in your pieced quilt? Do you like to use scraps from family member's clothing as a way to remember them? Do you use quilting as a means of political expression or to honor specific politicians? Do you include words on the surface of your quilt so others may better understand your viewpoints?

Do you like to include thread painting of animals on your quilts, a trend we are seeing lately in shows? Do you make multi-media quilts whereby part of the design is hand-painted, or embroidered?
Do you make "sane" quilts or "Crazy Quilts"...that is traditional pieced or appliquéd quilts or Victorian style quilts that are asymmetrically-pieced and often embroidered heavily. Do you make quilts that are humorous and likely to make others smile?

Do you work exclusively in one style of quilting, such as Hawaiian quilting, or do you branch out to other types of quilts? Are you an artist who uses quilting as a medium but are not a quilter, first and foremost? How concerned are you with creating pleasing color palettes or using precision in your work? Do you make quilts to sell? Do you finish quilts made by other people either by hand quilting or long arm machine quilting?

"Country Bride" quilt; Rachel Pellman pattern; queen size; hand appliquéd, hand quilted, scalloped edge;
made by Patricia L. Cummings. This was quilted to pass the time during "Desert Storm."

Will your work outlast you, or do you hope that it will? Are you careful about whom you give your work to, making sure that person will be a good caretaker of your creation? People quilt for many reasons and quilts survive whether attributed or not. Sometimes, in the heat of exchange by dealers, names of quilters get lost. This is a reason to document your own quilts with an identifying tag.

Those are a lot of questions to consider? I would hope that quilters think about the process and why they like to quilt. Many would say they quilt for "fun." We all love the finished products but quilting is not all that easy. To make beautiful quilts requires expertise and experience. We wish you joy in the endeavor of quilting. With so many quilters out there, including grandmothers who are making quilts for their grandchildren or anticipated great-grandchildren, there must be something to this thing we call "quilting." Quilts: wrap yourself in their love and feel the intensity of emotion that goes into making each one. Happy Quilting!

Uzbek Ceremonial Textile

Embroidered Textile from Uzbekistan

Patricia L. Cummings

The textiles of Uzbekistan are colorful, ceremonial, and practical. Chapans, a type of robe, are exquisitely-made. Much needlework is required to create the small bags that are used to carry the Al-Quran, the Holy Book of Islam, as well as other small things. Suzani are often a part of a woman's diary and can be useful, as in pillow covers, or decorative items to display on a wall. Traditional styles of dress vary with each region. A Koshukdon is a bag to hold silverware that hangs inside a yurt, a portable home used by nomads. Many of the items are silk adras, a combination of silk and cotton, or wool.

Chimildik  87" x 56"

We are happy to be able to show you a Chimildik that was used to decorate the front entrance to a yurt (portable housing for nomads) after a wedding to welcome the new couple. It dates from the early 20th century and is described as a "rare Suzani." Hand-dyed silk and cotton, dyed with natural substances were used. The piece is heavily embroidered. The base is velvet and is bordered by silk ikat-adras, as described by the former owner. This type of work combines Uzbek and Kirghiz techniques.

The Dutch National Skirt

The Dutch National  Skirt – A Means to Remember

Patricia L. Cummings

After the end of World War II, a woman in the Netherlands, Mrs. Mies Boissevain-van Lennep (1896-1965), a feminist, a social activist, and a resistance fighter during the war who gave refuge to Jewish children and others, instituted a program whereby Dutch women would construct patchwork skirts in a type of Crazy Patchwork style. Each skirt would be composed of pieces of cloth that had a memory associated with them. Perhaps, the fabric had been part of a shirt or other garment of someone who had been taken away by the Nazis, never to have been seen again.

A National Movement Inspired by a Scarf

The making of skirts became a national movement.  The women were asked to embroider the date “5 mei 1945” on the front of the skirt (the date represents Liberation Day on May 5, 1945). Each skirt was required to have a set of triangles to serve as the bottom hem and those were to be embroidered with the date that the skirt was worn for either special family occasions or public events such as the Queen’s Jubilee or the National Memorial Day.

Dutch National Skirt with embroidered dates on the orange triangular hem to indicate when the skirt was worn.

For her efforts of harboring refugees, Mrs. Boissevain was arrested in 1943 and sent to two different German-run concentration camps. At the first camp, her laundry packet from home included a patchwork scarf that had been made for her. After seeing how much joy the colorful patches brought to her fellow inmates, she was inspired. The scarf was confiscated but lived on in memory and is credited with being an incentive for the Dutch National Skirt.

Registry of Skirts Established

Mrs. Boissevain paid a high price for her political/social activities. Her husband was also arrested and sent to a camp where he died, and her two sons and a nephew were executed. After the war she was not dissuaded from further involvement in causes.  She encouraged the establishment of a National Registry of the skirts. Of the 4,000 skirts made, perhaps no more than 100 exist, some in private collections and some in museums. An Moonen, a Dutch textiles and quilts specialist, has one from her aunt. Each skirt was stamped, numbered, and given a card.

The skirts were seen as a means of healing and comfort to families, and a way to provide the solidarity needed for reconstruction of the country.

Names of Skirts

They were called feestrok (Festival Skirt); or in Holland, were also known by three different names which, translated, mean “skirt of life,” “liberation skirt,” or “orange skirt.” The latter is a reference to the House of Orange from which the royal monarchs (Queen Wilhemina and her daughter, Princess Juliana) had descended. When skirts were brought to the United States to be put on display in 1948, the name “The Magic Skirt of Reconstruction” was assigned them, according to Jolande Withius of Amsterdam, Netherlands in her research paper “Patchwork Politics in the Netherlands, 1946-50: women, gender and the World War II trauma [1].”

Interpretation of Embroidery of One Skirt, Seen Online

My Dutch-born friend, the late Hendrika van Dongen, who lived through World War II in her parents' basement, subsisting on tulip bulbs during the “hunger winter of 1944-1945,” spotted a lion Dutch Coat of Arms. The initials “J” and “B” stand for Queen Julianna and her husband, Bernat, who was German-born.  Van Dongen said there is a reference to church bells being silent (not tolling), probably because metals were confiscated to make armaments for the combatants. There is an image of food parachutes that dropped white bread in the center of the city. [Parachutes can also represent English troops being dropped from the sky]. The words “Bent but not broken” are embroidered on that particular skirt, used to describe a flagpole, as well as the attitude of the Dutch people, she said. The word “mof” is slang and means “rotten German” and is a word her father, a school teacher, used a lot. The skirt was formerly visible on an online website.

about.com quilting Entry

At an antiques market (in the Netherlands?) some years ago, a woman named Marianne found a patchwork skirt with the embroidered date of 5 mei 1946. She recognized the item as being a Dutch National Skirt. She knew the background of the woman who started the movement, and to accompany a post on about.com quilting, she added a photo of her [Mrs. Boissevain] when she was on tour in New York. [During her U.S. tour, she compared color to vitamins, calling them “a life necessity,” according to Withius' paper.]

