MPF Conservation is a full-service company specializing in conservation, restoration and preservation of furnishings of upholstered and non-upholstered objects, textiles and interior architectural elements; this page discusses quilts from the Tualatin Historical Society.
Right, a square from the
Basket Quilt circa 1916.
From their site: “Tualatin Historical Society (THS) was formed in 1986 to preserve and interpret the rich and colorful history of the Tualatin area (eastern edge of Washington County and western edge of Clackamas County). We fulfill that mission through our publications, programs, collections, exhibits and events, and our effort to save historic sites.”
They are located in their own building, the Tualatin Heritage Center, a community center owned by the city but operated by Tualatin Historical Society, at in the 1858 Sweek House, the Tualatin’s oldest building, at 8700 SW Sweek Dr.. Tualatin, Oregon.
We had the fortune to assess several of their historic quilts, featured below.
A note about Foxing: Foxing needs to be understood as it is mentioned often in the textiles pages. Foxing shows up as small rusty-colored spots, sometimes like flecks and sometimes round, example shown left in a historic Wrench quilt from the Tualatin Historical Society. It cannot be removed, as it is an interaction between specific mold spores and mineral oxides. It is NOT a mold, but a by-product. It doesn’t “damage” the fiber per se but should not be allowed to proliferate if possible as it is unsightly, so items with foxing should be stored away from items without it. Make it a habit not to touch an item with foxing then touch one without foxing.
Above, the front, left, and the back side of the Blue/White Wrench Quilt.
Blue and White Wrench Quilt circa 1916
In 1916 women associated with the city of Tualatin created a square in the Wrench pattern, and placed their name in the middle. They met to put the quilt together, and all participated in the hand-quilting. It was gifted to Mrs. Barbara Galbreath.
I am astonished at the beauty of hand-quilting, an example shown right and below in details.
This quilt needs little repair before hand-cleaning. Foxing is present.
Each area of stain needs to be cleaned separately in order to keep the various forms of staining agents from infiltrating areas that are not effected, before a final cleaning of the entire quilt. This should be performed by a textile conservator.
Note: The Tualatin Historical Society has the names of all of the women who participated in 1916.
Below, details of each square:
Front, first row from top.
Front, second row from top.
Front, third row from top.
Front, fourth row from top; below, the six squares of the back side.
Basket Quilt circa 1916-1920
This quilt needs extensive repair before hand-cleaning: couching (above left), mending, and possibly a couple of areas of infill if the squares cannot be mended (which is always preferred) in the torn white areas of the last square (center above).
Foxing is present.
Several types of staining agents were identified, one oily in nature. one very long stain appears to be along a line (right image above) where the quilt may have hung or been folded outward where it was exposed to potential dirt. Each area of stain needs to be cleaned separately in order to keep the various forms of staining agents from infiltrating areas that are not effected, before a final cleaning of the entire quilt. This should be performed by a textile conservator.
Each square shown below.
First row from top, above.
Second row from top, above.
Third row from top, above.
Fourth row from top, above.
Fifth row from top, above, and sixth row from top, below.
Overall Quilt, above.
Scrapbook Quilt by Karen and Mike Riley circa 1994
I understand Mike Riley did many of the images for Karen to carefully create, cut and quilt. Two fabric flowers are in attached, one in each corner.
Excellent condition!
Details of square below
Half of the squares, above.
Center large square, above; second half of the squares below.
Quilt 007.001 From “Tualatin, the Way it Was” circa 1994
One of several quilts in the collection from a themed project instituted by the Tualatin Historical Society, intending to show history and activities around Tualatin.
Foxing present. Needs minor embroidery repairs before cleaning, example shown right.
Details of squares below.
Overall Quilt and first row from top, above.
Second row from top, above.
Third row from top, above, and bottom row, below.
Quilt 007.002 From “Tualatin, the Way it Was” circa 1994
One of several quilts in the collection from a themed project instituted by the Tualatin Historical Society, intending to show history and activities around Tualatin.
Some lovely embroidery on this quilt, example shown right, and inventive use of materials and loose petals. (Please excuse my out of focus image right.)
Needs minor embroidery and quilting repairs, example shown above, and spot cleaning before cleaning, above right.
Details of squares, below.
First row from top , above.
Second row from top, above.
Third row from top, above.
Fourth row from top above, and bottom row, below.
For more quilts visit our Quilt page, and also see the Crater Lake Centennial Quilt.
