Help: quilting songs

Subject: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 01:52 PM

i'm producing another special quilting marathon ... including special stuff on antique quilts. we show quilt reels that feature local quilts we tape in the studio, and am looking for music to use for the show.

last year i used some great music -- from jay ungar and molly mason -- then we decided to sell the tape and i replaced their music with public domain fiddle tunes...

if i work ahead this year (its in the late summer) i can possibly include some really great music and work it out to have them in the saleable version. (we use the tape as a pledge incentive). we are kixe-tv, the pbs station for northern california, based out of redding, california.

... thanks folks

... lor

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 02:38 PM

The only one I know of is The Quilting Party, also called Seeing Nellie Home. It's in the DT, but I can't get to it today.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 03:03 PM

thanks sorcha... i'll check it out...

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 06:23 PM

Linda Allen (see other thread) has a beautiful quilting song on her Washington CD...Also I think Anne Mayo Muir sings on on one of the trio cd's...

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Barbara
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 06:27 PM

And I just posted a link to it on the Linda Allen thread, but here it is again: Weaving and Quilting
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 10:01 PM

I'm not sure exactly what the music will be used for, but if it's background music for a film involving quilts...I would suggest music that fits the mood and topic of the designs being discussed, or just songs that were popular during the time and place a pattern was used. I'm thinking various songs that pioneer women heard, or songs with various state names, or historical events that occurred during a time period given. When you mentioned Jay and Molly I of course thought of Ken Burns' specials which seem to use background music that fits the mood and/or time period of the topic as opposed to having words about the topic. Fiddle tunes sound like a great choice regardless of the name of the song or the words to the song.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: KickyC
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 10:37 PM

I did a quilting and folk song program for second graders a couple of years back. I took the names of the blocks that I had in my quilts and related them to different folk songs. I had that list around here somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it now, of course. For example, one quilt I have is an Irish Chain in which I quilted flowers if the open blocks. I used the song "Sally Gardens" to go with that. It really gets to be fun. I started designing quilts to folk song themes. A friend is encouraging me to make a book of them. Well, someday, when I retire.

KickyC

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: GUEST,Sian in Wales
Date: 17 Apr 00 - 04:34 AM

I would love to hear more about the final project. There's a group of people in mid-Wales who started a quilting centre a few years ago and the hope is to establish it as a European quilting centre.

Music-wise, hymns took over as work-songs among women in Wales... although a great number of hymns of the 19th century used folk tunes (and vice versa), so I can't add anything useful to your search. But I love KickyC's idea...

sian

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 17 Apr 00 - 06:30 AM

Pete Sutherland wrote a beautiful song called Endless Chain, recorded by Metamora (Pete, Malcolm Dalglish, and Grey Larsen) on their eponymous album. It's about quilting and dancing and a simpler time, and includes the names of many quilting patterns in the lyrics. It was on Sugar Hill Records, 1985 - I don't know if it's been rereleased, but it's definitely worth tracking down. I think it would be perfect for you. Sorry it's too late for me to post all the words - includes about fifty names of block patterns.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: folk1234
Date: 17 Apr 00 - 09:46 AM

Dear Rainbow:
Let me suggest my favorite Quilting/Woman's song, Tree of Life by Eric Poltoniemi. There is another "Tree of Life", traditional, I think. Eric's is from the play entitled "Plain Hearts: Songs and Stories of Midwestern Prairie Women" by Lance S. Belville, music and lyrics by Mr. Peltoniemi. The first two verses are comprised entirely of the names quilting patterns, but its the last last verse that delivers the powerful message. It says, "We're only known as someone's mother, someone's daughter, or someone's wife, but with our hands and with our vision, we make the patterns on the Tree of Life". I learned it from Bok, Muir, & Trickett's, "First 15 Years - Vol I" album. I also have a taped version from the original play which is a true treasure. I think I can find and send all the words, if you would like.

Subject: Lyr Add: Tree of Life^^
From: folk1234
Date: 17 Apr 00 - 09:53 AM

Dear Rainbow:
Here are the lyrics. Joe Offer posted these in response to an earlier thread entitled "Women's Song Circles.
Please enjoy,
folk1234

Click here.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 09:37 PM

thanks for all the great ideas folks! i will share these ideas with my friend who is secretary of the national quilting association. she has directed a few presentations of the play QUILTERS, and is always looking for songs that can be played in the lobby pre-show... she is our co-host of our quilting special.

keep those quilting songs coming!

i love your idea kickyc... of the quilt patterns based on folk songs... very cool indeed! i'd buy it...

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Hollowfox
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 01:27 PM

Here are a couple of audiocasettes you might like. "Heart of Quilting" by Dan Duggan and Cathy Barbano, Esperance Music RD#1 Box 208, Red Creek NY, 13143 (1992) (This has both music and stories, as I recall.) "Spin the Weaver's Song" by Carla Sciaky was put out on the Green Linnet label as part of the Redbird series. I don't have an address, but I'm sure they have a website.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 07:27 PM

I have a poor quality copy of the score of 'The Quilting Party' c/w duet harmony in the chorus. I haven't quite finished notating it yet but I wouls ask anyone who knows the song to have a look at it please and ensure that I've come as close as possible to the tune. The actual note pitches should be OK, but I've had to do some educated guess work on some of the note durations. I'll let you know when it's available on Mudcat MIDIs. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 11:21 PM

thanks for the info on "heart of quilting" hollowfox... can you tell me any more about it? i'm going into production in june... show is in august. thanks so much!