The other photo she posted was of two skirts in a museum. She states “Mine is very similar to the right one. The patches are sewn on a foundation, the seams are folded inside and with white thread and a straight stitch is sewn very close to the edge. (It wasn’t made by a quilter…),” she adds, “But I’m very happy to have found this piece of history.” Marianne did not divulge what her nationality is or in what country she found the skirt.

Summary

The trend of making the skirts lasted only a few years. There is one skirt that was collected by the Fries Verzetsmuseum that was made by Mrs. De Jong-Bronwer. She embroidered very violent and tragic scenes and included the Nazi swastika. The museum owns two of these skirts. At least five or six museums in the Netherlands are saving Dutch National skirts in their collections. They are a reminder when women joined together to have one “voice,” that of harmony. They even sang the “National Skirt” song that has three verses some of which say, “Plait into your skirt the pattern of your life,” and “Shape your skirt a together connectedness.” Yes, connectedness and solidarity were the watchwords of the Dutch National skirt phenomena. The skirts are all but forgotten today but they continue to show the importance of textiles in our lives.

See a photo of Dutch National skirt at: http://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/nl/kinderen/voorkant/bevrijding/bevrijding-feestrok

Additional links:

http://www.collectiegelderland.nl/organisaties/bevrijdingsmuseum/voorwerp-3.2.21

http://www.dtnt.nl/kleding/De-nationale-bevrijdingsrok

http://www.openluchtmuseum.nl/ontdek-het-museum/collectie-voorwerpen/object-van-de-maand/bevrijdingsrok/

http://centraalmuseum.nl/ontdekken/object/?img_only=1#o:20971

"Seven Daffodils"

Daffodils in our yard

Travelin' on with the Weavers (Loom Productions Inc., 1966) is a songbook that features folk songs including "Seven Daffodils." The song was written by Fran Moseley with music by Lee Hays. One of the verses says:

Seven golden daffodils
All shining in the sun
To light the way to evening
When our day is done.

Refrain:

And I will give you music
And a crust of bread
A pillow of piney boughs
To rest your head.

In our yard there are two patches of daffodils, the ones the bloom first, up near the house in a sheltered place; and those that bloom across the yard where the tall bushes shelter them from direct sun. They are cheerful little things and for us the first harbinger of spring along with the Glory of the Snow little blue flowers which always compete with being the first to open.

It seems appropriate that daffodils would find their way into a  love song that ends with:

But I will show you morning
On a thousand hills
And kiss you, and give you
Seven daffodils.

The Weavers is a performing group that will not soon be forgotten. Their folk music is timeless. Some of my favorite songs appear on the pages of the two songbooks of theirs that I own.

Happy spring!

Quilts as Message Conveyors

Signature Quilts made for a specific person are perfect places to write messages of love and appreciation. In future years, the messages will bring remembrance and a fondness for the past. The most famous Signature Quilts are the Baltimore Album Quilts made in the 1850s for departing ministers of the Methodist Church who had served in the Baltimore area. I can think of many other quilts of this type that I have either seen or participated in making over the last 30 years. Today, I am writing this blog to share one touching statement that is from a quilt made in 1850 in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

"May the sweet gales of happiness bear you safely down the currents of time and land you gently on the shores of eternity."

The late Lucinda Cawley had recorded this message while viewing the quilt on display and shared it with an online list afterward. She was known for her travels to see quilts and her lengthy and much-appreciated descriptions of what she had seen. Like all of our dearly departed quilt friends, we certainly hope that she landed "gently on the shores of eternity."

This Friendship Quilt has birthday wishes

"The Meaning of Forever": the UGRR Myth

This is a reprint of an essay I wrote in 2006 about the "secret quilt code." I am posting this today in response to a photo in a recent issue of a popular quilting magazine which shows a copy of the disputed book Hidden in Plain View, a book based on the "pure speculation" of the author that a code existed as stitched into quilt blocks that provided slaves directions for escape: where to go and how to act, specifically.

"The Meaning of Forever" - an essay written in 2006

by Patricia L. Cummings

Like war, taxes and the dust in my house, the Hidden
in Plain View Myth will go on and on amid
false claims, disgruntlement and complaints. I
don't like unpleasantness but I also did not create
this situation. The responsibility for that lies
elsewhere. To lie down in the road only to be run over by a
10 wheeler truck of deception is a little much to
ask.

As far as explaining why the secret quilt code is not
feasible, in terms of quilt blocks and their names,
I've already made a stab at doing that on my website
and in magazines available for anyone to read. If someone
has more information about those historical details,
that has not already been provided, please share it with me.

As a quilter and needleworker, I am a creative person,
and this whole HIPV issue has been a major sidetrack.
Yet, I've taken time from my own work to keep
addressing the issue, ONLY because it keeps coming up.
However, the fact remains that my words either preach
to the choir, as I had said previously, or tick off
those who are not in accord with my opinions and those
shared by serious quilt historians and historians of American
history. We all have been working hard to dispel the myth.

Today, I shall go into my studio to work on something
lovely. I shall play enchanting Celtic music, and I'll
try NOT to think of this thorn-in-the-foot topic. I shall
also give a silent prayer of thanks for ALL of
you. Isn't it great that we live in a country where
the voices of ALL can be heard? The price of your
personal freedom has been great and continues because
of the sacrifices of many!

One name of this block is "Bear's Paw"

My Thoughts Today

Since 1999, the secret quilt code as purported by Raymond Dobard in his book Hidden in Plain View has taken on a life of its own, promoted by individuals who have neither read the book nor are quilt historians (those who understand the time frame of some of the quilt pattern designs mentioned, some of which are 20th century designs not in use at the time period of the Underground Railroad). Worst of all, perhaps, was a book by Eleanor Burns: Underground Railroad Quilts. The book built upon the legend by providing designs for quilters to make a so-called "Underground Railroad Quilt."

