Myths in the American Quilt Story

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  • Опубликовано: 1 ноя 2020
  • What do we know about the story of quilts in America? For those who love quilts, many of the stories we have been told might not be true to history. In this entertaining presentation, quiltmaker, editor, and rogue historian Mary Fons shares some of her discoveries in the world of American quilts. Gee's Bend, Amish quilts, the quilts on the Underground Railroad - these stories and more play a part in Mary Fons's popular presentation, 'The Myths in the American Quilt Story".
    If you like this video, you'll love Mary's live show on Twitch! Multiple times a week, Mary goes LIVE to share more "quilt nerd" content with her passionate audience (they have dubbed the show "Quilt Church", if that tells you anything.) Visit / yomaryfons for Mary's current schedule and join the quilt conversation.

Комментарии • 191

  • @marshahardin8205
    @marshahardin8205 2 года назад +7

    Just an FYI. I remember my Grandmother quilting by the light of the fireplace after the kids and Grandkids were asleep. It was the only time she had to work on her quilts after doing her household chores and helping watch the Grandkids.

  • @sabrinabuoniconti5008
    @sabrinabuoniconti5008 3 года назад +13

    Really enjoyed this alot! Can you imagine judging a quilt by if scissors or rotary cutter were used! Hee hee.

  • @joybranham8250
    @joybranham8250 2 месяца назад +2

    I usually machine piece and hand quilt. Years ago I took my mother-in-law to a quilt show and there was an exhibit showing how a quilt is made. She looked at it, sniffed disdainfully, and said, "Hmmp! Machine pieced!" I said, "Mara, how do you think I do my quilts?" You could literally see the idol tumbling off the pedestal! She replied, "Well, in my day, it wasn't a real quilt unless it was all by hand!" (By the way, she had never made but one quilt in her life--a baby quilt that took her 9 years!) Okay, how far back do we have to take it to make it an authentic quilt? Back to my great-great-grandmother who started with her own sheep, produced her own wool fabric, and turned it into a hand quilted quilt? I don't intend to give up my sewing machine and my beautiful patterned cottons!

  • @debagnes122
    @debagnes122 3 года назад +40

    Nice video. Thank you for telling the truer side of the Gee Bend quilts. As an Black American I'm always troubled when some folks think we live in a closed vacuum as it relates to life. Like your presentation of the information.

  • @Rainydaylily
    @Rainydaylily 3 года назад +42

    I used to get together regularly with 3 friends to quilt. One day one of the husbands asked us why getting together to quilt was called a "bee." One of my friends said, "It's because we "be" quilting."

    • @jwestfalldavis3574
      @jwestfalldavis3574 3 года назад +2

      Gossip buzzes.

    • @BrendaH289
      @BrendaH289 Год назад

      Lol

    • @neridaduncan2710
      @neridaduncan2710 3 месяца назад

      Then why is a "working bee" called a be? Its just what we call a productive get together - maybe?

  • @cherylcawley3370
    @cherylcawley3370 5 месяцев назад +1

    Love you Mary Fons!

  • @katec1153
    @katec1153 3 года назад +6

    Thanks, Mary. I loved it. In the hidden genius department, my church regularly receives blocks and quilt tops, like foundlings, that are dropped as a "gift" for our group that makes quilts for charities. They are usually tops that the quilters didn't like well enough to finish. We usually manage to add a border, or washing to make it okay, if one is looking for a warm hug. (We call ourselves a "circle" not a "bee" .)

  • @tmoore1144
    @tmoore1144 3 года назад +27

    When I posted in reponse to something about the Underground Railroad Quilt being a myth I had someone reply that the Myth felt right to her so she would believe it. And that explains a lot about some issue we have in society. I love myth busting or confirming occasionally.

  • @sewquiltexplore
    @sewquiltexplore 3 года назад +5

    I love the comment about not another binding tutorial! Thank you!!!!! I love learning about the history and the stories behind quilting vs just beginner techniques. Thank you for changing it up!

