Monday, July 5, 2010

Oregon Quilt Documentation

The last Saturday of June I volunteered for the Oregon Quilt Project. I've certainly enjoyed myself both times I have helped. I was asked by Bill and Martha to be a guest blogger on the OQP blog and of course I said I would. You can read my perspective, then return to leave a comment and read the rest of this post. Of course, you can always send an email on the Quilt Project site if you want to leave a comment or get more information.


Because the quilts being documented will be published at a later date I will not be able to show any of the quilts on this blog.

I did, however bring in two quilts to be documented. I've shown this one before, but if you are like me I can look at old quilts more than once!!
The quilts are brought in to a check in desk and if you haven't filled in the paperwork for each quilt you would do that. The paperwork consist of the owner of the quilt and any information you have on. It is very detailed. With my quilt I didn't know much other than I purchased it in Bend, Oregon about 10 years ago from an antique store.

As you can see on the Oregon Quilt Doc site they had two tables set up with 4 women working each table. More information is documented from the actual quilt.
quilt pattern, fabric, batting (if they can tell) backing, year of fabric, damage, etc. It is all very detailed.
It was nonstop all day so I didn't really get a chance to hear what they said about my quilt, other than the block was a variation of Washington's Pavement and the approximate year was 1876-1900. I think they date it by the earlier fabric and the later fabric.



Next the quilt comes to the photography station where the talented Bill Volckening positions the quilt correctly with his volunteers and takes anywhere from 5-10 photos. (you must check out his quilt collection!! If we had any down time I was trying not to drool on his computer while he showed us some of his quilts)


I believe this was one of the older fabrics in my quilt.



It's amazing what you find when you take the time to really look at a quilt!! All 4 tiny corners were a different fabric. Do you see the make-do patches also?

Before the quilt is returned to its owner a quilt doc label is pinned on. I plan on appliqueing these down very soon. It is another important step in the Oregon Documentation process.
Bill and Martha are so friendly and professional. The volunteers take their job seriously and do a terrific job as well. I recommend if you have a quilt that resides in Oregon please take the time to find out where they will be working and get your quilt documented.

16 comments:

  1. Interesting; what a cool project to be involved in. Love the Washington Pavement block, and your quilt!

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  2. I would love to get involved in something like that. I need to follow up on the Wisconsin project to see if I can get my family heirloom quilt registered. Those quilts are awesome!

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  3. That sounds like alot of fun! I can't imagine finding a quilt in a dumpster! Thank goodness it was saved!

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  4. That quilt is such a treasure. I didn't notice from the first picture that the corner fabrics are different. It's great that there are projects like that to identify and document quilts.

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  5. Very interesting! I'd be drooling too :)

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  7. I found a quilt using oak leaves in the corner of the blocks. It is found on http://reproquiltlover.blogspot.com
    It is on her April 26th post. It would be a lot of work but isn't it pretty?

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  8. That is so nice you were able to be involved. I enjoy looking at your quilts, old or new. It is fine by me to post the photos more than once.

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  9. Wow - I could spend A LOT of time looking at Bill's quilts!! They're fabulous. Your post for the project was so great too. So many wonderful old quilts...sigh. I better go get sewing! :0)

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  10. Quilt documentation days are always interesting...so glad you enjoyed it!

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  11. how lucky you are to be involved in this project, Love this quilt of yours and yes the make do corner is just so fun to find in the quilts
    I am always looking for those little surprises in quilts
    Kathie
    thanks for sharing.

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  12. How interesting, I bet you saw some incredible quilts!
    I love the pink and the old browns in your quilt.
    Have fun!

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  13. I love the cross quilt. How exciting to be involved in the documentation, I'm quite envious.

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  14. What fun. And how exciting to learn a little more about an old quilt.

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  15. I think that is such a worthwhile project...love the quilt you featured. It must be fun to see all those old beauties.

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  16. sounds like a fascinating and important project to be a part of. thank you for sharing.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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