I am appalled that after all of the public discussion of this topic that people are still "true believers" of the quilt code. It is as though the book(s) have a cult following. It must be easier to believe this sanitized view of Black History than to reconcile oneself to the viciousness and hatred and domination that prevailed toward Blacks at the time they were attempting to escape. My writings on this topic are a matter of record, having appeared in magazines (illustrated articles), and (previously) online.

I revisit the topic here, years later, as a reminder that like "dust," the story seems never ending. Why should it? I understand that there are still presenters who give lectures on this topic and their stories get more and more elaborate (and made of wholecloth) with each presentation. My main objection is that the code is taught in schools as Gospel truth. It is such a shame to feed baloney to our children. I predict that the secret quilt code shall be present in our lives forever.

Crazy Quilt Block to Remember Mother

Greetings from New Hampshire,

Crazy Quilting was considered the first form of "art" quilting and to some extent reflects the aesthetics of the Japanese penchant for asymmetry, first noted at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Recently, I posted a photo of my latest Crazy Quilt (just a block) which is more of an tangible expression of emotion than a quilt for quilting's sake. You see, when I made the quilt, I was remembering my mother. I wrote an article about the experiences of her life, late in the game, and I include a photo of the quilt block. What is art, if not to express our reflections and responses to life?

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/A-Crazy-Quilt-Block-to-Remember-Mother.html

 

Best regards,

Patricia L. Cummings

http://www.quiltersmuse.com

Bunnies and Easter

Bunnies in Redwork Embroidery

On this Easter weekend I am wondering how bunnies ever became associated with chocolate and how the Easter bunny's bringing candy of all sorts ever started. We love bunnies! They are cute, cuddly, and usually don't make any noise. They are soft, fun to watch when they are hopping about or eating.

On antique coverlets, I have seen plenty of bunnies including the mother and babies design above, rendered in Redwork, a perfect medium for catching the "expressions" on their faces, don't you think?

Happy Easter, if that is a holiday you celebrate. It is a day more special than Christmas to Christians inasmuch as the idea that Jesus rose from the dead gives hope to all of eternal salvation.

Easter will be a tad colder than usual here in New England. We are waiting for the weather to warm up but it is still in the 40s and windy. Wherever you are on Easter, I wish you a happy day filled with joy!

The Demise of The Quilter Magazine

In September 1999, All-American Crafts published an article in Traditional Quilter magazine that I wrote about a Temperance quilt top for which I provided the pattern. The editor told me that if I ever wanted to publish anything else to please let her know as she would be interested. The next issue found an article I wrote about an unusual potholder I found and re-created. It was the most clever thing I have ever seen to the point that it could never be duplicated exactly because of its unusual 19th century fabrics. Again, the editor mentioned that if I ever wanted to submit anything else she would like first dibs.

As time went on, I submitted more than 90 articles (in Traditional Quilter, The Quilter, Fabric Trends, and Scrap Quilt Favorites) and I loved researching old quilts and sharing what I found out about them. I wrote about other textiles, as well, such as hankies, Hmong work, and political quilt blocks, to name a few topics. Sometimes, I provided a pattern. To say that I was "invested" in All-American Crafts and in particular, The Quilter magazine, would be an understatement. I loved the magazine and had a great working relationship with the staff.

I was told that on 8-8-2014, the CEO called employees together and told them the magazine had declared bankruptcy. It was a sad day for many. In a small company such as that, the regular employees are also 'invested" and committed to making the enterprise a "go." However, in these trying financial times, there was no money to pay the printer and he decided not to print any more magazines on credit.

An article that I wrote about Grandma Moses and her quilts and needlework was to have run in two parts, Part 1 scheduled for that next issue. All of my work of research and a trip to Bennington Museum to photograph the artifacts was about to go down the tubes as was the high cost, already paid by the magazine, fees charged by Galerie St. Etienne who controls the legal right to any reproductions of Moses' work.

I wondered if Bennington Museum would be interested in featuring a research paper in their Walloomsack Review publication. The museum owns the lion share of most of Moses' paintings and most all of her other items. They were happy to include some of the information I'd uncovered and that will be published on or about April 21. So, not all is lost. I am just sorry that the photos will be fewer and will not be in color in the interior of the publication as is the case of most academic journals. Yet, the images will give you an idea of the diversity of Moses' work.

Still and all, I feel sorry that The Quilter folded. It was an honest publication with a hard-working team of editors who strove hard to "get it right" when it came to pattern directions and manuscripts. Personally, I had a good run of 15 years, nothing to sneeze at. I was able to write some wonderful articles, some of them ground-breaking. I am proud of my work and I hope it will be useful to future researchers.

This post reflects my opinions and information insofar as I know it to be true. In the course of human endeavors, everything is always more complicated that it first seems. I have presented this account in the interest of readers who may have wondered what happened to their subscriptions. We all loved the products of All-American Crafts and for a very long time, the magazine filled a gap by offering quilt history articles to the general public whereas most other magazines concentrated mostly on pattern offerings. We are sorry to see The Quilter's demise.

Patricia Cummings

Spring is Here!

Spring is here and we are thinking about flowers and the upcoming gardening season. We are still enjoying the gardening efforts of last year. The packets of raspberries and blackberries and rhubarb in the freezer accompany green beans from the garden and believe it or not, we are still eating Butternut Squash from that same garden. We are blessed with good soil and a great climate for growing things.

Jim started Celeriac seeds weeks ago and the little plants are awfully cute. He has them under a grow light where I also keep African Violets and some cacti plants. All of this made me remember some photos Jim took in 2007 of flowering plants in the yard, one of which was a Poppy. I asked him to "find" the photo file and print out the image on Quilted Treasures transfer paper. I plan to make a pillow with the small panel that resulted.

This image was transferred to fabric and will become part of a small pillow. Photo by James Cummings

The daffodils are poking up and budding up among the myrtle by the side of the house. About a month ago, Jim brought home from the grocery store a bundle of Daffodils from Ireland. They were the burst of sunshine we needed. What a change from the long dreary winter of being shut in most of the time and happy that I did not have to go out to work like others who braved the icy, snowy roads to do so. I have never looked forward more to spring in my entire life. It was a very rough winter here in New England.

Think spring and warm weather!

Snow

Snow in southern Vermont, March 7, 2015

This photo was sent to me by Charlotte Croft, a friend in Vermont who is also tired of seeing snow. This shows her wood pile covered. We are all ready for warmer weather here in the northeast. Looks like no more snow is in sight according to the last weather reports and temps next week may offer day time numbers in the 40s - all good news.

