Quilts Part 7

With the American eagle in the border]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PUFFED QUILT OF SILK

This is a very popular pieced quilt, composed of carefully saved bits of silks and velvets]

Quilting is usually paid for by the amount of thread used, no consideration being given to the amount of time expended on the work.

A spool of cotton thread, such as is found in every dry-goods store, averaging two hundred yards to the spool, is the universal measure.

The price charged is more a matter of locality than excellence of workmanship. A certain price will prevail in one section among all quilters there, while in another, not far removed, two or three times that price will be asked for the same work. When many of the old quilts, now treasured as remembrances of our diligent and ambitious ancestors, were made, one dollar per spool was the usual price paid for quilting. However, as the number of quilters has decreased, the price of quilting has increased, until as much as five dollars per spool is now asked in some parts of the country. Even at the advanced prices, it is exceedingly difficult to find sufficient quilters to complete the many pieced and applique quilts being made.

After the s.p.a.ce of some twelve inches, which is as far as the quilter can reach conveniently, has been quilted, the completed portion is rolled up on the side of the frame nearest the quilter. From the other side another section is then unrolled and marked for quilting, and quilted as far as the worker can reach. Thus quilting and rolling are continued until the whole quilt is gone over, after which it is taken from the frame and the edges neatly bound with a narrow piece of bias material, either white or of some harmonizing colour. Since all of the st.i.tches are taken entirely through the quilt, the design worked into the top is repeated on the lining, so that the back makes a white spread of effective pattern in low relief. Very often the back or reverse side is as beautiful as the top, and many lovely quilts have ended their years of service as white counterpanes during that period when the vogue for white beds reigned. Now, however, owners are glad to display them in all their gorgeousness, and they no longer masquerade as white bedspreads.

Occasionally the date of making and the initials of the maker are quilted in a corner, but it is seldom that even this much is visible to tell of the quilt's origin. How interesting it would be if some bits of the story of the maker could have been sewed into a few of the old quilts; for such works of art, that are so long in making, deserve to have some facts relating to them live at least as long as they.

When a bedcover of exceptional warmth is desired, several sheets of cotton or wool prepared for that purpose are laid one over the other between the top and back. As this is too thick to allow a needle to be pushed through easily, and even st.i.tches cannot be taken, then quilting gives way to tying or knotting. Threads of silk, cotton, linen, or wool are drawn through with coa.r.s.e needles and the ends tied in tight, firm knots. These knots are arranged at close, regular intervals to prevent the interlining from slipping out of place. To this kind of covering is applied the very appropriate name of "comfort." Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and all of Scandinavia use quilted down and feather comforts. In fact, the down comfort has become international in its use. It is found in almost every home in the colder regions of Europe and America, and on chilly nights is a comfort indeed. They are usually made in one colour and, aside from the quilting, which is in bold, artistic designs, are without other decoration. The quilting on down comforts is done by machines made expressly for that work.

Quilting is not confined to the making of quilts. The petticoats worn by the women of Holland are substantial affairs made of either woollen cloth or satin, as the purse permits, heavily interlined and elaborately quilted. The Dutch belle requires from four to nine of these skirts to give her the figure typical of her country. Both the Chinese and j.a.panese make frequent use of quilting in their thickly padded coats and kimonos, and it may be that from them the early Dutch voyagers and traders brought back the custom to Holland.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

(a) Design from an Old English Quilt (b) Medallion Design (c) Pineapple Design]

[Ill.u.s.tration: VARIEGATED HEXAGON, SILK

Colours: cherry, light blue, pink, black, and a yellow centre]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ROMAN STRIPE, SILK]

A knowledge of the simplest form of sewing is all that is necessary to piece quilts. The running st.i.tch used for narrow seams is the first st.i.tch a beginner learns. There are other st.i.tches needed to make a patchwork quilt, which frequently develops into quite an elaborate bit of needlework. The applied designs should always be neatly hemmed to the foundation; some, however, are embroidered and the edges of the designs finished with a b.u.t.tonhole st.i.tch, and other fancy st.i.tches may be introduced.

In quilt making, as in every other branch of needlework, much experience is required to do good work. It takes much time and practice to acquire accuracy in cutting and arranging all the different pieces. A discriminating eye for harmonizing colours is also a great advantage. But above all requirements the quilt maker must be an expert needleworker, capable of making the mult.i.tude of tiny st.i.tches with neatness and precision if she would produce the perfect quilt.

