Study Centers
The hallmark of AQSG is learning. Seminar Study Centers provide 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 will demonstrate 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 will bring kit quilts and printed materials for display and discussion. Participants are 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 will give 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 are 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 to be 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? Find a pot of gold at this study center featuring William Pinch and the Rainbow Quilt Block Company of Cleveland, Ohio. We will explore his 50 years (1921-1971) as a designer of prestamped quilt blocks and quilt kits. You will learn how to distinguish a Rainbow design from similar embroidery/appliqué patterns. Pinch was known for his delicate, high quality designs and beautiful appliqué fabrics. Bring your 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 will provide a focused look at the emergence of the art quilt movement. We will look 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 will help 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 Study Center
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 will explore and study the regional differences of this well-liked color combination. Please bring one or two, nineteenth-century red and green quilts, preferably with provenance, to share.
Where to Start-How to Finish Study Center
Mary Persyn and Anita Loscalzo
Do you have a quilt research project in mind, but don't know where to begin? Librarian Mary Persyn will introduce attendees to online and paper resources for conducting research as well as discussing how to design a research project.
Then Anita Loscalzo will cover creating formal presentations of your research that are clear and keyed to your audience. Topics will include: 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 will explore the various batting companies, and their relationships. A large variety of vintage battings will be available to compare and touch. For a step back in time, actual price lists, letters and marketing programs will be available for review. Attend this study group and find 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 will learn the story behind the well-published ELI Quilt and others like it. They also will learn 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. Take a walk through time with touch and feel displays. Enjoy a Surprise Table. Bring a list of questions re: textile technology plus your show and tells, several heavy-duty shopping bags and linen tester if you have one. Materials provided will include: 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. Laptops and cameras welcome.
Amish Quilts: A Midwest Comparison
Jan Wass
Off-site at Snowden Gallery
Transportation Provided
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. Explore examples from public and private collections on exhibit at the Snowden Gallery on the campus of Ohio State University. Learn about helpful research methods and sources from the exhibit's curator and author of Illinois Amish Quilts.
Feed Sacks
Barb Garrett
We will explore 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 will be able to view and handle both feedsacks and vintage items made from sacks. Participants are 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 will look at the chemical names of the ingredients in laundry products and then break down their specific "powers". We will look at the many familiar commercial names and apply this knowledge. Participants will have opportunity to view samples of items that have been wet cleaned with various products. Each participant is encouraged to bring an item to share with the group to discuss potential treatment.
*Unfortunately, the study center about Ruby McKim, as listed on the Registration form, had to be dropped and will not be offered this year.