We love to see the first snowfall and certainly, everyone feels more in the spirit of the holidays when there is snow on the ground. By March, after backbreaking shoveling or emptying one's pocketbook to let the professionals take care of snow, we are ready for sunshine.

My husband ordered garden seeds a few weeks ago and is already trying to sprout some Celeriac under grow lights. Ever the optimist, he sees spring on its way and is probably counting the days until mud season is over (the 5th season in New England).

I do not remember when snow reached a level above the window sills or so many roofs collapsed under the weight of it or there were so many traffic accidents shown on television, across the nation. The old timers used to say that "Snow is God's manure" meaning that snow has micro-nutrients that enrich the soil. Be that as it may, we shall have snow in our yards for at least a few more weeks but as the sun gets stronger it will finally melt, much to the glee of most of us by now. Meanwhile, some of us are making quilts. I enjoy seeing all of the quilts, old and new, that can be seen online.

Patricia Cummings

Book Review: Mi Amor Legacy Applique

Mi Amor Legacy Applique by Margarete Heinisch is an AQS Publication that offers block by block instruction for a variety of Baltimore Album style quilt blocks. The book includes a CD-ROM. Enchanted by the cover, I fell in love with so many of the blocks featured there. A nice variety of blocks include a peacock, baskets of flowers, symmetrical flower blocks, blocks with musical instruments, ships, hearts and more. The result of making these blocks is a beautiful quilt that is nicely quilted. I particularly like the eagle and the flag block. A block with just one large butterfly looks outstanding.

This is an ambitious project. One would have to be an avid applique and needle artist to want to attempt it. For me, the book is eye candy and a study of the continuation of historical motifs traditionally used in that style of quilting so popular during the late 1840-early 1860 period known as Baltimore Album Quilts. The book would be a lovely one to add to your library and may just give you inspiration on a cold winter's day.

Patricia Cummings

New Website Tells History of Quilts

http://worldquilts.quiltstudy.org

A new website titled "World Quilts" is just being launched to tell the history of quilts worldwide. It is a collaborative effort of scholars associated with the International Quilt Study Center. This announcement was made in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, February/March 2015. With any luck, photos and descriptions will advance the discussion of quilts.

The Waltons' Quilting Party

Every now and then when I want to feel really good about the past I play the DVD of one of the episodes of the Waltons. The gist of the story is that grandma has been saving and collecting quilt blocks to make a quilt for Mary Ellen when she gets married. When grandma mentions that a-quilting will be at hand, the would-be recipient of the quilt gets in a stir. No, she does not want to get married and have babies, do dishes and laundry. She has her eye on more lofty things to do. She would like to do something more important by becoming a nurse.

After all of the fuss and hurt feelings, Mary Ellen "comes around" and decides to sit in on the quilting bee, next to grandma. At the end of the show, all of the family members arrive singing the song "Seein' Miss Nelly Home" (from the quilting party). Grandpa is dancing as is everyone else when they barge in the door in an exuberant fashion. It was a happy scene and one I won't forget any time soon.

I love shows like the Waltons whose themes are timeless and whose strong family values are apparent. The show may seem "old" now because, after all, the older characters have passed on and the younger ones are all well into adulthood. For me, I never tired of seeing the cast. They capture a moment in time and stories that still need to be told today!

Patricia L. Cummings

Autumn Leaves Quilt by Tamara S.

For many years now I have corresponded with Tamara Shployanska, a master quilter originally from Ukraine, now residing in Germany where she teaches quilting techniques. Yesterday she sent a photo of a recently-completed quilt that I thought you might enjoy seeing.

Patricia Cummings

"Too Old Too Soon..."

There is a saying "Too old too soon, too late too smart." When we are young, we think we know it all and that we have already experienced all that life has to offer. That is never true especially if we count the weeds as well as the flowers. Certainly, no one is ever ready to not be able to "see" as well as before, yet many older adults are forced to have cataract surgery to improve their vision after years of use have clouded the lenses of their eyes with a "fog" like substance.

The operation is usually very short at the hands of a skilled surgeon who performs it in an operating room at a hospital. The before care and after care are vital to the operation's success. The doctor will warn against heavy lifting, no driving, and the use of specific eye drops for awhile. Friends who have had the operation state that it has had very good results for them. An artificial lens is placed within the eye and will be a permanent fixture...forever.

Some things, like memory, can fail as we age. Memory games designed to improve memory seem to be just enjoyable pastimes with no real effect on memory gain.

One thing is certain, aging is not for ninnies. It takes courage to face all of the new health challenges constantly being presented. "Too old too soon, too late too smart." Yes, in the end we know a lot more but then again, who is asking for our opinion or advice? The young already know it all! If you are looking for me, I'll be quilting!

Change

As the old year turned to a new one, I spent some time thinking about the inevitability of change. As humans, we like to feel that we can control life circumstances. We tell ourselves that our feelings of security will increase if only we acquire more financial resources or more education. While money can help to change certain things in our lives, it is not the total answer. You see, we cannot control the destiny of our lives or the ones we love.

A friend tells me that every day something catastrophic happens on earth: a plane goes totally missing with no trace; there are cyber threats and other threats that are dealt with by a watchful military. There are fires in factories and hotels. Just turn on the television for a short time and it is easier to learn all of the domestic-related violence that is going on in your own neck of the woods.

In all of this, the good news is that we can make small changes every day that will add up to improved health. Skip the piece of cake and take a walk - easier said than done! Make resolutions but not long-term ones. One can keep a resolution for just a day. If you have a stack of thank you notes to write, prepare one a day until they are all sent.

Some changes are much bigger than us. We cannot control if or when a loved one will die. None of us is ready for such a life-changing event.

One of the important lessons of life, according to a dear friend who is 89 years old is to realize that we are all ALONE. Ultimately, we have to come to this conclusion. No matter what age we become, we cannot depend on children or any caregiver to change that overwhelming feeling that just will not quit and is all the more reason to have continued interests in the world and in current associates. The key to a happy life is involvement and ever-present education through television, the Internet and books.

My wish for you in 2015 is for you to be invested in your own life and its development. Make sure you are an "investigator" who has a willingness and openness for more learning. Best wishes for happiness and for increased health. May 2015 be the best year ever!