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rangeroger
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 11:32 PM

Hey Lorraine, don't forget to edit the quilt.
rr

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Hollowfox
Date: 03 May 00 - 06:35 PM

For what it's worth, I haven't heard either of the tapes in a while; I loaned them to a spinner/weaver girlfriend, and when I read your posting, I called her up and got the buying information over the phone. I bought both tapes about three years ago at a large medieval event. The "merchant" was/is Tomes & Tunes / Sondra Alden / 131 S. Steuben / Chanute, Kansas 66720. I do remember sure that Heart of Quilting had stories and monologues, as well as songs. I hope this helps.

Subject: Lyr Add: Patchwork Quilt^^
From: raredance
Date: 03 May 00 - 08:36 PM

This one is more about the meaning of the unfinished project than the process of quilting itself, but I still think it is related enough to include. The song was recorded by Sweet Honey In The Rock on thier "In This Land" album .

PATCHWORK QUILT by Michelle Lanchester (1988 Mikkel Music)

They unfolded your lives one by one
They laid our your patchwork under the sun
And people gathered from miles around
To witness your quilt spread on the ground

Refrain:
And then they called our your name
And then they called our your name
And then they called our your name
Oh and you will live forever
You know that I'll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt

Well there were men and women, mothers and fathers
Sisters and brothers, daughters and sons
And children and babies, and lovers and friends
They all lay before me sewn into one

Your lives had meaning, your lives had joy
You touched so many people, many more than you will know
And you wrapped yourselves around me
As I walked down these rows
You're letting me feel your beautiful souls

You know that I'll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt

My heart spills over, flowing with tears
I cry for your suffering and for your shortened years
And I'll take you with me as I walk away
Remembering you who have died with AIDS

Refrain:
Yes, I remember your names
Yes, I remember your names
Oh and you will live forever
You know that I'll be loving you
Just like a patchwork quilt
I'll be loving you like a patchwork quilt.

rich r Refrain:
I feel the warmth of your lives
I feel the warmth of your lives
Oh and you will live forever

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 11 May 00 - 10:38 PM

hey rog... i will definitely have to edit the quilt!

i love that sweet honey in the rock song. i went to a coffee house in chico once and there were aids quilts on the wall. the power in the room was something i had rarely felt.

still searching for songs.... i will make a list of my resources collected and share them in this wonderful digital traditional archive.

what a cool place!

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Chicky
Date: 12 May 00 - 03:46 AM

The Weavers recorded an Earl Robinson (I think!?) song called the Quilting Bee. As far as I can recall, the lyrics of the first verse are:

Oh, the world is all in pieces
like a crazy quilt
that's lying all apart
all the different colours and the different forms
but put 'em all together and it keeps you warm
Pick up the pieces
Let's do it right
Let's sew 'em all together, make it good and tight
Let's have a quilting
Let's have a quilting
Let's have a great big Quilting Bee

There's a lovely Canadian singer-songwriter, Cathy Miller (currently touring Australia) who is writing a collection of songs about quilting stories. I think she's planning to put out a CD of them this year or next.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: rainbow
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:34 PM

thanks chicky,

i'll try to look her up. unless anyone knows how to find her. (canadian singer cathy miller)

hey rog... speaking of editing quilts.... i did have to explain the difference between a rough cut and a final edit to some older folks who couldn't quite "imagine" how the final edits would look. so the analogy was like sewing... this video is basted together, i told them... and later you'll have fine french seams and tight stiches etc. ...

i thought it was a good analogy. but they still didn't really get it.

:-)

... lorraine

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Chicky
Date: 13 May 00 - 10:27 PM

Hi Lorraine

'Til the end of June, you can get Cathy Miller on [e-mail]

Tell her a SCQuilter sent you!

cheers Chicky

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Crowhugger
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 11:22 PM

Refresh, to see what there might be 10 years later.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 11:54 PM

Cathy Miller has recently recorded her fifth CD of quilting songs......info here

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: GUEST,patsy
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 12:05 AM

Larry Penn's "Grandma's Patchwork Quilt" -
"On my Grandma's Patchwork quilt
Squares of corduroy and Silk
Red and green and blue, and yellow too
On my grandma's patchwork quilt"

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 06:17 AM

There is a jig (probably Irish) called "Skiver the Quilt".

"skiver" = "skewer", and "quilt" usually meant "mattress" when the tune was composed, so the activity alluded to isn't exactly quilting.

Subject: RE: Help: quilting songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 08:41 AM

My mother Dahlov Ipcar had one quilting verse in her children's book I LOVE MY ANTEATER WITH AN A, © 1964, which runs:

I love my quail with a Q because he is quiet.
I hate him with a Q because he is quarrelsome.
His name is Quincy. He comes from Quebec.
He lives on quahogs and quinces,
And he is quite a quilter.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble