Win a Copy of Eleanor Burns' new book, Tales of First Ladies!
by Maribooks , contests , fun Add comments
My quilt library is stuffed after 30 years of collecting quilting books, and quilt trends have changed a great deal by the looks of my books but, there is one segment of quilt books that don’t change and that is historical. I have remarked about this before in previous book reviews and blogs; I LOVE quilt history and seek quilt books that provide that kind of information.
Tales of First Ladies is such a book and is told through the pen of the very amiable Eleanor Burns. Cleverly written, we are given historical information not only about several first ladies but also about the White House and significant events from colonial America. This is all told through authentic quilt blocks and quilts from that era.
Oh, my, gosh! How gracious and strong were the characters of these women who, by events created by their husbands, were placed in positions of authority and responsibility whether they were “groomed” for what they were about to do. They were defined by their husbands and his position yet were required to negotiate a very burdensome job without acknowledgement. The strength of character goes without saying!
This book is a must for the quilter that appreciates the historical significance of the quilts they piece. It’s not trendy, but will never go out of style!
From now until February 5th, you can enter to win a copy of this wonderful book. On February 6th, we will select three winners. One grand prize winner will take home a copy of Tales of First Ladies and a Neutral Thread Set. Two runner-up winners will win a book. All you have to do to enter is answer this question:
What do you believe is the most significant historical contribution to quilting?
Rules: One entry per person. No purchase necessary. To be qualified to win, you must have a mailing address in the US or Canada. You must provide us with a valid email address so that we can contact you if you win. Contest ends 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 5th. Good luck!
Aug 17, 2012 at 12:07 AM Awesome for the post. Very informative, keep up with the good work!
Feb 29, 2012 at 6:38 PM I think the rotary cutter revolutionized the quilt industry along with the mats and rulers.
Feb 22, 2012 at 4:14 PM I'm 88 and came late to quilting after retiring from Human Resources. But it has given me a new lease on life. I love reading about it and of course doing it.
Feb 10, 2012 at 6:50 PM How does one enter to win this book? I would love to have one if it is still going on.
Feb 9, 2012 at 10:26 AM I love histoical books and one on quilting would be a great addition. I think there are many times quilting was very important but thinking of how important it was for the pioneers settling our country has to be one of them.
Feb 7, 2012 at 8:09 PM What a great book, I love history and this would be a treasure to have!
Feb 6, 2012 at 7:30 AM I believe that of great signifcance to our history were the quilts produced during the Civli War. The underground railroad quilts probably saved, hundreds, if not thousands, of prople from certain death. The messages relayed in these quilts were avenues for people to achieve their freedom. What more important thing can you do but save a life?
Julie Kaller
Feb 6, 2012 at 7:10 AM would love to add this to my collection and make some of them using civil war and reproduction fabrics
Feb 5, 2012 at 8:56 PM I believe the depression era was important in the history of quilting. People had to be resourceful with whatever material they had including flour and sugar sacks as well as using worn out clothing cut up to make some parts of the quilt.
I got a chance to meet Ms. Burns at the International Quilt Show and Festival in Houston, Texas last November. She was as lovely and charming in person as she appears on TV and on her DVDs.
Feb 5, 2012 at 7:33 PM Tough question to answer as I am not thick with historical quilt knowledge. However, i do think that the cotton gin led the way to increased speed of cotton harvest and there fore greater use of cotton fabrics for women of all economic means.
Eleanor's book sounds VERY interesting. Thanks fo the opportunity to win it.
Feb 5, 2012 at 7:20 PM I believe the internet has a GInormous role in quilting history. Although it's fairly new, the internet has enabled us to spread fellowship, designs, patterns, history, online shopping, and tutorials (video, and blogging) to an unlimited quilting community. 50 years from now we are going to say, remember when...blogging just started....
Feb 5, 2012 at 5:52 PM I believe that the bicentennial celebration had the biggest impact on the current quilting revival that has provided modern quilters with so many new tools, techniques and inspiration.
Feb 5, 2012 at 5:34 PM The Industrial Revolution was a great boom to quilters. It made cotton material more readily available and affordable to the masses.
Feb 5, 2012 at 11:04 AM I am personally thinking that there is no one incident to the quilting that has been done over the generations, but the ongoing ingenuity of women from all the generations who found a way to use fabric and other materials to make beautiful quilts to keep warm and decorate their homes. The fact that we are still doing this with all the technology that is available is even more astounding. There are lots of ways that creativity is shown over the generations. Quilts have come to be the step back and will continue to be the step forward to generations unknown.
Feb 5, 2012 at 8:43 AM I feel that the most significant contribution has been the development of batting that you can quilt wider than 3" apart. This allows a more creative, freeform, artistic, quilting designs on any quilted item. Also the wide variety of quilt batting that has been manfactured today; heat resistant, extremely low loft to super thick high loft...and just about everything in between.
Feb 5, 2012 at 7:49 AM Such a long history of quiltmaking - I have no idea what the most significant contribution would be but I'd love to win the book.
Feb 5, 2012 at 7:41 AM How many lives were possibly saved because the pioneer
families had quilts to protect them from the bitter cold
of the long winters. That had to be what a quilt was
originally made for. Not for their beauty, but for their
usefulness.
Feb 5, 2012 at 5:47 AM I would love to win this book. Two years ago I made the under ground railroad quilt by Eleanor Burns in a quilting class I was taking. I just loved it when it was finished .
Feb 5, 2012 at 5:24 AM I am a fan of history and first ladies. I have been a fan of Eleanor Burns since I went to a class of hers many, many years ago. I am sure she does a great job representing the first ladies in her new book. Can't wait!
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:14 AM From Betsy Ross creating our Nations Flag to Freedom for the slaves to find their way. To women sewing Remembrance Quilts from their family's faded and out grown cloths. There was pride and love sewn with every stitch, That we should all try to remember when we are working on our own Quilts.
Feb 4, 2012 at 8:59 PM I believe it was two-fold. It was the Baltimore Album quilts recording each communities area of interests recording historical events. Secondly, it was the farm communities where women had little money and they made use of left-over or used fabrics for necessities like everything from clothing, quilts for warmth and household decor. Women were the heroes of their times.
Feb 4, 2012 at 7:37 PM Just new to quilting and would love this!
Feb 4, 2012 at 6:25 PM I think that perhaps the most significant historical event to affect quilting would be the invention of the sewing machine. The sewing machine made it possible to create beautiful quilts in less time. When you can create something and see the finished product in a relatively short time, (as compared to before the sewing machine), it inspires you to want to do it again. Less time=more quilts!
Feb 4, 2012 at 6:24 PM I would love to make a quilt from this book and also to learn more about our past.
Feb 4, 2012 at 5:43 PM The invention of the sewing machine impacted women's lives. Sewing became faster freeing women to do other things.
Feb 4, 2012 at 3:54 PM Fabrics. I love all of the historical fabrics and also the production of the many reproductions. With the help of our wonderful designers who dig up these designs we are learning much about our historical beginnings.
Feb 4, 2012 at 3:37 PM I think printing of quilting patterns would be the answer to this question.
Feb 4, 2012 at 3:14 PM I think there are several, Eleanor Burns and her revolutionary methods; the rotary cutter; need and necessity; several of the First Ladies and much much more! I can't tell you how much I would love to win this book!
Feb 4, 2012 at 2:29 PM I think slavery and the underground railroad was at least the most interesting if not the most significant historical contribution to quilting.
Feb 4, 2012 at 2:28 PM I love the fact that quilting is a way for each of us to keep in touch with our ancestors. This book will help me keep that bond. We can use it to teach history to our children. I would love th have a copy to add to my library.
Feb 4, 2012 at 2:21 PM I think the sewing machine. Without it there would not be so many people sewing for a hobby.
Feb 4, 2012 at 2:20 PM I'm not sure I could say this is the most important historical contribution to quilting but it was very interesting to me. Back when I lived in the South Pacific, a great Hawaiian quilter came to our group to help us learn Hawaiian quilting. She was explaining that when the missionaries came to Hawaii, their wives started teaching the Hawaiian women to make quilts. The Hawaiian ladies thought it was so silly to get nice dress fabric and then cut it up into small pieces and then sew it back together, so they came up with the thought of just using 2 solid pieces of fabric and shaping it with their scissors as they appliquéd the designs on. They created beautiful historic pieces of art and didn't waste much fabric. Now today we have a beautiful, cultural history of quilting producing something definitely identifiable as a Hawaiian Quilt!
Feb 4, 2012 at 1:35 PM I think that the industrial revolution, leading to the abundance of textile mills in the US was the most significant historical contribution to quilting.