Patricia Cummings

Christmas

The Christmas story is a triumphant one which centers on poverty. The parents of Jesus were so poor they stayed in a lowly barn surrounded by barn animals giving off the only heat in the place via their breath. The shepherd, guarding his flock by night, was poor money-wise but enriched by the sight of the newborn King. The Magi, the Three Kings, arrived from afar to pay tribute to a "King" who would ultimately be scourged and crucified as the "King of the Jews." Don't forget that Jesus was Jewish!

Today, we often overlook the roots of Christmas a day celebrated since the 4th century on December 25 when the then Pope set that date to compete with the Winter Solstice activities of the pagans. In those dark days of the year, we long to see light and color.

What does Christmas mean to you? To some it is office parties, or getting drunk, or shopping to excess with credit cards. To others, like me, it is a time of solemn reflection of the year just past and a questioning of just how "good" I have been throughout the past year. To some it is all about getting gifts and for others, giving them. We often weigh and ponder for months beforehand just what items would bring pleasure to our friends and relatives and then set to work either making those gifts or making phone calls to vendors.

I like the pause, the break in the hustle and bustle, as we ponder the Christ child in the manger. Ultimately, the holiday is about him, not about our own greed or preoccupation with material goods. There will be time in the ensuing days after Christmas to try to return clothes that were not the right size, candles that were not quite the right color, or duplicate items that we really wanted so badly, we may have told more than one person.

In the midst of all of the commercialism, the new electronic "toys" etc., I hope that you will take the time to think of the words of "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem," a peaceful and peace-giving song for the ages. It is fun to give presents, a tradition of Christmas started by the Magi, after all. But there is more to celebrating the holiday than eating rum cake and drinking egg nog.

I wish you a very rich Christmas steeped in the traditions of your own family. While listening to "Holly Jolly Christmas" please take a moment to realize once again that Jesus is at the center of the celebration and a message of peace. The jolly old man has to take a back seat. In fact, the Santa tradition, the Christmas tree, and many of the ways we celebrate the holiday stem from practices started in the 19th century.

However you enjoy the holiday, we hope that this Christmas day is the happiest ever for you no matter where you are or how much or how little you may have materially. Joy and peace are the gifts of the season and the message of Christianity: that a savior was born into the world to save all sinners and bring eternal life. No greater gift could be given by anyone.

Best wishes to my Jewish friends in their celebration of Chanukah - the Festival of Lights, and to all other people in the world who observe holy days during this time of the year.

Newly-Published Book Perfect for Fireside

Wild Hen Turkeys are never "in season" in New Hampshire

Happy Thanksgiving! We have been celebrating all week with specialty foods of the season like egg nog, cut-up-veggies and various dips. While the rest of the crowd is on the road to somewhere tomorrow, we will be in our cozy abode cooking a turkey and watching the snow flakes come down. Looks like our area will get at least 8-12 inches of snow, if not more.

When we go into hibernation mode, that is the time to find a good book to read. My pick of the week is Quilters Questions: A Book of Curious Queries by Kyra E. Hicks (Black Threads Press, 2014). The back says that the book "is perfect for quilters of any age or skill level. Paced with delightful, humorous, and thought-provoking questions, this engaging read will provide hours of fun and conversation. Explore topics ranging from quilter identity, creative inspiration, collaboration, legacy and more!"

There are 322 questions and some blank pages for the reader to write in their own questions. This book is a lot of fun! Admittedly, I have only had time to look through about 1/3 of the book but one of the great features is that the reader can come back to the book at anytime without a sense of interruption. The size of the book would make it a great stocking-stuffer for the holidays. If I have not convinced you to purchase a copy yourself, perhaps you can drop a hint to a friend or family member who is seeking gift ideas for you -- the quilter of the family!

We are feeling blessed by friends and family this year. From our home to yours, best wishes to you that you enjoy the holidays.

Pat & Jim

New Exhibit and Other Things

These days, the quilts of Gerald Roy are getting around. At the moment, one can view his doll bed/quilt collection at the Warner (NH) Historical Society from Nov. 1 to Dec. 7, each Friday and Saturday, 10-4 p.m. and each Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

At the moment I am thrilled to have discovered a local musician with a lot of talent. He writes and performs his original music scores. His name is Craig Werth and his name came to my attention via the Deerfield (NH) Forum that was advertising an upcoming coffeehouse event where he will perform. After listening to a couple of his songs online, I was hooked and ordered two of his CD-ROMs. I am always looking for good music to play while I am hand quilting that enormous white wholecloth quilt I have been working on. When I am done, it will have thousands of stitches!

Jim is harvesting what remains in the garden. The carrots he will store in sand along with the Jerusalem Artichokes and beets, too. On this chilly night, he has prepared Leek and Potato Soup. The potatoes are "Fingerling" potatoes which are tiny and very tasty.

I am feeling joyful as I write this blog and so blessed with the happiness that this time of year seems to bring, a kind of closeted feeling of "batting down the hatches" and enjoying the simple things of life. I can structure my time any way I wish, a blessing of not having to go "out" to work. Since losing my free-lance work with The Quilter because the magazine declared bankruptcy, I have taken time off from writing. I am, however, reading, the latest book a gift of a dear friend, is called The Telling Room. I love the author's style of writing. He is very descriptive and the book drew me in from the first page.

I count my blessings via friends I have made and creative activities in which I engage every day. I hope you are enjoying the autumn as much as we are. Frequent trips to the nearby orchard help to fill our days with happiness. There is nothing like a freshly-picked McIntosh apple.

My writings may be sporadic but I am still here and will post when something exceptional is worth drawing your attention. Stay tuned. Be happy!

Patricia Cummings

The Color Orange Takes the Day!

"My Jubilee" by Regan Martin won Best of Show!

One of the first quilts that we saw when entering this year's quilt show by the Cocheco Quilt Guild was an orange and white quilt. I love that color combination. It reminds me of Creamsicles! The quilt made by Regan Martin won Best of Show 2014 and well it should have. "My Jubilee" measures 84" x 71" and was assembled and machine quilted by the maker.

The surprise came while viewing the back of the quilt. We certainly hope that the winner helped herself to some Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk to celebrate the win! Wonderful quilt!

Shelburne Museum Visit

This week we drove up to the Burlington, NH area to visit relatives and to see the quilt exhibits at Shelburne Museum. The first one we visited was a large hall filled with quilts, textiles, and clothing related to the Civil War. I enjoyed seeing a havelock, in person, having read so much about them and how the soldiers hated wearing them. A havelock is a white headgear that was supposedly going to help northern soldiers in staving off the sun's beating heat of the south.

There were a lot of costumes and other things in the exhibit. I found the signage to be a bit too small to read even though my eyesight is 20/20 when wearing corrective lenses. The roping around the quilts, etc. also made it difficult to get close enough to actually read the signs. I recognized some of the quilts (like the James George quilt) donated to the U.S.S. Sanitary Commission; and one of the so-called "gunboat" quilts that served as a fundraiser in the south. It was a nice array of Civil War artifacts gathered from many lending institutions.

Pat Cummings at Shelburne Museum

In the same building, downstairs, is an exhibit of Amish star quilts. The Amish do not celebrate the individuality of people, probably the reason no signage was in place to reveal the makers of the quilts.

From there we walked over to the hat and fragrance shop. In front of the building, the herbs were smelling intensely-fragrant as it had just stopped raining. Inside we viewed quilts from the permanent collection, a guest exhibit of Nancy Crow, and some other really interesting textiles. No photos were allowed of any of the special exhibits.

It was a very fun visit. The October foliage is, of course, gorgeous...even in the rain! We found a great place to stay and also enjoyed our visit with family. Had intended to go to a quilt show the next day but were not able to do so due to a chronic health condition (arthritis in my feet). We came home as happy campers who actually spent some quality time away from home on our vacation.

Happy Holiday Weekend

Patricia Cummings stands among quilts made by Gail Wilson in a special exhibit (a room full) of Wilson's quilts at the Monadnock Quilters' Guild, Peterborough, NH, October 12, 2014

This weekend we were able to attend two quilt shows in two states, Vermont and New Hampshire. Both of the shows were relatively small as shows go these days but each was very enjoyable! The trees were in full color as is usually the case on Columbus Day weekend. We could see tour buses loaded with tourists taking in the scenery, cameras in hand. Jim was no different. He would pull off the road here and there to take more photos. He was busy at the quilt show, too, taking photos of quilts he liked. What a glorious time! Those who only drove north to see leaves missed some colorful quilts!

Biblical Thoughts about the "Virtuous Wife"

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband
safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet
night,
And provides food for her household
And a portion for her
maidservants.
She considers a field and buys
it:
From the profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her
merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out
by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands
to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for
her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself:
her clothing is fine linen and
purple.
Her husband is known in the gates.
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments
and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the
merchants.
Strength and honor are her
clothing:
She shall rejoice in time to
come.
She opens her mouth with
wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law
of kindness.
She watches over the ways of
her household,
And does not eat the bread of
idleness.
her children rise up
and call her blessed:
Her husband also, and he
praises her:
"Many daughters have done
well,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty
is vain.
But a woman who fears the
LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise
her in the gates.

Dolls Remembered

Today I am thinking of the book Dolls Remembered to which I contributed a chapter in 2009. Happily, I wrote about a doll from my childhood and her importance in my life. Jim Cummings took a photo of "Miranda" for the book by Madonna Dries Christensen. Still available on amazon, the book has received all five star ratings by reviewers. One hundred per cent of the proceeds of the book go to support a Down's Syndrome facility located in Northern Virginia.

Doll from childhood, quilt designed by Patricia Cummings, photo by James Cummings

Do little girls play with dolls any more? The one shown here was "on display" on top of a tall bureau in her bedroom. She had no clothes but the sweetest, enchanting face. As an adult, I made the dress she is wearing. The quilt is one that I designed and made, inspired by an antique quilt. I allowed The Appliqué Society to publish a pattern for the quilt. I hope you enjoy seeing this photo. It certainly makes me smile. It was fun to find the dog bone fabric that I used for the borders.

Autumn: The Best Season of the Year

Autumn: The Best Season of the Year

Patricia Cummings

This photo shows a lovely autumn scene in Vermont of leaves blanketing the grass. Photo sent to us by Charlotte Croft

"The autumn leaves drift past my window; the autumn leaves of red and gold" are the words to a song that I sang in Glee Club in high school. Due to dry conditions, the leaves are showing a lot of early color and the rain and wind are sending them to the ground.

We love autumn and are looking forward to the quilt shows in New England. An exhibit not to miss is currently displayed at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. The title is "Homefront and Battlefield: Quilts of the Civil War." Some of the best quilts from that period are on display. If you missed the book written by Lynne Z. Bassett and Madelyn Shaw on this topic, hurry to find a copy. It is the best volume written on the subject.

Autumn is the season to take frequent trips to the orchard to buy those crispy MacIntosh apples, right off the tree; apple cider, and baked goods including Apple Crumble Pie. It is the time when folks who heat with wood are taking the time to split wood. Others (like us) are working on the exterior of the house. Today's efforts by Jim were to do some minor repairs to the front porch and wash everything, preliminary to painting tomorrow.

The cooler air is wonderful! So are the passersby who stop to say they like the new "look" of our house. In yellow, I suppose it makes a statement. In fact, I know that it makes a statement! I was so happy to learn that yellow was its original color.

As for me, I have been hand quilting in my den. I am working on a queen size quilt that was pre-marked. It will take forever to finish but I cannot wait for it to be done. Meanwhile, I am listening to Bob Dylan, Mozart, Paul Rausch, and other favorites while I stitch.

Outside is another story. The chickadees, winter birds for us, have arrived. I heard but did not see a Pileated Woodpecker. Those dinosaurs make a hearty sound when they start drilling for insects in wood surfaces. The Jerusalem Artichoke plants are probably 8 feet tall by now and are blooming, finally, with their sunflower-like petals. All is right in my world.

In the Mood for Yellow

In The Mood for Yellow

Patricia L. Cummings

Yellow and Green Hmong textile / photo by James Cummings

Yes, the house painting is coming along. It will be yellow! The house was always gray for as long as we've had it and long before that but it was fun to discover that it was first painted yellow. In my mind's eye I can picture the nice little family that first occupied it. The owner, who built the house, was a "Timber Reeves" and a mill owner. After living in Henniker, NH for a time, they moved her when the house was built and when their child was an infant. The builder was Abel J. Baker, Jr. His son became quite famous as a politician, newspaper owner, governor of New Hampshire, and during the Civil War, he served as Adjutant General in Iowa. I love this old house and all the secrets it holds within its walls.

Our home a long time ago when Elm trees dotted the countryside before succumbing to Dutch Elm disease.

