Friday, August 19, 2016

Celebrating the Launch of the Preservation Collection

Coming in September... New fabric and thread lines from Moda and Aurifil,
based on one of our quilts, with proceeds to benefit the museum.

Thank you for visiting us for the IQSCM/Preservation Release Event! The Preservation Collection benefiting IQSCM is a collaborative project involving Moda FabricsAurifil Threads and the IQSCM. To learn more about these companies, take a peek at collections & exhibits, and take part in a fabulous giveaway, make sure to follow along via the links below. 

8/17: Aurifil
8/18: Moda
8/19: You're Here

We are so excited to have one of our quilts featured in Moda's Quilts for a Cause and to have an accompanying line of thread available from Aurifil. This Medallion Quilt, which was made by an unknown maker, probably in Allendale region, England, circa 1830, is truly a gem of our British quilt collection.

As we explained in our interviews with Aurifil and Moda earlier this week, the Medallion quilt appeared in the inaugural exhibition for our West Gallery. "Getting to Know You" featured twenty-six quilts, selected to represent the depth and breadth of our collection. Our curators chose about half of the pieces and the rest were selected by our volunteers, students, quilters and our visitors near and far.

Medallion, maker unknown, probably made in Allendale region,
England, circa 1830, 112 x 107 inches. IQSCM 2007.014.0001.

This one was among three British quilts selected by Fiona Diaper, former museum manager of the Quilt Museum and Gallery in York, England. From there, we asked people to vote online for the piece they most wanted to see displayed in the gallery. The Medallion quilt won with more than 50 percent of the vote.

A detail shot of the quilt label used in "Getting to Know You,"
which included an image of a 19th century textile printer's record book.

Voters explained why they wanted to see this quilt featured in our galleries:

"Although by heritage I should be voting for the Welsh quilt, I just loved the colours and work involved in the North Country quilt, so voted for that one."


"The colours are beautifully muted -no modern synthetic dyes, and the pattern holds attention for a good while - takes a time to work it out.  The fabrics probably reflect the fashion of that time, or show the range of one producer. I love that it has a wavy edge - I've had quite a few of those."


"I love this quilt. It looks very English to me with the variety of patterns and way it has been constructed. I like the stars and half triangle blocks making up the borders. It is probably pieced over papers and well designed."


"Totally British all the way with the flowers in the middle with lots of interesting blocks around the quilt."


"First of all I love the medallion form with several borders.  The collection of fabric is exciting and the variety of patchwork patterns adds to the over all interest. I love the 'jumble' effect of English medallions from this period."


The Medallion quilt, on the back wall, as it appeared in "Getting to Know You."

In her in-gallery description of this piece and its significance to British quilt history, Diaper wrote:

"These visually pleasing Medallion quilts, which were particularly popular from 1800 to 1850, vary immensely in terms of design, construction and materials. Just as with different dialects and landscapes across the UK, quilts can sometimes show regional influences too. This lively version comes from the north of England."


A visitor leaves a response in our in-gallery comment book.

While the quilt was on display, we asked viewers to share their thoughts on the piece's wall power:

"I love the quilts that remind me of grandmothers and mothers piecing together scrapes to use up old clothes. So nostalgic. <3"


"I believe a lot of love and creativity went into this quilt to pass on to the next generation."


"It is very nice, because I like fabric! Fabric is fabulous!"


Part of our responsibility as custodians of our world-class collection is to make sure pieces like this Medallion quilt remain in good condition for future generations to learn from and enjoy. We do this by storing our pieces in a climate-controlled setting, routinely refolding them and restricting how often they are handled and displayed. You can learn more about our care process in this video:


We also encourage you to take steps to care for your collection at home. Read our tips here.

Be sure to check out the other posts in our Blog Hop from Aurifil and Moda. Also, look for the Aurifil Moda lines in our Museum Shop when they are released in September.


*** GIVEAWAY ***


To enter-to-win one Preservation Aurifil Thread Collection and one Fat Quarter Bundle of Preservation, Collection for a Cause by Moda Fabrics, click here to head to the Rafflecopter entry page, or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have!  Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 25! Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Friday, August 26. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

60 comments:

  1. Love the medallion style quilt, and the colors are awesome!

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  2. Fascinating read. Would love to see this collection in person.

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  3. Thank you for the info and chance to win

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  4. Wow - I didn't know so much work into caring for the Collection.I do vacuum my quilts but never thought using a mesh screen. I will have to make one to use on my antique quilts. Preservation is a beautiful collection.

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  5. I would love to visit this place!

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  6. I'm definitely planning a trip to the museum sometime this fall.

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  7. What a wonderful endeavor you have taken on to preserve our quilt heritage.. keep up the amazing work!!!

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  8. I love the quilt pattern you chose, and the fabrics are beautiful. Thank you so much!

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  9. I would love to visit and see the exhibit "Ordinary People" by Lora Rocke...sounds fascinating.

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  10. Facinated to learn about the museum and it's work as well as what went into the process for the reproduction quilt!

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  11. Wow, they all look so interesting I can't decide which I would like the most.

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  12. It would be awesome to spend time in this museum. I love seeing different styles, patterns and color choices quilters choose.

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  13. I would like to see an exhibition of Applique quilts It would be super if they were Red and green colored Applique quilts!! It is hard to think of a category you have not done. This may have already been covered, but are my personal favorite quilts!!

