Katie Lambright

Frances Stauffer

Log Cabin
 

Appliqué

ArkansasStar

Nine-Patch

What is a "Quilt"?  Patsy and Myron Orlofsky in Quilts in America tell us that the word "quilt" comes from the Latin culcita, meaning a stuffed sack, mattress, or cushion. Our English word is derived from the French cuilte.  Today, "quilt" means two cloths, with batting in between, sewn together with stitches at frequent intervals to hold in place the several layers.

A majority of items included in Relief Sale auction guides fits this definition:  bed quilts, wall-hangings, and crib quilts.  But auctions also include tied comforters, knitted and crocheted afghans, and many times other textiles such as woven rugs.  Our unofficial total for the Michiana Quilt Auction was $136,160, with $121,470 coming from quilted items, including 106 bed quilts.   Nearly one-third of the bed-quilts went for $1000 or more.  The highest price of the day was $3400, "Ice Delight," an original design stitched by one quilter and donated by the First Mennonite Church, Berne, IN.  Mariner's Medallion garnered $2900.

We spent several days in Goshen interviewing sale quilters and quilt collectors and viewing quits from earlier sales.  Our first visit was with Royal Bauer.  Last June, we had received an on-line survey from Royal  telling us about his wife's quilting.  Evelyn Bauer (1927-1997) although a quadriplegic, designed quilts that sold  over the years at the Michiana Sale for over $25,000.  Royal is pictured here admiring a wall-hanging Evelyn made for the sale in 1986.  According to Royal, "She often said that although her reach was limited, God, through the Relief Sale, could take her limited reach and reach around the world."

At the Bag Factory, we interviewed Shirley and David Shenk, who try to have a quilt in the auction every year.  At the sale site, we spoke with  84-year-old Katie Lambright, of the Townline Conservative Mennonite Church, who joked that she learned to quilt in her high chair.  We visited the homes of quilters Esther Hershberger, Joy Hess, Elaine Frey (quilt committee chair), and Frances Stauffer and of collector Mary Swartzendruber.  Documentation, especially on older quilts, is hard to come by, so we were delighted to see tags on some of Mary's large collection.

Traditional Patterns and "Art Quilts"?  In our travels, we have visited quilt museums in Waterloo, ON;  Lancaster, PA; San Jose, CA; and Denver, CO, and have viewed exquisite  traditional and modern works of art.  One of the questions we are exploring in our research is how the larger quilt community influences the quilts that are donated to the sales around the country.  And while we are surprised that we see very few traditional Amish patterns, a large majority of  sale quilts are familiar pieced and appliqué patterns and their variations, using popular color combinations and hand-quilted.  (The Michiana Quilt Auction does not accept machine quilted items.)  Over 80% of the 98 pieced quilts in the Michiana Sale used traditional patterns in a variety of ways.  Log Cabin made up 14%, appliqué 12%, stars 10%, embroidered 7%, squares 7% and Nine-Patch 6%.  Also represented were Double Wedding Ring, Fans, Trip Around the World, Boston Commons, Sunbonnet Sue, Irish Chain, Dahlia, Drunkard's Path, Mariner's Medallion, Bow Tie, and Chinese Coins. 

Ongoing research questions for consideration: 

1) Most quilters have told us that like to see the prices on their quilts go high.  To maximize their chances, many take note what patterns sold well the year before and try to choose colors they think buyers would like.  Does this mean that quilters make quilts for the sales that they may not make for themselves?  Very few quilters say they have ever bought a sale quilt.  Are sale quilt styles distinctly Amish or Mennonite?  Do sale quilts differ from quilts the wider community of quilters stitch--in quality?  in the environments in which they are created?  in cultural values that may be represented?

2) Do you think the Mennonite church as a whole values women's quilts?  Are younger quilters being encourage to "pick up the ball (needle?) and run with it"?  How do churches Show their support or non-support for the quilters in their congregations?  Are we only interested in the money quilts raise for MCC?  What about the artistry women exhibit?  the major role women play in fund-raising?  the leadership skills women develop in managing the quilt auctions?  Can we talk about these issues?

To discuss these questions, join the discussion found under the Participation menu or get there from the QUICK MENU on the home page.