I have been posting in this Material Culture blog space on a regular schedule for 16 years. My major purpose since 2009 has been to discuss antique quilts with news of museum exhibits, discussion in academic forums, meetings and seminars with papers by textile and specifically quilt historians.
As you may realize, exhibits in government-funded museums are history. With no government grants or financial support for art, women's studies, humanities and accurate American history no museum can afford to rent a traveling quilt show or organize their own. Currently I can find no American antique exhibits at state-sponsored or federally-backed museums to discuss. (Do see the recent Australian show on quilts made of war uniforms a few weeks ago here: https://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2025/04/annette-geros-show-in-australia.html )
A second purpose has been to keep quilters informed about reproduction quilting fabrics that I and other designers have been producing for decades in a smoothly running partnership of international suppliers, printers, designers and retailers. Now there is no way to make sense of the train wreck of current American trade policy... I see Moda is raising yardage prices by 7% (wholesale.)
So I find myself with little to write about. My plan is to post information if I can find anything positive to say but no longer on the regular schedule every few days. Just when something relevant might interest readers.
Check back every so often. Who knows? Things might look up!
You said it - "if you can find anything positive to say." It's harder and harder every day to keep our chin up.
ReplyDeleteI will always check in here! I understand. I have loved your writing for (gasp!) decades, and appreciate what you do.
ReplyDeleteI expected price increases for months now. And the cost of printing on both fabric and paper will go up, along with the cost of shipping.
Thanks for being a bright spot, whenever you're available!
Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo many thoughts in my head, most not a kindly view of current events. Once again, the battle against willful ignorance and the rejection of science must be raised. And then there's the whole subject of "improper" art and history education - as in women and people of color being shoved off the pages and out of the museums again.
ReplyDeleteI hope the museums survive all the mayhem. I read long ago that everyone wants to donate Grandma's quilt to the local museum, but no one wants to contribute Grandma's savings account to help keep the museum open or care for that quilt. Then they get peeved when the museum sells Grandma's quilt to raise money to fix the roof. That's even more true now!
I hope you aren't away for too many long stretches. It could be time to go back and start (re)reading your posts from the beginning. And then there's all the other specialty blogs you've had over the years to read. These are the others that I know of, am I missing any?
Civil War Quilts (currently active with BOM posts)
Cloud of Quilt Patterns
Quilt History South
Women's Work: Quilts
Chintz Panel Quilt
Grandmothers Choice: Votes for Women
Quilt 1812: War and Piecing
I think you have the textile related blogs Gail. Some for my family, old bandmates and one current local history: https://narrativethreadlawrenceks.blogspot.com/
DeleteI must admit I have been absent from Blogland for much of the past few years, but whenever I do find my way back, your blog writing always brings me joy. We are all caught up in the craziness of our current administration. Please know that we appreciate all your hard work over the years. I hope that our efforts to keep moving forward with sane conviction will keep our planet safe for the next generation. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy and a virtual hug to you.
DeleteCults don't usually transfer very well, so when he's dead I expect we will begin to see a very, very slow recovery. I'm looking at this as Covid Part II right now. I've gone to ground myself and just don't travel anymore. The heartbreaking thing is the people who are going to lose everything, who depend on just-in-time delivery which collapses in any lockdown. Because that's what we are facing again, a lockdown, but due to a different 'virus'. Luckily your blog is already a treasure trove and I plan on spending more time thumbing through it (currently doing that with all your books too). Thanks for all the tools you've already given us!
ReplyDeleteFor as long as you continue to post I will continue to check. Thank you for decades of research, communication, outreach and sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnother note of appreciation for your many years of shedding light on quilting and its connection to our history. So many government policies and funding priorities are changing right now. It is going to take awhile for us to fully grasp the impact. Thank you for sharing your observations regarding the implications in your corner of the world. Perhaps part of your role now is to help us understand that what happens in Washington eventually filters down to each of us.
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