  • @leafisher2531
    @leafisher2531 3 года назад +16

    Wonderfully informative! I saw your interview with Karen Brown and followed the link here. So glad I did! Myth number 4 really hit home for me. I was one of those that got interested in making a quilt in the 1976 “ revival “ era. I joyfully collected my materials, sewed my top, and quilted it all on my little Kenmore sewing machine. I was so proud of my accomplishment. One lady whom I respected said it wasn’t a “real” quilt because it wasn’t done by hand. It devastated me and I didn’t sew another thing until 17 years later when I moved away and got a job at a fabric store. Love you and your open attitude with a passion for digging for the truth.

    • @ruthm4749
      @ruthm4749 3 года назад +2

      It is heartbreaking when someone you care for actually demeans something you care about. Keep doing what you love, it makes you whole

  • @carleenb9426
    @carleenb9426 3 года назад +8

    Thank you Mary! I have missed seeing you on RUclips. I first watched EVERY Quilty video you made when I first started quilting about 3 1/2 years ago. You are funny, wise and SO VERY helpful!! I'm so excited for this new series.

  • @brideoflevi
    @brideoflevi 3 года назад +6

    As a former first grade teacher who was skeptical of the tale, I so appreciate you addressing the quilt code.

  • @terridunning3450
    @terridunning3450 3 года назад +3

    Mary I watched your interview with Karen Brown and I am now subscribed to your vlog, not because of the contest but because I really missed you. I used to watch your quilting vlog all the time and just lost you when the show was finished. Quilty was fun, lively and informative and I really enjoyed it. Your humor, intelligence and story telling ability are true to life in your new show also and I love it. Keep on being Mary Fons just the way you are.

  • @roxywood5278
    @roxywood5278 3 года назад +6

    Mary you ROCK !! Excellent, brilliant, and blessed to see you again thru Karen Brown. SO HAPPY you are still "real"..... Thank you for being you....... happy New Year !

  • @malloryr4883
    @malloryr4883 3 года назад +45

    Karen brought me here, and this is a freaking hour long video about quilt history!!! Alright folks, let's set up camp- we found our little corner of the internet!

    • @Diniecita
      @Diniecita 3 года назад

      Who is Karen?

    • @aliciapeacock4662
      @aliciapeacock4662 3 года назад +2

      @@Diniecita Karen from Just get it done quilts, another Utube channel, she did an interview with Mary Fons.

  • @jwestfalldavis3574
    @jwestfalldavis3574 3 года назад +5

    It is refreshing to hear clever banter with wit and factual bravado.

  • @veronicaj6361
    @veronicaj6361 3 года назад +10

    I found the history utterly fascinating. Great job!

  • @janisolsen595
    @janisolsen595 Месяц назад

    That was wonderful, thank you for putting that together!😍

  • @stacyharding2083
    @stacyharding2083 3 года назад +5

    I couldn't have loved this more! THANK YOU for sharing all of this!

  • @craftytraveler9238
    @craftytraveler9238 3 года назад +2

    Thank you for this very informative video. I had heard of many of these myths and your explanations and examples really helped me understand. I recently saw a saying on Facebook that said, "Whenever a child learns critical thinking, somewhere a conspiracy dies. "

  • @deborarivera2929
    @deborarivera2929 3 года назад +6

    Oh my gosh ...I learned so much and really appreciated your thoughts on “accidental genius.”

  • @robintroup4368
    @robintroup4368 3 года назад +17

    I am so happy to learn from Karen Brown of Just Get it Done Quilts that you have a new RUclips channel. Thank you for your ongoing contributions to the quilting community!

  • @milestonewelsh
    @milestonewelsh 3 года назад +6

    Hi Mary. So glad to find you here via your interesting interview with Karen Brown. I love myth busting, it gets us to truth.

  • @lisakoehler8502
    @lisakoehler8502 3 года назад +2

    Funny how you pointed out the newspapers on wall. I remember my great grandmothers home having newspapers on the walls. They made flour/water paste and put newspaper as wallpaper. Just brought back a very old memory. Miss my Ma Taylor!

  • @ShadowMoonFarms
    @ShadowMoonFarms 3 года назад +4

    I subscribed to your channel today after watching your interview with Karen. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and will watch more of what you share. Thank you for your thoughts and your willingness to tackle the myths we all sometimes take at face value. You question our preconceptions in a way that I find particularly enlightening and unafraid. Thank you

  • @robinsiler6645
    @robinsiler6645 3 года назад +1

    Wonderful video! Great info. Love knowing more about the history of quilts and quilting.

  • @dianeetcheverry6452
    @dianeetcheverry6452 Год назад

    Good job Mary! You are knowledgeable! I love your style! This is your passion!

  • @kare3800
    @kare3800 3 года назад +2

    Love your honesty, approach and challenge to think about these myths in the context of our complicated history! Thanks Mary, keep em coming.

  • @108Karen
    @108Karen 3 года назад +2

    Loved your presentation. Thank you!

  • @brokenpines8491
    @brokenpines8491 3 года назад +4

    Loved listening to you Mary. Really enjoyed all the myths and your feelings about them. I think you found your calling. Kept me interested!

  • @DonnaDeCourcy
    @DonnaDeCourcy 3 года назад +5

    Interesting to hear about the history of American quilting. Another fan of Karen Brown and happy to binge on your channel to catch up!

  • @beverlywright723
    @beverlywright723 3 года назад +2

    Great video. Love all your work. Looking forward to the next.

  • @Vegasgirlstitches
    @Vegasgirlstitches 3 года назад +1

    Thanks Mary! Loved your talk and learned tons.

  • @DanaJordanOK
    @DanaJordanOK 3 года назад +3

    Thanks, Mary. Great info. I appreciated all the issues you addressed. When it comes to hand work versus machine, I just love creativity. Period. I love possibilities and differences and all the things. Anyway... thanks for posting!

  • @natdls9826
    @natdls9826 3 года назад +3

    The funny thing about the intentional mistake is that I heard about it regarding oriental carpet weavers. It is fascinating how myths are used and transformed in all different cultures.

  • @daynawilliamson9087
    @daynawilliamson9087 3 года назад +2

    Really enjoyed this. Keep them coming. and Thank You!

  • @jeanmcconaughy3336
    @jeanmcconaughy3336 3 года назад +3

    Very enjoyable Mary! Thank you!!

  • @carolmcclelland7379
    @carolmcclelland7379 3 года назад

    Wow lots of food for thought here. Thank you Mary for delving into this topic.

  • @valerieeldridge-doyle2172
    @valerieeldridge-doyle2172 3 месяца назад

    I’m a French women so I never heard of those myth before, it was so interesting to learn more about the history (real or not) of quilting in the US and what impact it has on todays beliefs in the matter. I love you way of explaining things !

  • @liebherrl2599
    @liebherrl2599 3 года назад +4

    This is the quilt content I love to quilt to!

  • @rosesquilts5823
    @rosesquilts5823 3 года назад +2

    Great episode! Thank you for sharing all this info.

  • @TMac4893
    @TMac4893 3 года назад +6

    Thank you so much for this, I hadn't been "tuned in" for the 90's version of Gee's Bend, or the Quilt Code, so these were fascinating. I have to say the intentional mistake, made me laugh; I've heard this in the past, and know it for what it is, the desire to find beauty in the oops, so you don't have to rip apart all the work you've already done. I am looking forward to reading some of the materials you have mentioned and learning more. I enjoy finding things that make me want to learn more and I am certainly finding so much more in the craft I love. Thank you again.

  • @christopherwalker5351
    @christopherwalker5351 6 месяцев назад +1

    Another tacit implication of the "She didn't know she was a genius" myth is the idea that the quilter hadn't worked diligently over a period of time to carefully improve her craft and become a better crafter. Her great skill was just an "accident" and not really the result of her own efforts.

  • @sallydavies8267
    @sallydavies8267 3 года назад +4

    Thank you Mary for this nuanced and interesting piece! It's so nice to see you again - I'm here because I caught your interview with Karen Brown and immediately subscribed, oh yes. I'm a big fan of Quilty from back in the day! Love and peace from Sally, Gloucestershire, UK x

  • @terriatwell4041
    @terriatwell4041 Год назад +1

    Interesting video and lots to think about. I loved the book "Hidden in Plain View"; now I need to reread it and think on it some more. I always thought the way the info was shared was a bit too good to be true, but it is one of those stories I wanted to believe because it speaks so strongly of persistence, ingenuity and most of all of hope. Thank you for sharing your knowledge-lots to think about and more to learn.

  • @CometPartyTV
    @CometPartyTV 3 года назад

    Love love love love love love LOOOOOOOOOOVE. Will definitely be rewatching this one (and getting my hands on that Sanford Biggers book!!)

  • @patriciahomer5342
    @patriciahomer5342 3 года назад

    So interesting! Love your sense of humor. And yes I agree with most of what you said. 😁

  • @brendawallgren8354
    @brendawallgren8354 3 года назад +1

    Yay! I’m so glad you’re doing these videos. You have always been one of my favorite people (that I’ve never met, lol).

  • @susanbrandt3256
    @susanbrandt3256 3 года назад +1

    Very well done! I learned a lot. Thanks!

  • @marci9669
    @marci9669 3 года назад +2

    Wonderful!! I just watched your interview with Karen Brown and could hardly wait to watch your videos! Thank you, I’ve learned so much from you

  • @ellegtown1
    @ellegtown1 3 года назад

    I love seeing you! So glad to learn more from you!

    • @BeeBalm001
      @BeeBalm001 3 года назад

      You did a great job, Mary.

  • @margm4
    @margm4 3 года назад

    What a wonderful video. Thanks Mary. You’ve done so much research. So very fascinating. So many myths discounted..so refreshing. Thanks. 🇦🇺

  • @ninad5692
    @ninad5692 3 года назад +1

    Very interesting, thank you very much! You've shown how absolutely everything happens within a wider context.

  • @lorithompson9523
    @lorithompson9523 3 года назад +1

    Thanks Mary.... Glad you are back. Reconnected through Karen Brown. Love the video

  • @tamartekoaisrael5032
    @tamartekoaisrael5032 3 года назад

    Your delivery is so funny!!!, Yet sincere . Thanks for sharing our story of quilting also. I am a quilter, and you have inspired me even more.

  • @KittyHannah
    @KittyHannah 2 года назад

    Wow....this video! Chef's kiss!

    • @MaryFons
      @MaryFons  2 года назад

      Well thank you, Hannah! :D

  • @marijaneoleary2442
    @marijaneoleary2442 3 года назад

    Hi Mary! I'm so glad to find you here and subscribe to your channel! I watched e rs of Fons and Porter and then enjoyed your Quilty programs. I'm eager for your You Tube stories!

  • @maemae1954
    @maemae1954 3 года назад +1

    I love quilts. Every quilt tells a story. ❤️❤️❤️

  • @hmneill
    @hmneill 3 года назад +4

    I freaking love this. As a history nerd, quilter, and overall critical thinker, this is my jam right here. Thanks for your thoughts on the myths surrounding quilts and quilt history! Well done! Also almost spit out my tea when you mentioned QAnon. 😂

  • @gloriacotten6183
    @gloriacotten6183 3 года назад +1

    I just watched you with Karen of Just Get It Done Quilts. So glad to discover you on RUclips again! Also glad to be introduced to Quiltfolks!

  • @jpetersarted
    @jpetersarted 3 года назад +1

    Wow - this is a thorough inquiry-based way to think about ALL art! I really appreciate your candor and I plan to look up the books and articles - thanks from this HS art teacher! I am sharing this with my professor:)

  • @gaynellgallagher4306
    @gaynellgallagher4306 Год назад

    Loved this! Heard about you from Karen Brown’s (of Just Get It Done Quilts) Quilt Circle and listened to this video while quilting. Fascinating, especially your words about facts v beliefs and what that says about us. I subscribed and will look into your other videos.

  • @aa-dw8rt
    @aa-dw8rt Год назад

    I really love your fact/belief system discussion. Thanks so much for your Quilts Must Go On Series. Great work, am really enjoying your videos.

  • @kimg5784
    @kimg5784 3 года назад +3

    I love you Mary! "If you get up and say things in front of people it can be great or it can cause damage." This needs to be inscribed on White House Door. If only DC had IA common sense!

  • @lauramoore127
    @lauramoore127 3 года назад +1

    Wow... excellent video! So glad I found your channel through Karen Brown. I'm loving the history and quilt education as a newbie quilter. Thank you!

