Quilt History Snippets for April, 2024…by Kathy Moore
What: Review of Uncoverings 1992, Volume 13 of the Research Papers of the American Quilt Study Group, edited by Laurel Horton
Topic: “Ink Damage on Nineteenth Century Cotton Signature Quilts”
Author: Margaret T. Ordoñez
Ordoñez is currently a professor emerita, Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandizing and
Design, University of Rhode Island, and owner of Ordoñez Textile Conservation Services. She speaks with authority on the topic of nineteenth century ink damages to cotton fibers. This article is very specific to the topic and well researched. The documentation and recommendations provided are as relevant now in 2023 as they were in 1992. In her abstract she notes, “Special needs related to handling, cleaning, exhibition, and storage were identified for both old and new signature quilts.” [p. 148]
Further, in her abstract, Ordoñez notes that in the nineteenth century, “most of the permanent inks were made from ferrous sulfate and nutgalls which contained tannic acid” and that “Cotton fibers have low resistance to damage from acids.” She makes an important point that some “Nineteenth century cotton signature quilts may not have visible damage, but fibers may be weak.” Also, “These quilts should not be wetcleaned and need to be vacuumed carefully” [p. 148] because cotton and flax “have a low resistance to damage by acids.” [p. 149]
What follows is a detailed discussion of nineteenth century signature quilts, the history and chemistry of iron inks made from galls and vitriol, noting that a twelfth century monk “described a method of preparing writing ink from thorn wood and green vitriol.” [p. 152] Ordoñez continues with information about the use and mixtures of indelible carbon inks, including the use of Indian ink [p. 154] and indelible silver nitrate inks.
Her discussion of the degradation of cotton fabrics by ink notes that the degradation caused by these inks is due to a “chemical reaction called hydrolysis.” [p. 157] The discussion is detailed and is illustrated by stereomicroscope photographic images.
Ordoñez’s discussion of the “considerations for care and use of signed quilts” should serve as a guidebook for all who collect and/or care/conserve signature quilts. She discusses not only the cleaning but the storage and exhibition considerations appropriate for quilts with inked signatures and images.
This is one article we all need to be aware of and to keep close at hand for reference when needed.
If you do not have a copy of this, or any, edition of Uncoverings, check the publication list on the AQSG website to see if the particular volume is available…many still are. To access an online version of any issue of Uncoverings find the links at the AQSG website or the Quilt Index at www.quiltindex.org. As always, you can contact me at kmoore81@austin.rr.com.