Appreciation of nature is an attribute of many quilt makers, as shown by their efforts to copy various forms of leaf and flower. There are many conventionalized floral patterns on applique quilts that give evidence of much ability and originality in their construction. For the pioneer woman there was no convenient school of design, and when she tired of the oft-repeated quilt patterns of her neighbourhood she turned to her garden for suggestions. The striking silhouettes of familiar blossoms seen on many quilts are the direct result of her nature study.

CHAPTER VI

QUILT NAMES

Among the most fascinating features of quilt lore are the great number and wonderful variety of names given to quilt designs. A distinct individuality is worked into every quilt by its maker, which in most instances makes it worthy of a name. The many days spent in creating even a simple quilt give the maker ample time in which to ponder over a name for the design, so that the one selected generally reflects some peculiarity in her personality. History, politics, religion, nature, poetry, and romance, all are st.i.tched into the gayly coloured blocks and exert their influence on quilt appellations. Careful consideration of a large number of quilts reveals but few that have been named in a haphazard way; in nearly every instance there was a reason or at least a suggestion for the name.

In most cases the relation between name and design is so evident that the correct name at once suggests itself, even to the novice in quilt making. The common "star" pattern, in which one star is made the centre of each block, is invariably known as the "Five-pointed Star."

A variation in the size of the stars or the number of colours entering into their composition has not resulted in any new name.

It is quite usual, however, when there is a slight deviation from a familiar pattern, resulting from either the introduction of some variation or by the omission of a portion of the old design, to make a corresponding change in the name. Good ill.u.s.trations of this custom are the minor alterations which have been made in the tree trunk of the "tree" pattern. These may be so slight as to be entirely un.o.bserved by the casual admirer, yet they are responsible for at least three new names: "Pine Tree," "Temperance Tree," and "Tree of Paradise." A minor change in the ordinary "Nine Patch," with a new name as a result, is another striking example of how very slight an alteration may be in order to inspire a new t.i.tle. In this case, the central block is cut somewhat larger than in the old "Nine Patch," and the four corner blocks are, by comparison with the centre block, quite small. This slight change is in reality a magical transformation, for the staid "Nine Patch" has now become a lively "Puss-in-the-Corner." The changes in some patterns have come about through efforts to make a limited amount of highly prized colour brighten a whole quilt. This circ.u.mstance, as much as any other, has been the cause of new names.

[Ill.u.s.tration: AMERICAN LOG CABIN, SILK AND WOOL

In Colonial days this was known as a "pressed" quilt]

[Ill.u.s.tration: DEMOCRAT ROSE

Made in Pennsylvania about 1845]

Important events occurring during the construction periods of old quilts are quite frequently recalled to us by their names. The stirring frontier activities and the great men of history made impressions on the mind of the housewife which found expression in the names of her quilts. "Washington's Plumes," "Mexican Rose," and "Rose of Dixie" are old quilt names reflecting domestic interest in important events. The hardships and vicissitudes endured by the st.u.r.dy pioneers were constantly in the minds of the early American quilters and inspired many names. "Pilgrim's Pride," "Bear's Paws," "Rocky Road to Kansas," "Texas Tears," and "Rocky Road to California" have great interest as they reveal to us the thoughts of our great-grandmothers over their quilting frames.

The names having political significance, which were attached to quilts, show that the women as well as the men had a keen interest in the affairs of our country in its earlier days. "Old Tippecanoe,"

"Lincoln's Platform," "Harrison Rose," "Democrat Rose," "Whig Rose,"

and "Radical Rose" are all suggestive of the great discussion over slavery. Of the last name, an old lady, famous for her quilt making, said: "Here's my 'Radical Rose.' I reckon you've heard I was the first human that ever put black in a Radical Rose. Thar hit is, right plumb in the middle. Well, whenever you see black in a Radical Rose you can know hit war made atter the second year of the war (Civil War). Hit was this way, ever' man war a-talkin' about the Radicals and all the women tuk to makin' Radical Roses. One day I got to studying that thar ought to be some black in that thar pattern, sence half the trouble was to free the n.i.g.g.e.rs, and hit didn't look fair to leave them out.

