Quilts and More Quilts

Last Tuesday we had two volunteers help catalog some of our quilts. Each quilt was a surprise as we unrolled them for the first time. One even ended up being a woven coverlet instead.
We all admired the time and patience it took to make these hand sewn quilts.

This quilt was made by the Ladies Aid Society of the Algoma Methodist Church of Oshkosh in 1892. Each square features 10 names. Do any of them look familiar?

The volunteers were very helpful in identifying the patterns and fabric used. Scraps and silk pieces were most common. Unfortunately we found that some of the silk has disintegrated.

We have a lot of crazy quilts in our collection. I think this is one of the craziest.

Speaking of quilts...

Hi Curator Deb here! A big thanks Marillyn and Sandra for lending Katrina their expertise on the quilts. As you can see above, they had a great day making discoveries.  

It was quilt week here at the museum because I too had a meeting with the planners of the Lakeside Quilters 2014 conference.  I am very excited to be representing the museum and showing off some of our quilts and their history at the event.  One of the quilts we looked at was this child's size made with a pieced basket and appliqued berries and foliage.

We are also thinking of presenting a quilt square challenge as part of the event and using a pattern from one of the museum pieces. One option looked at was the below block with pattern pieces cut from an old mail order catalog. Do you know the name of this block pattern?  My guess would be "Waste Not, Want Not" after the colorful pattern pieces used.

Keep watching as our quilt projects progress.

Unique Item: Flight Helmet

One of my jobs is to look through the collection and record the scope and condition of the objects. Sometimes I get pleasant surprises when I open boxes. Today I am sharing two of those surprises, which happen to fit the steampunk theme. 

These two WWII aviator helmets may be later than Queen Victoria's reign, but they would fit right at home on the head of a steampunk airship pilot.

 

An A-11 flight helmet by Mondl Manufacturing Corporation of Oshkosh. The built-in radio headset is missing. Inside the helmet, the former owner wrote in the date: Feb. 15, 1945. 

A second A-11 flight helmet that has an electrical cord attached to a receiver  The date April 3, 1945 is written on the inside. 

Both helmets don't completely conform to the standard A-11 helmet. They may have incorporated changes made near the end of the war or were prototypes that were not mass produced.

These make me want to jump into the nearest hot air balloon, zeppelin, or biplane and go on an adventure.

Happy flying!

Katrina

A Wrinkle in Time

Our two steampunk costumes have been waiting patiently for their exhibit debut. In case you missed it, I previously showed a sneak peek of the dresses and Deb's repair work. By putting them on dress forms a few weeks ahead of time, the dresses can begin to relax their wrinkles.

Today we are giving them a little extra help.

Deb, following the advice of the textile conservator at Midwest Arts Conservation Center in Minneapolis,  brought a new Ultrasonic cool humidifier. Using a long tube we can direct the "steam" to parts of the dress that need attention. The silk dress has not lost its wrinkles from being stored in acid-free box storage, even though acid-free tissue used to soften the folds.

"Steam" reaches the tube's end and not only gently de-wrinkles the fabric without harming it, but also adds some needed moister back into the delicate fabric.  The process takes a while, but the results are worth it.

Deb and I are both excited to display these fantastic dresses.

Transitions

Here at the museum we are putting away the Oshcars exhibit to make way for Steampunk. The gallery doors are closed and not much appears to be happening. However, the transition between exhibits is one of the busiest times at the museum. Items need to be taken down and put away from the ended exhibit and new objects installed correctly yet interestingly for the new. Everyone behind the scenes is super busy. 

We are also in another transition: spring! The weather is getting warmer and the sun is making welcomed appearances. In celebration of this, I decided to search the collection for the biggest hats I could find. These hats don't disappoint. They are a classy way to block the sun.

This lovely hat is adorned with spring accessories, perfect for those summer tea parties.

Brim span: 19 inches

A black velvet hat for the more somber occasions, dressed up with feathers.

Brim span: 20 inches

A delicate straw hat with flowers. This is the largest hat I could find, hidden away in a box.

Brim span: 21 inches

Perhaps this will inspire you to transition from your winter to summer clothes, or remind you of all the things that need to get done. Whatever the case may be, I hope your transitions go smoothly. 

Happy transitions! 

Inspirations for Steampunk Costumes

Last post we showed hints of the costumes that will be featured in the steampunk exhibit. However searching through the collection, Deb and I both found other items that reminded us of steampunk fashions. This time we can show you the whole garments since they won't be on display.

First up is my choice. When I opened the box I was captivated by the black velvet and braided detail (called passementerie). I can imagine a Victorian lady wearing this dark and mysterious cape.

 

Dolman capes were popular among the fashionable women of the 1870s and 1880s. 

An up-close view of the fantastic passementerie detail.

Next up is Deb's choice. She spotted this fancy bodice heavily decorated with beads, lace, and velvet. This piece really dazzles and would be a hit at any high class Victorian event.

This piece comes all the way from London, made by Garnier et Cie Confections. 

Thousands of beads adorn this piece. Just imagine the hours it took to complete!

So which one do you think is more steampunk: the velvet cape or the beaded bodice?

Either way, they both are marvelous Victorian Era costumes.

Sneak Peek: Steampunk Costumes

Here at the Oshkosh Museum, everyone is excited for our upcoming exhibit: Steampunk. Deb and I are especially excited to see all of the artwork, gadgets and costumes come together. For our contribution we picked out a few historical costumes that look like they would fit right at home in the steampunk genre. Before we can set them on display, each costume's condition is carefully recorded and repairs are made.

Deb's tools to make sure the clothing is in tip top shape for the exhibit. 

A side view of one of the Victorian costumes. The royal blue chenille trim needed repair.

Rich gold taffeta with pinstripes makes this bustle stand out.

Part of our menswear costume. The button stands in wonderful contrast to the dark velvet.

If you wish to see these items and more, come visit the exhibit this summer, June 8-September 8. 

The fantastical world of steampunk awaits you. 

Katrina

Getting the Picture B"Gosh

Oshkosh, the city, is often confused with OshKosh B' Gosh, the overall (and later children's clothing) company. We are two different entities, even spelled differently.

However, the Oshkosh Public Museum does have some OshKosh B'Gosh overalls in their collection. Check out this sweet pair originally worn by donor (Marjorie Miller, pictured below) when she was a child of 6 years, circa 1918;  then worn by her son (Robert Larson) and nephew (Richard Zahn) in the 1940s.