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  14. I visited Nebraska a few years ago and loved it. I wish I had seen IQSCM. I would really enjoy seeing "Getting to Know You" I love the history behind the makers/quilts. The Deaccessioning topic was very interesting....being a Librarian, we have the same issues with removing books, etc from the collection....touches a nerve in most people. Thank you!

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  15. I visited Nebraska a few years ago and loved it. I wish I had seen IQSCM. I would really enjoy seeing "Getting to Know You" I love the history behind the makers/quilts. The Deaccessioning topic was very interesting....being a Librarian, we have the same issues with removing books, etc from the collection....touches a nerve in most people. Thank you!

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  16. Fascinating work! This museum is definitely on my bucket list as a lover of fabric and a archivist/librarian :-)

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  17. I enjoy any exhibits that trace a family's history through fabric and stitchery.

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  18. I am always drawn to medallion quilts, and also to quilts using reproduction fabrics. There is just something about these quilts that connect a current-day quilter to the past. The exhibit looks to be absolutely wonderful!

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  19. Would love to come for a visit....your work is so fascinating!! I love the Preservation collection -- it is stunning!! ☺

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  20. While this is a beautiful quilt I prefer the the colors of today.

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  21. Love this quilt, the collection of reproduction fabric and the threads. Glad to live in Nebraska and be able to visit the IQSC!

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  22. Thank you for sharing this beautiful quilt history.

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  23. Thanks for the chance to win! The fabric is beautiful.

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  24. I would love to see the United in Memory and Amish Quilts exhibits!

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  25. I would love to see the "Quilts for Community: Quilts for Kids" as school is starting and I am a retired elementary teacher. Great work!

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  26. The thread and fabric are beautiful.

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  27. I would love to see all of the collections...this Medallion collection is probably first and foremost right now. I love the fabrics and threads chosen to remake the quilt...we can all have a bit of history.

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  28. I would love to see the Amish Quilts and the Doll Quilts.

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  29. Beautiful colors this year! I always look forward to this collection. So glad it will support the IQSCM

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  30. A few years ago I was blessed to be able to view a quilt show at the Henry Ford Museam in Michigan. I cried, smiled and was left with a new appreciation for older style quilts. I would vote for the Medallion quilt shown above. It looks like a lot of the quilts I saw. So beautiful.

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  32. The colors are beautiful - reminds me of the Civil War Quilts.

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  33. It is hard to pick any one style, but like the applique and medallion quilts. Can't wait to get some of the new collection.

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  34. Being an engineer I'd have to say The Engineer Who Could Exhibit!!
    Thank you for making it available online.

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  35. I'd love to see the quilts in the Favorites from the Byron and Sara Rhodes Dillow Collection - thanks for the giveaway !

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  36. beautiful threads to go with beautiful fabrics

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  37. I would love to see the Turkey Red Quilts exhibit in October. I do hope to visit someday. Thank you for a chance to win such beautiful prizes!

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  38. I love medallion quilts and antique quilts. This on is beautiful in its simplicity.

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  39. I am a huge Francophile, so I'd LOVE to see the French Quilt collection!

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  40. The 'Quilts of Southwest China' looks fascinating. I'd love to see them in person.

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  41. I would love to see the French Quilt collection.

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  42. I would love to see the French Quilt collection.

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  43. I love to see Crazy Quilts and all their intricate sewing!

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  44. I'd love to see the Amish Doll Quilts or the French Quilt collection.

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  45. I'd love to see the amish quilts and to see the range of quilts that vary from the expected 'traditional' 'dark quilts'

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  46. What a great give away... and thanx for the tips for preserving your quilt...

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  47. I love the colors and the thread.

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  48. Just love this collection! And aurafil is my go-to thread for piecing. Thanks also for the work you guys do. Fingers crossed!

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  49. Since I'm from PA, and there are lots of Amish north of us, I think seeing the variety of Amish quilts could be very interesting. Thanks so much for the chance to win!!

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  50. I just love this fabric collection. I love to see old quilts redone in current fabrics or reproductions. Quilters before us had so much persistence, all that wonderful handwork that is still around today amazes me.

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  51. This collection reminds me of the Dutch fabrics I purchased awhile back. It is so pretty. Nice information about the Museum. Hopefully we can make a trip to the East Coast next year and see some of the beautiful quilts.

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  52. I love it all. Thank you.
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  53. I MISSED THIS EXHIBIT, BUT I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE MOUNTAIN MIST AND CHINESE EXHIBITS I GOT TO SEE WHEN I VISITED IN JULY!!
    I LOVED YOUR GIFT SHOP TOO!!!! WISH YOU WOULD SHIP SOME OF THOSE SHIRTS!!!!! YOU DIDN'T HAVE MY SIZE IN SOME I WANTED. I LIVE IN INDIANA, AND DON'T SEE BEING ABLE TO GET BACK ANY TIME SOON.... :(

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  54. Would love to see the Amish quilts.

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  55. I would love to visit the museum in the future and I love old quilts especially from specific areas like the english quilt. Many greetings
    aubphg (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  56. I'd love to see a collection of Crazy Quilts: my grandmother had one that she had made, and promised to me, but it disappeared by the time she died, so I never got it, and have always been sad not to have it.

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  57. Lovely! I didn't know anything about this museum and am so glad to hear about it. I hope to be able to visit in our travels when we retire in a few years. I was able to visit Gees Bend and was so fascinated by their quilts and how they used anything they could to make them and used whatever they saw as inspiration for their "patterns" since they had no patterns or even pictures of other peoples quilts. I'd love to see their older quilts on display.

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