Each month subscribers receive a full-size pattern for a block to make into a striking sampler quilt plus a fascinating story about the true workings of the Underground Railroad. The patterns---new star designs with a traditional look---celebrate people and places in the fight to end slavery. You'll find links to web pages that tell the history of the Underground Railroad through photographs, maps and documents. There's an interactive forum where you can see and discuss the latest news on the controversial history of quilts and slavery with other members.
The photo on the right shows details of a silk quilt by Deborah Coates, collection of the Heritage Center Museum: Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The July, 2008 installment of the Underground Railroad Club recalls the life of abolitionist Deborah Simmons Coates who left us one of the few documented quilts with an actual reference to slavery---the inked figure of a chained slave. For my print article on the quilt and a pattern see McCall's Vintage Quilts (December, 2007) by clicking on this link: McCall's Vintage Quilts
The cost for the Club is $19.95 for 12 issues which will run until October 2008. Subscribers can access the archives to get back issues. For more information click on this link:
http://www.ctpub.com/client/client_pages/onlineclubs.cfm
Dating Game: The Quilt Detective
How to Play the Dating Game: I've been collecting photos of date-inscribed quilts from online auctions. I'll post them periodically with a number and you practice your dating skills by filling in the blanks on the worksheet.
Create a Word file called Dating Game. Copy the Dating Worksheet text below into it. Then fill in the form for each numbered quilt. Save it with the number and if you feel like it email it to me. I may have time to give you some feedback.
I'll post an occasional entry and on Mondays I'll post a picture of last week's quilt with its date. I can't promise I'll create a new entry every week but check weekly for new posts and answers to previous Dating Game items (see my Hot Topics page for Dating Game Answers).
There are no prizes but practice will make you a better quilt dater. I'll post the answer for 8-09 on Monday, October 13th.
Worksheet for Dating Quilts
Quilt Number:
To fill in the form: Describe each of the clues in the quilt and rate it as "No Clue," "Weak Clue" or "Strong Clue." At the bottom decide on an earliest possible and latest possible date based on the strong clues and explain why you chose those dates. See worksheet for #8-01 for a sample. See my Hot Topics page for the actual dates.
Fiber & Weaves:
Print Technique:
Color Scheme/Quilt:
Color Scheme/Patches:
Color Damage:
Scale of Print:
Patchwork Technique:
Pattern:
Style-Quilting:
Style-Set:
Style-Borders:
Earliest Date:
Latest Date:
Why:
DATING GAME SAMPLE WORKSHEET FOR # 8-01 (Above)
Fiber & Weaves:Wool: Variety of manufactured wools in solid colors with a few woven plaids. Weak Clue-after 1870, before 1925.
Print Technique: None. No clue.
Color Scheme/Quilt:Nothing Remarkable. No Clue.
Color Scheme/Patches: Primarily Solids. No Clue.
Color Damage: None apparent. No Clue.
Scale of Print:No Prints. No Clue.
Patchwork Technique:Foundation piecing with embroidery covering seams. Strong Clue to after 1880.
Pattern: Fans (like Brackman #3332-Japanese Fans) joined into circles. Fans strong clue to after 1880.
Style-Quilting: None. A top. No clue.
Style-Set: Block. No clue.
Style-Borders: None. No clue.
Earliest Date: 1890
Latest Date: 1920
Why: Wool quilts of inexpensive manufactured wools popular between 1870 and 1925 but most popular with this kind of foundation piecing and embroidery after 1890. Seam-covering embroidery big fad between 1880 and 1920. Combination of wool fabric and techniques = 1890-1920. Check the Dating Game Answers on my Hot Topics page for the actual date that's on the quilt.
Barbara Brackman
3115 W 6th St. #C-237, Lawrence, KS, 66049