Study Centers
The hallmark of AQSG is learning. Seminar Study Centers provided casual, interactive sessions with opportunity to promote and share concepts of quilt history research through lecture, discussion, multi- media, and hands-on sharing.
Kit Quilts
Merikay Waldvogel
Merikay Waldvogel demonstrated a database (Filemaker-Pro) of over 1271 records on quilts and/or kits. Beyond dating and naming actual quilts and kit packages, through advertising and owner histories, the database allows the researcher to examine and compare large numbers of quilts produced by various companies at a particular period of time. Waldvogel brought kit quilts and printed materials for display and discussion. Participants were encouraged to bring photos, quilts, and actual kit package.
Quilt Designers of the Midwest
Xenia Cord, Lisa Portwood, and Amy Korn
During the first quilt revival of the 20th century, the Midwest had a number of women designers who produced designs, patterns, kits and other materials for a growing audience of quilting enthusiasts. Presenters Xenia Cord, Amy Korn, and Lisa Portwood gave an overview of recognized designers, and an in-depth look at three from the field: Esther O'Neill of Indianapolis, IN; “Nancy Page” (Florence La Ganke Harris) of Cleveland, OH; and Eleanor Beard, of Hardinsburg, KY. Participants were encouraged to bring quilts and ephemera representative of the Midwest designers.
African American Quilts: Setting the Record Straight
Carolyn Mazloomi
African American quilts are more popular than ever before. Highly sought by collectors and extensively exhibited, the quilts have been the source of much controversy and misinformation. Among issues that were discussed: dissecting the controversies (including signs and symbols in improvisational quilts and use of quilts in the Underground Railroad movement), methodology which leads to flawed scholarship, the remedy for disingenuous perceptions about African American quilting, and new directions in aesthetics and collecting.
Rainbow Quilt Block Company
Sharon Pinka
Have you ever chased a rainbow? Attendees found a pot of gold at this study center featuring William Pinch and the Rainbow Quilt Block Company of Cleveland, Ohio. We explored his 50 years (1921-1971) as a designer of prestamped quilt blocks and quilt kits. Participants learned how to distinguish a Rainbow design from similar embroidery/appliqué patterns. Pinch was known for his delicate, high quality designs and beautiful appliqué fabrics. People brought their own Rainbow blocks or quilts to add to the fun.
The Art Quilt Movement
Gayle Pritchard
Ohio is home to several pioneers and leaders in the field of non-traditional quiltmaking, termed 'art quilt' in 1986 by Ohioan Penny McMorris and her fellow researcher Michael Kile. The Study Center provided a focused look at the emergence of the art quilt movement. We looked at the various components leading to the development of art quilts, including: the social and cultural milieu of the post World War II period, how the movement emerged out of the 1960s political, social, and cultural changes, and how feminist artists and quilt collectors impacted the art quilt movement in the 1970s. Multi-media technology and hands-on objects helped illustrate representative samples, discuss the quilts, and address the ever-present controversy over the field's craft terminology and definitions related to art quilts.
A Gathering of Red and Green
Kathy Metelica and Sue Reich
The complementary colors of red and green have been universally popular in quiltmaking since the second quarter of the nineteenth century. This hands-on study center explored and studied the regional differences of this well-liked color combination. Participants brought one or two, nineteenth-century red and green quilts, preferably with provenance, to share.
Where to Start-How to Finish
Mary Persyn and Anita Loscalzo
Librarian Mary Persyn introduced attendees to online and paper resources for conducting research as well as discussing how to design a research project.
Then Anita Loscalzo covered creating formal presentations of your research that are clear and keyed to your audience. Topics included: aspects of the audience; distillation of your topic; effective images (whether using slides, overheads, or PowerPoint); and practice tips.
History of Batting
Linda Pumphrey
We explored the various batting companies, and their relationships. A large variety of vintage battings were available to compare and touch. For a step back in time, actual price lists, letters and marketing programs were available for review. Attendees of this study group found out more about the inside story of batting.
Album Quilts of the Miami Valley
Sue Cummings
During the period from 1888 to 1918, a community of Miami Valley quiltmakers in Darke, Miami and Montgomery Counties, made dozens of album presentation quilts to celebrate life's passages. Their sharing of designs and construction techniques led to the development of a distinctive, regional quilt style that has never been duplicated in any other region of the state or country. Participants in this study center learned the story behind the well-published ELI Quilt and others like it. They also learned to identify unique motifs, such as the Miami Valley Eagle and elements of style that characterize these Ohio folk art album quilts, through photographs and inspection of quilts from the author's collection.
Textiles of the 20th Century
Joan Kiplinger
Cottonzilla Meets Bionanoecomicrotechopoly Man: An open forum on 20th century fabrics with emphasis on textile fiber innovations and technology. Participants take a walk through time with touch and feel displays, and enjoyed a surprise table. Materials provided included: not-your-ordinary fabric swatch ID and comparison kits of natural fibers, manufactured fibers and eco fibers; plus an extensive folder on Textile Timeline 1900 to Present, Manufactured Fibers, and Information Sources & Resources.
Amish Quilts: A Midwest Comparison
Jan Wass
What do we really know about Amish quilts? How can you tell in what community an Amish quilt was made? There are no easy answers. Participants explored examples from public and private collections on exhibit at the Snowden Gallery on the campus of Ohio State University. Also, they learned about helpful research methods and sources from the exhibit's curator and author of Illinois Amish Quilts.
Feed Sacks
Barb Garrett
We explored the history, development, popularity, and decline of these marvelous fabrics and how they were used both in quiltmaking and everyday life. Using a trunk show style presentation, participants were able to view and handle both feedsacks and vintage items made from sacks. Participants were encouraged to bring interesting feedsack quilts, vintage items made from sacks, and memories to share with the group.
The Study of the Chemicals Used for Laundering Textiles and How to Break it Down into Layperson Terms
Lynn Gorges
During this study center we looked at the chemical names of the ingredients in laundry products and then broke down their specific "powers". We looked at the many familiar commercial names and applied this knowledge. Participants had opportunity to view samples of items that have been wet cleaned with various products. Each participant was encouraged to bring an item to share with the group to discuss potential treatment.