The trim of the house will continue to be white and the new shutters will be green. The color certainly livens up the neighborhood. Passersby are stopping to say, "Looks great!" - music to the painter's ears. The color is gorgeous. Mostly, I love the name "Mark Twain" yellow.

A Yellow Treasure Quilt

Today, thinking about the color yellow, I added a file to my website about a "yellow treasure" (quilt) for which I have created a pattern. It is a beautiful rare quilt with quite a story. I hope you will take the time to read it. Previously, the tale was published in The Quilter magazine. The pattern is for sale as a downloadable pdf file.

I never realized how fond I am of yellow. I just ordered a yellow sweatshirt that has Cardinals and Chickadees on it. It looks cheerful!

This week I have been adding additional files to my website. If you have time, check out what I have been up to at Quilter's Muse Publications  http://www.quiltersmuse.com
I have lots of plan and now that Fall is here, I have more time to implement them. Stay tuned!

Happy Trails!

Anne of Green Gables: a refreshing story

A short while ago I became intrigued with a PBS series, a televised version of the (print) book titled Anne of Green Gables. The story takes place on Prince Edward Island and centers around a young girl who is too skinny, funny looking, and has long red braids and freckles. She is an orphan who has lived with this one and that and is adopted permanently from an asylum by an old maid, Marila, and her brother. Anne (with an "e") is a chatterbox and is a challenge to be around.

I have been reading the story in a book I picked up at a used books stores. It is charming! One part I really enjoyed was when Marila told Anne that she could not do anything else unless she finished her assigned "patchwork" for the day. Anne complained that sewing straight seams (by hand) was boring and she didn't like to do it.

If you are over 90 years old, you might recall having to do "stints" of sewing. "Stint" comes from olde English and refers to a prescribed length of time to engage in a task. In the "olde" days, young girls were required to accomplish their stint of sewing every day as part of chores. This is the first time I have heard of the practice in a written source (this novel geared to juniors).

The number of surviving schoolgirl Samplers are testimony to the fact that embroidery was also required and used to teach letters, numbers, and somber religious sayings that often mention death or the hereafter. Betty Ring was the consummate U.S. collector of Girlhood Samplers and wrote a number of lengthy and well-illustrated books about them. She died earlier this year and her collection was auctioned.

Sewing and embroidery would appeal to the more quiet types. "Anne" was more rambunctious and enjoyed being outside, picking flowers, making up little stories and names for everything in her environment. I can understand how happy she was to finally have a home. She was learning life's lessons at the hands of two old people who had never had children of their own yet had the patience to instruct her in the path of righteousness.

Interestingly enough, I switched on the television the other morning and saw an animated version of Anne of Green Gables. I am about half way through the (thick) book and really enjoy picking it up. Thought I'd share this information with you.

Throughout the book there are references to quilting:  carrying patchwork in one's apron to work on in spare moments; returning a quilting frame to Mrs. Lynde, etc. All of the descriptive phrases of nature are scrumptious. The book seems to really capture the scenery of Prince Edward Island and make one wish to visit there!

On the Death of Presidents

This past week we were able to view Ken Burns' series about "FDR," one of the country's greatest presidents. He was a true leader. Most everyone except for his own close personal friends and assistants did not even realize that the polio he'd contracted had left him totally paralyzed. He walked with someone on one arm and by jostling along, hurling his body forward with the assistance of a body brace. It was a Herculean effort for him to stand at a podium and give a speech. He had to choose his words carefully and he gave us words to remember "There is nothing to fear but fear itself." He lived those words.

In speaking with a dear friend this week, she recalled that she was just 19 years old when the news came of the president's death. She broke down and sobbed at the kitchen table. Her Dad told her to cuss instead. I am sure that when death visits anyone, it would be a normal human thing to express grief in more than one way. She recounts that her mother, who lived to be over 100 years old, had developed quite a litany of possible cuss words over time. Sometimes, nothing else will truly serve the purpose or address the intensity of emotion. To cry is to seem beaten down by life or by a circumstance.

The words are coming to me now: "Hell no, we won't go," the chant of draft dodgers in my generation during the Vietnam War.

I remember my own terrible experience of learning the news of the death of President John F. Kennedy. I was in the 7th grade. Our teacher pulled a TV set into the room and we learned that the president was rushed to surgery and then, the awful words that still ring in my head, "The president is dead." The fear that accompanies such a pronouncement is profound. There is a unsettled feeling of being at risk and in high personal danger, at such a time.

The two presidents shared many common attributes.

I so appreciate the work of Ken Burns. He just continues to make American history an intimate experience for Americans through his film making. My friend and I agreed that the series about "Teddy", Eleanor, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one that is worthwhile. As information has continued to be gathered over the years, these pivotal figures on the American scene are somehow made more accessible. History teaches us who we are and who we were, and those unfailing precepts of Democracy that holds our American system together. The 8 part program can be purchased via PBS.

Another Case of Fraud

The Internet can be a fun place to be, or not. Today, I was notified that a company by the name of bakebooks.com has stolen the contents of my print book, Sweetheart & Mother Pillows, has digitized it and is offering it IF the interested party provides their credit card number.

MY book is offered solely in a print format by the company that published it: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. The book has never been offered as a free download or in a digitized format.

Please be wary of thieves and never, ever provide a credit card number in trade for something advertised as "free." Thieves seem to be very abundant on the Internet these days.

If you would like an autographed copy of my book, please contact me at my e-mail address - quiltersmuse@gmail.com The price remains at the retail price set by the company who published the book: $24.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Thank you for reading this message. I hope it helps you to stay safe online.

Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster - New Hampshire's Own 1930s Quilt Historian

Ellen Emeline (Hardy) Webster
(1867-1950)

Her Amazing Quilt "Charts,"
Her Writings, and Her Life

a book on CD by Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings
and James Cummings

This book is about an extraordinary New Hampshire woman who was a professor of Biblical studies, loved antique quilts and wild birds, and was a fan of History, Mathematics, and Science. Her life and her discoveries have been researched by quilt historian, Patricia Cummings, and are chronicled in this massive document that consists of 355 pages and 340 photos. The book is sold on a CD-ROM disc and can be viewed on any computer.

This book is a must-have for anyone who is fascinated by life in the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century. Cummings transcribed all of the notations on the quilt charts and researched the meanings of the penciled notations found there. James Cummings served as photographer/photo editor for the book. The author relied on many sources to gather a complete picture of Mrs. Clarendon Webster's life. This book has something for everyone!

Testimonial about this e-book shared with permission of the author:

1-1-11: With Gloria Nixon's permission, I am sharing her happy note about the e-book, Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster (1867-1950): Her Amazing Quilt Charts, Her Writings, and Her Life by Patricia and James Cummings.

The book arrived yesterday, safe and sound. I started reading it while waiting for the new year to roll in and after catching a glimpse of the charts, didn't take my eyes off the screen until 3:00 a.m....WOW!  I was so anxious to see the quilt "charts" and was not disappointed. Your research is impeccable, Pat. The story entertains as it flows so easily from one subject to the next. I planned on doing a quick skim of the book but couldn't stop reading and reading and reading some more.
What a surprise to learn of Ellen's quilt lectures and her link to Florence LaGanke Harris! Jim did an outstanding job on the photography, too. Saying it is beautiful does not do justice to his work. A very impressive job from the both of you. Thank you for sharing the life and work of Ellen E. Webster with the quilt history world!  [...]. Thank you again, my dear Pat.  I love your book!

I always appreciate hearing from happy readers. It was my privilege and joy to learn more about Ellen Webster's life. She had been forgotten for a time by History and even presented as a shadow/ghost like figure in one television documentary. I was happy to be able to locate her true name and then the rest of my research flowed. Her name was not (ever) Emily Webster. That name had mistakenly been associated with her work. Her friend was Emily Webster Brown and her friend's sister was Ellen A. Webster (neither of the sisters were relatives to Ellen Emeline (Hardy) Webster). Her life is an intriguing tale. The book is laced with wonderful information and old photos. If you love history and that of New Hampshire/New England, you will love this book.

The price of the CD-ROM is $24.95 plus $3.00 shipping. For more information, please contact quiltersmuse@gmail.com

Underground Railroad "Story" Continues

Dismay and disdain continue to plague me whenever I see yet another so-called "Underground Railroad" quilt hung in a show; another woman duped by an untrue story about how slaves were helped along the Underground Railroad by seeing quilts hanging on a line or by following a "secret quilt code" that did not exist until the late 20th century when it was concocted by a retired lawyer, Ozella McDaniel Williams. Oh, but who cares about the details? Certainly not the people making quilts to celebrate how clever Blacks were back "in the day" when they took their plight into their own hands, attempting to escape their bondage.

My words about the matter appeared extensively in print and have been referenced in a Black journal.

Just so you are not mistaken, this is not a Black v. White issue. Rather, it is a matter of history and in particular quilt history. To my dismay, on March 19, 2015, somewhere in Iowa, a talk is scheduled called "Underground Railroad Quilts." Oh my! I am so happy that I am not attending. I wouldn't be able to stand sitting there in my seat, squirming and wanting to scream, "No!" Unfortunately, a friend is attending. She plans to listen and not make a peep as she is suddenly "shy," new to the group, and doesn't want to make enemies.

I had files on my website and at one time, a recorded message. I have replaced all of it with the sentiment that I "feel sorry" for anyone who believes this new American myth. It is just one more example of how history has "changed" and how facts get lost because they are not pleasant.

As a quilter, don't you like happy things like color and design more than a pack of historical lies and misinterpretations? I do. To that end, I have been quilting more and online less, having given up Facebook and most other social media. If it doesn't matter what I have to say about the "secret quilt code," I do not care to continue to share details on my website. I know the difference and so do a whole lot of others. It seems to be the charlatans that are most into reciting the "code" and interpreting. They fail to realize that the author of the book, Hidden in Plain View, called his book "pure speculation." I have heard tales of the extremes to which speakers take the misinformation.

Other News

Today is a windy day and sunny. The air is brisk and fresh and hints of the cooler nights. Just for fun yesterday, we took a trip to Keepsake Quilting. I wanted to buy a number of things I saw in the catalog and it was a misty/rainy day. One of the items I'd been wanting for awhile: an assortment of Aurifil 50 Mako thread. I love it! It is a multi-use thread for hand piecing and hand quilting. and machine quilting. I actually wanted two assortments but the store was out of the other, the Darlene Zimmerman thread collection. Today, I called to order the second assortment. They will be great for larger projects that I have going.

Just for fun I ordered a kit for a Christmas quilt with (real) lights that kept catching my eye in the catalog.

"Mark Twain" Yellow - A New Look for an Old House

A while ago, Jim discovered that the earliest paint applied to the outside of our home had been yellow. Who would have guessed? We decided to upgrade from a completely gray house to a yellow one and began looking to see what was available. We found some "Mark Twain" yellow paint at Lowe's. Today, Jim began painting with the yellow. It is rather "eye-popping' but pleasant and certainly quite a change! The house was gray for several hundred years.

I am feeling happy these days in my semi-retired state. The Quilter magazine and other magazine titles by All-American Crafts, Inc. no longer exist, although I have not received any official news. I have turned to a scholarly project with the intent of having it published. It is a topic that is fun and one that you would love! Stay tuned until next year!

Now, to get back to my projects! Enjoy the weekend!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter's Muse Publications

"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep": A Discussion

An antique store find

Above you see a portion of an embroidered Sampler which says "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep / I Pray the Lord My Soul to Keep / Guide Me Safely Through the Night / Wake Me With the Morning Light."

I remember a similar prayer that had me terrified as a young child. The first prayer I ever learned was, "Now I lay me down to sleep / I pray the Lord my soul to keep / And if I die before I wake / I pray the Lord my soul to take." After carefully reciting this poem, I would lay awake for hours wondering if I was going to die and if so, if my soul would be taken and to where (also wondering what a "soul" is).

Curiously, a Sampler with the "other" similar poem was also for sale at the antiques shop. I could not bring myself to purchase it. This Sampler, on the other hand, is unfinished. It was sold by NeedleMania Inc. and is Article # 8122. I wish I knew more about all of these companies that produced Samplers to stitch at home. Someone should write a guide book. No, not me. I believe it would be difficult to track down information.

I hope to finish the Sampler you see here in some manner. I like the idea of peacefully waking to the morning's light, an experience that does not happen for many in the world who are without freedom and without sunshine in any level of their lives. I feel so happy and so thankful for the special people in my life who are my sunshine.

My Dad and Mother in 1931 when they were dating

So saying, I recall my Dad always singing to my Mom : "You are my sunshine / my only sunshine / you make me happy when skies are gray / you'll never know dear / how much I love you / please don't take my sunshine away.

Wishing you sunshine all the days of your life. :-)

Patricia Cummings