New Pathways Into Quilt History

What You'll Find on This Site

When you enter "New Pathways Into Quilt History" you are greeted with the invitation to "Discover the Mystery of Antique Quilts & Textiles with Quilt Historian & Collector Kimberly Wulfert". I urge you to accept this invitation. You won't be disappointed!

A fascinating place to start exploring this site is the "Fabric's and Dyes" section. No other site on the Internet covers reproduction & antique fabrics like this one does. Here you will not only learn about the fabrics of yesteryear but also get a look at some of the newest reproduction fabrics.

Viewing and buying reproductions fabrics is great fun for any quilter interested in the past. But most of us give little thought to how these reproductions are designed and manufactured. Here you will discover that reproductions vary in how accurate they are. For example modern companies usually print their fabrics in a few different colorways. Some are closer to the original than others. After reading these articles you will understand what a challenge reproducing fabric can be. You will look at reproduction fabrics in a new light.

But fabrics are just one part of this comprehensive site. The history of quilting is featured as well. But here you won't find the usual general quilt history. Instead you will find intriguing articles on specific events, styles and periods. For example did you know about the quilts made in Durham, England 100 years ago? Are you aware that our knowledge of quilt history is constantly improving. In one case quilt historians thought they knew that friendship quilts became popular after the discovery of indelible ink. Now new evidence indicates this may not be true after all? You will have to read the article, "Album & Signature Quilt History, 1830 - Today", to find out more.

Be sure to check out the Underground Railroad articles for a better understanding of this controversy. Find out how unlikely these stories are directly from a Black American history expert on the Underground Railroad.

Although most of the articles on this site are related to quilt history you will find interesting information on other aspects of textile history as well. For example you can read the "Godey's Lady's Book" information on how a nineteenth century woman should care for her linens. On another page see how some old sayings are related to textiles. Have you ever wondered where "being on tenterhooks" came from?

I'm sure you can already see how knowledgeable Kimberly Wulfert is on textile topics but do take the time to look over the "Kim's" section to read her bio and learn about the great lectures and classes she offers. I've attended a couple of her presentations at American Quilt Study Group seminars and I can tell you they are dynamic and full of captivating information.

A Sample to Entice You In

In her bio Kimberly Wulfert shares her interests and priorities.

"Researching quilt and fabric dating, collecting textiles and studying quilts and women's history takes precedence over sewing for me, but my ever growing stash would tell a different story! Reproduction fabrics available today are just too wonderful to pass up and when they are gone, they are gone, making new textiles as precious as the old ones!"

Here we find a women who is a top scholar in the area of textiles and quilts but at the same time loves to quilt. She radiates her enthusiasm about both throughout her site.

Thoughts and Musings

I think it's wonderful that a quilt historian of such caliber takes the time to share her articles with quilt history enthusiasts on the Internet. Wulfert has also gathered articles from other top people in the field so that we can enjoy and learn from them as well. This site is a valuable resource to historians, teachers, students and anyone who loves quilts and history.

Go to "New Pathways Into Quilt History" now to take a sampling of what is there. Be sure to bookmark the site as it will take days to enjoy it all. If you have visited this site before you will enjoy the new vintage site design as well as many new articles.