Feb 4, 2012 at 1:31 PM Each era has had an historical impact on quilting, but overall, I think that the invention of the sewing machine and industrialization, including the computer age, stand out. Additionally, people historically and currently have a need or desire to be thrifty, reuse, recycle,communicate information, preserve memories, commemorate events, etc. for future generations. All of these continue to impact the evolution of the craft.
Feb 4, 2012 at 12:02 PM I think the most significant contribution to quilting is perseverance to the art. Although it started out as an art of necessity it became a source of pride, love, comfort and a way to share events, history, heritage and craftsmanship.
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:39 AM For myself, I would not attempt quilting without a sewing machine nor a rotary cutter. I've tried and know that would be a deal-ender! Totally love Eleanor Burns. Her books/patterns might actually be third on my list of must-haves to be a quilter! Thanks for the chance to win!
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:55 AM Well, that's a very broad question, but as a person returning to sewing after an absence of many years, I'm going to say that I think the rotary cutter and mat have revolutionized sewing and quilting.
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:28 AM Quilting has made such a historical mark, from using cloth sacks, family clothing, to the hidden markings for the undergound railroad, they have left their mark in history. The first quilts were made out of necessity and were just scraps pieced together. Next, these scraps were put together to make a pattern. Then, these patterns were put together to make a quilt. These original patterns are still used to this day. It continues to amaze me how these colonial women created these quilts by the light of oil lamps or candles!
Eleanor Burns was the very first quilting book I own. It would be such a privilege to be awarded this next book of hers!!
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:12 AM I believe the most significant Historical contribution to quilting would be the invention of home sewing machines. This invention, alone, made it possible to produce beautiful quilts quicker, leading to more creativeness.
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:02 AM I think the colonist and pioneers contributed alot to our present day quilts, they needed to keep the family warm, using quilts on beds, walls and windows. A quilt could be made with left over scraps of new and used fabrics, the designs could tell story and show the creativity of the maker. It was the womens way of expressing herself and also it was a social gather for many women when the quilt frame was put up and the quilting bees began.
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:00 AM I believe the Cival War era was the most significant time when quilts where used to show the slaves how to travel through the Underground Railroad. I've made two Underground Rairoad quilts and one of them is in the Underground Church in China. I wanted my brothers and sisters in Christ to see and hear the story of America's Underground Church history durring our Cival War time.
Feb 4, 2012 at 9:10 AM I believe that the most significant contribution was the the creativity and imagination of the woman who made these quilts. Today we "modern" quilters often copy or create a pattern because we like the colors or the shapes or the decorator statement it adds to our homes. Historical quilts all have a story to tell from the fabrics used to the design. A significant event in the family or community, to chronicle a family's history, or something more definitive like "you are safe here" or "go this way" to things more personal like a mother's love surrounding her child with warmth and familarity. Historicl quilts are truly treasures we should never forget.
Feb 4, 2012 at 8:37 AM The printed patterns, and better fabric
Feb 4, 2012 at 8:20 AM I think the most significant historical contribution to quilting are quilts made before and during the Civil War that helped the runaway slaves to find safe havens.
Feb 4, 2012 at 6:33 AM After using traditional methods of quilting for years and then seeing how quilting changed when Eleanor Burns introduced her strip piecing along with other quick cutting and sewing methods, I nominate that as the most historical contribution to quilting. Another contribution that is right up there is the rotary cutter along with the rotary cutting ruler.
Feb 4, 2012 at 6:18 AM I think the most significant contribution to quilting today is the internet. With the use of the internet you are able to connect to other quilters around the world for ideas, support, help, ecouragement,and of course...friendship. Having the use of the internet had really enhanced my quilting creativity and ability.
Feb 4, 2012 at 5:10 AM As I sit here and think about this question so many answers pop into mind. I think of people like Eleanor Burns who began teaching quilting and creating books to walk people through the process of making quilts but then I also thought of the Kansas City Star newspaper who provided free patterns to thousands of ladies. These patterns are still printed and used today!
Feb 3, 2012 at 8:37 PM I think the most significant contribution to quilting as we know it today is the sewing machine. I believe the most significant contribution in recent years is the rotary cutter.
Feb 3, 2012 at 8:20 PM I think that the SEWING NEEDLE was revolutionary for woman to quilt. Even today with all the new inventions the SEWING NEEDLE is still a basic necessity to be able to quilt.
Feb 3, 2012 at 8:18 PM I think my Greatgrand mother,grandma and mother are my inspiration and the Kansas City Star that they got patterns and ideas from. We now have Eleanor Burns and all the talented people to help us make new history.