Tuesday 10 October 2006

Just Ambling and Wondering ....

Ambling along for a bit after that burst of sewing and got to wondering about quilts and their history. OK, we all know about the Dear Jane quilts and their history, but how? These days we have digital cameras, Blogs, books, etc, etc. How were those quilts recorded before the days of cameras and glossy "coffee table" books. What would those pioneers of quilts think of us these days with our electric sewing machines, special thread, cutting boards, rotary cutters, material especially made for quilting, proper wadding, etc, etc, etc. I wonder? Have finally caught up on Blogs and no one is seeing a photo of my laundry room! It doubles up as DH's workshop, storage room for the plants in winter and, as well as the dryer and 2 washing machines, houses the outdoor furniture and the chest freezer. Oh, and it is downstairs in the "cave".

8 comments:

Kim West said...

My guess would be through oral histories that quilts would be recorded from - there are lots of old quilts that noone knows the history of them. I might be mistaken, but the movement to record every little detail about quilts is a fairly recent one.

I also agree that noone will see my laundry room either.

Laurie said...

I hear you about the laundry room! Although it isn't quite so bad when oldest DD is off at college, it's still not what it could be! Plus my ancient dog sleeps there, so there's always a ratty dog blanket or two in front of the dryer.

Susan said...

A lot of women in those days did keep a blog. It was just called a journal or a diary. =) They are invaluable for research.

Anonymous said...

Mine is not so much a laundry room as a small storage warehouse just off the kitchen...!!!

My mum has several quilts handed down through the family -- a couple of them have lovely handwritten notes describing where the fabrics came from. We also have a sleigh blanket for keeping warm in the bitter Yankee winters -- it's about the size as a bed quilt, but thick and ridiculously heavy.

Pam said...

I am working on my own Dear Jane -- with my expensive light with the magnifying glass attached. I think of Jane Stickle sitting in the evening by the fire with a few candles flickering beside her, piecing the quilt with bits of scrap fabric that she was given. Yes - I wonder what she would think?

Susan said...

Dear Jane has made quite an impact on the quilting world. She sure got me started and doing things I said I never would...

I'm with you on the laundry room. No pictures of mine will ever surface either.

Jenni said...

I would like to see a French 'cave'. Think of it as broadening the relationship between quilters worldwide! I too thought to myself this week as I was handsewing with my glasses on how I would've done it by candlelight.

Shelina said...

I think you should show us pictures of your laundry room. Those who have nicer ones will feel better about themselves and those whose laundry room looks like yours will feel that they have company in their misery. Think of it as a public service to improve quilter's self esteem throughout the world!