And from that day to this thar's been black in ever' Radical Rose."

Other names having patriotic, political, or historical significance are:

Union Yankee Puzzle Continental Union Calico Quilt Star-Spangled Banner Confederate Rose Boston Puzzle

There is also the "Centennial" in commemoration of the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia in 1876, and "The World's Fair,"

"World's Fair Puzzle," and "World's Fair Blocks" to perpetuate the grandeurs of the great exposition held at Chicago in 1893.

Religion is closely a.s.sociated with the life of the industrious, sober-minded dwellers of our villages and farms, and it is the most natural thing in the world for the Biblical teachings to crop out in the names of their quilts, as the following names indicate:

Garden of Eden Golden Gates Jacob's Ladder Joseph's Coat Solomon's Temple Solomon's Crown Star of Bethlehem Tree of Paradise Forbidden Fruit Tree

The glories of the sky enjoy ample prominence among quilt names.

Beginning with the "Rising Sun," of which there are several different designs, there follow "Sunshine" and "Sunburst," then "Rainbow," and finally a whole constellation of "Stars":

Blazing Star Brunswick Star Combination Star Chicago Star Columbia Star Crosses and Stars Cl.u.s.ter of Stars California Star Diamond Star Eight-pointed Star Evening Star Feather Star Five-pointed Star Flying Star Four X Star Four Stars Patch Joining Star Ladies' Beautiful Star Morning Star New Star Novel Star Odd Star Premium Star Ribbon Star Rolling Star Sashed Star Seven Stars Star Lane Star of Bethlehem Star and Chains Star of Many Points Star and Squares Star and Cubes Star Puzzle Shooting Star Star of the West Star and Cross Star of Texas Stars upon Stars Squares and Stars St. Louis Star Star, A Twinkling Star Union Star Wheel and Star Western Star

In connection with the "Star" quilt names it is worthy of notice that geometric names outnumber those of any other cla.s.s. "Squares,"

"triangles," and "circles" are well represented, but the "Stars"

easily lead with nearly fifty names.

Names of various other geometric patterns appear below:

Art Square Barrister's Blocks Beggar's Blocks Box Blocks Circle within Circle Cross within Cross Cross and Crown Cube Work Cube Lattice Diamonds Diamond Cube Diamond Design Double Squares Domino and Square Eight-point Design Five Stripes Fool's Square Four Points Greek Cross Greek Square Hexagonal Interlaced Blocks Maltese Cross Memory Blocks Memory Circle New Four Patch New Nine Patch Octagon Pinwheel Square Red Cross Ribbon Squares Roman Cross Sawtooth Patchwork Square and Swallow Square and a Half Squares and Stripes Square and Triangle Stripe Squares The Cross The Diamond Triangle Puzzle Triangular Triangle Variegated Diamonds Variegated Hexagons

[Ill.u.s.tration: "PINK ROSE" DESIGN]

Names of a nautical turn are to be expected for quilts which originate in seaside cottages and seaport villages. "Bounding Betty," "Ocean Waves," and "Storm at Sea" have a flavour as salty as the spray which dampens them when they are spread out to sun by the sandy sh.o.r.e.

That poetry and romance have left their mark on the quilt is shown by the names that have been drawn from these sources. "Lady of the Lake," "Charm," "Air Castle," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Wonder of the World" are typical examples. Sentimental names are also in evidence, as "Love Rose," "Lovers' Links," "True Lovers' Knot," "Friendship Quilt," and "Wedding Knot."

Nature furnishes more suggestions for beautiful quilt designs than any other source. So frequently are her models resorted to by quilt makers the world over that many different designs have been inspired by the same leaf or flower. The rose especially is used again and again, and will always be the favourite flower of the quilter. There are at least twenty "rose" names to prove how this flower has endeared itself to the devotees of piece-block and quilting frame:

Rose California Rose Complex Rose Confederate Rose Democrat Rose Dutch Rose Harrison Rose Harvest Rose Love Rose Mexican Rose Prairie Rose Rose of Sharon Rose of Dixie Rose of the Carolinas Rosebud and Leaves Rose Alb.u.m Rose of LeMoine Radical Rose Whig Rose Wild Rose Wreath of Roses

Other flowery names are also popular: