WQSG

Wisconsin Quilt Study Group

Current Meeting Minutes

July 9, 2011

Place:  The Woolen Mill, Cedarburg, WI

Coordinators: Maribeth Schmit & Kay Walters

The Wisconsin Quilt Study Group, (WQSG), met at the Cedarburg Woolen Mill Loft in Cedarburg, WI on July 9, 2011.  In attendance were:  Carolyn H., Jayne S., Sandy S., Joey M., Carol B., Nancy S., Kay W., Mary McN., Maribeth S., Donna W., Mary Z. and Sylvia A.

The meeting opened with introductions all around.  We enjoyed the company of a couple of newcomers to the group.

Nancy discussed the upcoming retreat featuring Merikay Waldvogel and Sylvia Adair.  More information may be found on the website: www.wqsg.org.  This event promises to be intense, but don’t let that intimidate you.  We’ll be sure to squeeze in a lot of fun, as well.  Make your reservations now.  Final payments are due by August 1, 2011.

Sandy gave a recap of the Northern Illinois Quilt Festival now underway.  What an exciting endeavor!  More information can be found at:  www.NorthernIllinoisQuiltFest.com .

Kay noted that the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts will celebrate their Grand Opening in August 2011.  See their website at www.wiquiltmuseum.com for more information.   Sylvia led a short discussion about quilt donation policy and procedures faced by museums and such. 

Donna W. gave an interesting presentation on “The History of Plaids.”  Some resources mentioned were:

Plaids and Stripes by Roberta Horton
Virginia Gunn article in Uncoverings, 2007
Clans and Tartans in Scotland

There were several quilts shared featuring plaids, checks, stripes, ginghams.  They were wonderful eye candy.  Some were grand endeavors and others made you wonder, “What was she thinking?”  See pictures.

Future meeting themes and locations were discussed.  A tentative schedule is:

November 12, 2011         Brookfield, WI area          “reds”                                   Jayne Steffens
March 10, 2012                 Middlton, WI area            “McKim”                             Nancy S. contacting another member
July 14, 2012                     Cedarburg, WI                  “Rosie Werner?”                 Sylvia Adair
November 10, 2012         Salem, WI                           “Non-Traditional”              Sandy Schweitzer
                                                                                          surface design and embellishment

Sandy shared the sad news of Ardis James’ passing.  A collection of money was taken with the intent of adding to the James Foundation endowment fund at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in the name of the Wisconsin Quilt Study Group.  Contributions can be given/mailed to Kay Walters, Cedarburg Woolen Mill, W62N580 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, WI 53012.  Kay will collect monies and coordinate sending it to the Quilt Study Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Maribeth Schmit

1. Pictures of Quilts we studied:
       1. Carol brought in a transitional era quilt with woven plaids from 1910 along with other novelty fabrics and other prints.

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       2. Carol also brought a goose tracks summer quilt from circa 1835.  The hand appliqué stitches were well done.

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4.     3. Next was a Perkiomen Valley quilt done in a split 9-patch from circa 1920's.  This is a Southeastern Pennsylvania quilt.

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6.     4. The next quilt was a double treat.  The back was a great plaid and the front was great fun as well.  This is a Pennsylvania quilt.  The plaid was printed rather than woven.  Due to the style and area of the origin of the quilt, some thought it could be Mennonite.  The oxblood fabric was interesting as well.

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8.     5. Postage Stamp quilt that is a new quilt that was recently donated to the Museum.

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10.     6. Sandy brought a great English paper-pieced hexagon mosaic quilt made in silks and velvets.  This quilt was embroidered with one date of 1848 and story has it from the quilt dealer is the quilt was found in a home that was abandoned for 100 years.  This quilt originates in KY.

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12.     7. Sandy also brought several other quilts.  A quilt with a North Carolina green dated circa 1890.

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14.     8. This quilt comes from Bedford County, PA.  This transitional era quilt, circa 1925, many called a "pattern" quilt.

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16.     9. This circa 1940 quilt is from Indiana.  The pattern name was unknown.

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18.   10. This railroad crossing quilt originated in Iowa.

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20.   11. Sylvia brought in a Connecticut signature quilt, circa 1849.

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22.   12. This transitional quilt was from circa 1920.

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24.   13. This circa 1920's churn dash was enjoyable to study.

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26.   14. Sandy shared her T-signature quilt.

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28.   15. This quilt was from Wisconsin.  It is a Bussey family quilt.  The chambray top was dated circa 1900 and the backing, circa 1950.

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30.   16. Jayne brought a transitional era pinwheel quilt.

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32.   17. She also brought a circa 1940 crazy quilt made of rectangle pieces. 

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34.   18. Sandy also shared the quilt being raffled for the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest which was quilted by the Amish community in Arthur, IL.  Sandy had seen this design for the Dresden Plate quilt done by a machine quilter and had the Amish quilt it.  They would have much preferred to quilt it in a traditional design but they stretched their skills for the quilt.

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