THE QUILT REGISTRY
It’s history and what’s it all about
As 1975 celebrated the bicentennial of the United States, it was a time to reflect on heritage and history. People became interested in “family trees,” rediscovering treasures in the attic, migration and immigration; an interest in their roots. Amongst these wonders were family quilts. In many states, documentation programs were instigated particularly quilts from before 1940; the history of family and fabric was recorded. As this work became better known, the idea spread to Canada.
Three quilters in the Montreal area picked up the challenge in the late eighties. Diane Marchand was curious about the number of quilts as Quebec was better known for woven bed covers. “Freddy” Wilson enjoyed the never ending stories associated with the pieces. Adaire Schlatter wanted to investigate the craft in the context of the French/English community. Bilingual forms were designed, a system of work evolved and volunteers were found.
The first registry day was December 7, 1991, at the St. Lambert Community Center – in a snow storm – thirteen quilts were recorded. It was a beginning! Now, eighteen years later, the “blue book” numbers 3,173. The quilts date from 1726 to the present day. Some are pristine, some in tatters, all have something to add to the grass roots investigation.
How does this process work? We are a basic team of four to eight volunteers who register, inspect and photograph. The host group is asked to sew on the official labels. We will travel to any place in the province with the proviso that there are at least twenty-five quilts. A $5.00 fee per quilt is charged to defray the cost. The registrar takes the information of the owner and quilter. Who? Where? When? Why? How? Sometimes there are no answers as the piece may come from a flea market/auction/attic. In many cases, pride of family showing an heirloom, handed down carefully from generation to generation, appears. These stories are now recorded. The program is for quilts housed in Quebec, not necessarily made here.
At the inspection table, many details are noted. What is the design, is it original or from a book? Colors and fabrics are good clues to dating. How was the sewing? By hand or by machine? Until recently, 90% were hand quilted, but now, with the “instant society”, machine quilting is in favor. The variety of fabric is to be observed.
The final procedure from the team is the digital photo; a photo frame with black background fabric is used. The overall pattern is enhanced in the vertical position. When warranted, details and/or lining photos are also taken. Lastly, the label is sewn on the reverse side. Museums sometimes opt to keep labels separate where fragile textiles are involved. As each quilt is added to the Registry, a unique registration number is assigned to the quilt as appears on the quilt registry label. A copy of the completed registration document including the photography is sent to the quilt owner.
Quebec Quilt Registry functions under the umbrella of Courtepointe Quebec Quilts, the provincial association for quilters and quilting groups. The CQQ Quilt Registry archives are domiciled at The Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Research Institute for Studies in Canadian Art of Concordia University. The quilt information which have been collected for the past 20 years are being computerized and will become a resource for research purposes. These Quilt Registry archives are open to the public for consultation at the Institute.
Part of the current effort in digitizing the Quilt Registry records includes the development of a website to serve as a resource for research and studies. If all goes well, by mid-May of this year, the website will provide public access to a good portion of the bank of images of registered Quebec quilts and their physical descriptions, over the Internet. This is presently in the process of being computerized.
For information on holding a quilt registry day or to have your quilt(s) registered, send an e-mail to enregistrement‑quilts‑registry@cqq.ca or contact Carla Hehner Rivard at 450‑671-7505 or Louise Picard at 450‑827‑2653