  • @karenhaynes8334
    @karenhaynes8334 3 года назад +1

    Mary that’ was fascinating! Thank you Karen Brown for letting us know about Mary’s channel!

  • @ginabethyoung3276
    @ginabethyoung3276 3 года назад

    I so enjoyed this presentation. I heard you at QuiltCon 2019. You bring a refreshing prospective to quilt history.

  • @janmorrison4141
    @janmorrison4141 3 года назад

    Wonderful on so many levels! I always like listening to you, Mary, but this time was true gold. I was doing an independent study of Gee's Bend and had decided I wasn't going to continue as I realized I don't care why or even how they made what they made - I only want to look at the quilts! As an artist (writer) I hate when people confuse the art with the artist. It's why I so appreciate Elena Ferrante's approach. Anyway...whew! This was great!!

  • @loraineeverard9760
    @loraineeverard9760 3 года назад

    Mary, so happy to find your channel. Came here from Getitdone quilts. I will be subscribing now to make sure I don't miss anything. Love from a cold and snowy Northern England, Loraine.x

  • @mearis8133
    @mearis8133 3 года назад

    Your video was fascinating and informative. You're quite animated! I think I saw an exhibit of the Gees Bend quilts when I was in Virginia a few years ago.

  • @anneloring7717
    @anneloring7717 3 года назад +4

    I just learned from your interview with Karen Brown that you have this channel. Such a pleasure to hear you speak. I will subscribe to anything you produce.

  • @rhondaschellin8878
    @rhondaschellin8878 3 года назад

    🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
    HEY!! I discovered you on your interview with Karen on Let's Get It Done! I'm SO GLAD that I did!!
    You are SO interesting!!
    Yayayayayay!!
    🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

  • @doligirl1
    @doligirl1 3 года назад

    I’ve been fortunate to obtain the big hard cover book all about Gees Bend quilts. They are so amazing!

  • @dtgirl5320
    @dtgirl5320 3 года назад

    Thank you so much, very interesting...❤

  • @karinamcintyre9639
    @karinamcintyre9639 3 года назад +1

    Karen Brown brought me here. I like the lectures and the topics that you discuss in your new channel. Thanks for sharing!

  • @richardrossmell8994
    @richardrossmell8994 3 года назад +8

    I enjoyed every minute! The historical aspects of quilting are significant and so very interesting!

  • @alonaharman2297
    @alonaharman2297 3 года назад

    Found you through the RUclips algorithm suggestion and so glad I did. Great talk! Subscribed and put you on my playlist as I get some solitary quilting done today!

  • @lisareed5669
    @lisareed5669 2 года назад

    Loved this one, natch. I never believed the Underground Railroad one. Love mythbusting that doesn't involve explosions or math, just discussion and reading. Anyway, I'm Scrapitude.

  • @petuniawookie2833
    @petuniawookie2833 2 года назад

    Inspiring! Thank you Mary! Agreeing to disagree is an art also! Much to learn, and keeping it open allows us to continue to learn.

  • @mldietsche4460
    @mldietsche4460 3 года назад

    that was a wonderful and thoughtful discussion on quilts and myth in general. I thought that your ending comments were especially thoughtful and pertinent for today.

  • @jennypirie4724
    @jennypirie4724 3 года назад

    Mary, loved all of the fascinating info shared here, keep going. First time hearing about Gee’s Bend was here, the same day a dear (non quilt) friend of mine brought me a book she had found “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend” it’s a beautiful coffee table book featuring women from Gee’s Bend and their quilts. Don’t you just love how the Universe works.

  • @jackiezorko2562
    @jackiezorko2562 3 года назад

    Excellent information presented in an interesting way! I hope to hear more in the future . Write a book on this topic! I will buy it !

  • @RaiRojas
    @RaiRojas 3 года назад

    Thank you!!!

  • @gaynellgallagher4306
    @gaynellgallagher4306 Год назад

    Loved this! Heard about you from Karen Brown’s Quilt Circle (Just Get It Done Quilts channel).
    Fascinating. I especially liked the discussion of facts v beliefs and what that says about us as a society.

  • @fideleoriordan5293
    @fideleoriordan5293 3 года назад +4

    Thanks to Karen Brown “justgetitdone” quilts I found you. Love the history of quilts.

  • @mib7623
    @mib7623 3 года назад

    So glad to have found your channel. Karen Brown sent me, I enjoyed your interview with her!

  • @victorialopez526
    @victorialopez526 3 года назад

    i absolute loved this video. you did such a good job breaking everything down (factually 😉). I’m a new quilter, but have always loved quilts from all over. i have even have one i bought in China when i was much younger. I’m a retired elementary school teacher and love reading and learning new things. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge with the rest of us. I’m a fan!

  • @JG-yh8wz
    @JG-yh8wz 3 года назад

    Interesting! Thank you! We also have a Covered Bridge Festival here in Ohio. I was shocked to hear you mention it. I loved hearing you also talk about the Bicentennial in your other video. I grew up dressing up for and attending all sorts of events like these when I was a kid. Thanks for the historh.

  • @mindym.1166
    @mindym.1166 3 года назад +1

    Mary ... I think I am in love with you! You almost lost me in the beginning when you were saying some people think you shouldn't think about or talk about the quilting done by people who don't look like you...and then you went ahead and applied your critical thinking and research skills to your subjects to draw very well supported conclusions about these quilting myths! It is only through such effort that we can reach out to one another and understand each other as people, so in my book you got it right! Love your stories, love your passion, and most of all I love your intelligent curious mind! Mark me down as a new subscriber!

  • @jsims963
    @jsims963 3 года назад +2

    Thank you for sharing these truths.

  • @cathinuferrous2336
    @cathinuferrous2336 3 года назад +1

    I like myself better for listen to this lecture 🤩.....I realize I’m a fact person that can still be inspired by things that “could have, probably didn’t, happened” and realize yes... even the “not really true stuff” is also telling something too! I read a book “ invention of wings” it’s a historical novel. One of the characters in this book inspires me to do a “story quilt” of my own life...
    THANKS FOR THE GREAT VIDEO ❣️

  • @laightnightknits4358
    @laightnightknits4358 3 года назад +3

    That lady in the photo is definitely staring at us, Mary. She did not want her photo taken. eep. :)

  • @carolodell5887
    @carolodell5887 3 года назад

    Thank you for this series and I can’t wait to watch but I will have to wait till my hubby is not here or sleeping because he would not be able to hold interest long enough for me to soak it in. I will be back tonight and start binge watching. Don’t get me wrong, my hubby likes my quilting and he is my color picker when I can’t decide but wouldn’t want to listen over the news or one of his shows.

  • @AChickandaDuck
    @AChickandaDuck 2 года назад

    I apologize for commenting a year later, but I was so fascinated by this discussion that I had to! In particular I loved your framing of fact vs belief. As a fact person myself, it’s been really helpful for me to try to understand why people believe things that might not be factually true, and the “why” behind that can be so illuminating. Why do we as Americans believe these things? What does it say about our culture and our history and our self-image? I need to do some reading!

  • @melanienicholson2834
    @melanienicholson2834 3 года назад

    I was told in school, that if you used a machine to make a quilt it wasn't a quilt but a comforter. Not sure why I was thought that.

  • @lesleydrury1240
    @lesleydrury1240 3 года назад

    Quilts r more than quilts. Thank u for ur interesting take on the things we believe. Today we all need to examine this premise in every aspect of society. I will rethink things......as I quilt! Thank you for ur interesting talk, keep them coming!

  • @AudreyAL6
    @AudreyAL6 3 года назад +1

    Karen sent me over here looking forward to seeing more of you happy quilting btw I subcribed

  • @debracavallaro9215
    @debracavallaro9215 3 года назад +4

    You’re doing good! Keep going!

  • @BrendaH289
    @BrendaH289 Год назад

    A quilt is a quilt , handmade or made with a sewing machine!! I’ve never believed that myth of quilts used on the Underground Railroad. I see beautiful quilts all the time ❤ Amish and others!!

  • @margaretlewis2289
    @margaretlewis2289 2 года назад

    Brought guy t to your utube channel by Jaren Brown interview. Can’t wait to watch and listen to your topics while I’m quilting.
    Thank you