tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post5922303581087918429..comments2024-03-28T18:45:45.374-04:00Comments on Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!: Dan River Mills!Bonnie K. Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16377635115790685301noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-29468135454750149522012-08-19T10:04:42.941-04:002012-08-19T10:04:42.941-04:00Bonnie,
So wish I had known about your visit thro...Bonnie,<br /><br />So wish I had known about your visit through Danville. My name is Dana Edmonds Reagan and I am the President of the Schoolfield Preservation Foundation. We purchased one of the Dan River Buildings, built in 1916. We have renovated the main floor, and on July 23rd, 2011, opened the door to the Schoolfield Museum & Cultural Center. It is a textile museum that covers not only the history of Dan River Mills, but also the Schoolfield Community (built for the employees of Dan River), it's culture, people, etc. Would have loved to have given you a tour. We have a cathedral window quilt that Dan River commissioned one of our Board Members to make in 1982 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Dan River Mills. It contains over 1,200 Dan River Fabrics....some pulled out of their archives for use in the quilt. It took one woman about 1,000 hours to construct the quilt and, in 1982, Dan River paid her $5.00/hour for her efforts. After it was used for the 100 year anniversary celebration, Dan River eventually gave it back to the creator and it now hangs in our textile museum. We will be celebrating "Textile Heritage Week" from Saturday, September 29th-Sunday, October 7th. One of the ways that we will be celebrating it this year will be to have quilters bring in their quilts made with Dan River Fabric to be on display during that time. In addition to quilts made from Dan River fabric, we are also asking any Dan River employees who have made quilts (even if not from Dan River babric)to bring their quilts for display since our museum celebrates the workers in addition to the business. Any chance you will be in the area during this time period? Please contact me at TheReagans@cox.net or 540-589-5395. Loved your account of your visit through Danville!!!Dana E. Reagannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-1121258086210825732012-02-04T12:46:35.690-05:002012-02-04T12:46:35.690-05:00My grandpa was a buyer for Parr's dept store i...My grandpa was a buyer for Parr's dept store in York, PA. He would come down here to Winston Salem through Dan River on buying trips. He had acquired tons of fabric and button samples over the years. I have two quilts my grandma made with from some of the sample cards the first was a pieced knit rectangles of different sizes, both sides, tied with no batting. The second with mens light colored plaid shirt fabrics similar to the first picture again two sided tied with no batting. I have many intact fabric sample cards and button cards as well as a jars full of loose buttons. They are treasures. I also have a piced table cloth from table cloth samples.Lucky Duck Dreamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01968961207550409189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-16519606187610194092012-02-03T22:49:22.121-05:002012-02-03T22:49:22.121-05:00I started sewing my own clothing when I was about ...I started sewing my own clothing when I was about 12 yrs old, in the early 50s. I loved Dan River cottons because they had such a good "hand," lasted so well, and were such good colours. In 1971 my husband and I took a trip to Florida (from Ontario) and I was thrilled to buy some lovely Dan River plaids for summer dresses. Dan River made QUALITY COTTONS!grammilouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04764567967851741490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-55833471729931485592012-02-03T22:18:32.796-05:002012-02-03T22:18:32.796-05:00Thank you for a very interesting history lesson! ...Thank you for a very interesting history lesson! Is absolutely NOTHING going to be made in the USA anymore?Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718137744623626322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-29733503802330117162012-02-03T20:01:17.789-05:002012-02-03T20:01:17.789-05:00It's sad to see this part of our proud manufac...It's sad to see this part of our proud manufacturing history fall by the wayside. Happily in my own backyard is Amoskeag Mills which have been saved, refurbished and now home many new businesses and if you want to learn more about our textile industry and the history of the industrial revolution you can visit Lowell National Historic Park. See link below. I think this was a great post. <br /><br />http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htmGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04003204378492456488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-32871760013717081482012-02-03T19:14:52.387-05:002012-02-03T19:14:52.387-05:00Sorry, I had a tough time getting by the old patte...Sorry, I had a tough time getting by the old pattern. Could any woman's waist be that tiny! Oh my...JoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04987759175664670419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-21675159910712528872012-02-03T18:40:11.279-05:002012-02-03T18:40:11.279-05:00My husband's family are from Danville! Love a...My husband's family are from Danville! Love all the old Dan River plaid quilts you founds...YankeeQuilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324287185970922332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-52132816717140503622012-02-03T17:29:19.446-05:002012-02-03T17:29:19.446-05:00This timeline is such a sad picture of what has ha...This timeline is such a sad picture of what has happened to every manufacturing company in America. Our government has created this monstrosity in the name of creating jobs! Really??? I would just love to be able tour a fabric manufacturing plant in the US. I love all the Dan River plaid quilts! They just make my heart sing and they scream "truly made in America." <br /><br />Thanks so much for the pictures!<br />Mariel in MI.Marielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00199760735110590146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-15895495461273645052012-02-03T17:18:37.430-05:002012-02-03T17:18:37.430-05:00My aunt has several quilt squares pieced by my gra...My aunt has several quilt squares pieced by my grandmother which contain Dan River fabrics. They are real treasures. It is very sad that the whole VA/NC/SC area lost their industry to overseas and promises of opportunity from the free trade agreement. I love the dialect from that area. The video was fun to watch... especially, the weee-und.GeeMahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08355228171956132666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-13139971597900700232012-02-03T17:12:25.183-05:002012-02-03T17:12:25.183-05:00I want to know if you found anything to buy!! Thos...I want to know if you found anything to buy!! Those quilts are gorgeous. How interesting.Randy D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06174816898354217740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-65791997997198889502012-02-03T16:25:51.930-05:002012-02-03T16:25:51.930-05:00The video is worth watching for the subtitles alon...The video is worth watching for the subtitles alone - hilarious!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07100411566414523718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-6491553074759599772012-02-03T15:25:38.670-05:002012-02-03T15:25:38.670-05:00Bonnie,
I found this post very interesting on man...Bonnie, <br />I found this post very interesting on many different levels. The fabrics were so 'Americana' to me. I loved all the pictures. It is a tragedy that this mill was closed and the jobs taken overseas. Thanks for posting this!<br />Tammy K.bunbearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18000120935505368764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-13126556212033938452012-02-03T12:26:25.094-05:002012-02-03T12:26:25.094-05:00This was so interesting and sad at the same time. ...This was so interesting and sad at the same time. I guess I didn't realize it, but it was in the 1960's that the fabric industry began to be outsourced. I made many plaid outfits in junior and high school probably not realizing that they were Dan River checks and plaids. I am going to look at my old fabric stash (in the attic) to see if I have any.Becky Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-38643555337125077962012-02-03T11:35:23.353-05:002012-02-03T11:35:23.353-05:00When I first started sewing (clothing) around the ...When I first started sewing (clothing) around the 7th grade, Dan River checks and plaids were my go to fabric of choice. They were readily available at our local JC Penney store. In High School Civics, we had to choose a company & "buy" stock in it, write to them for info, etc. and I chose Dan Rivers. My stock didn't do much, but I was thrilled to get a corporate annual report & a catalog from them, although I was a little jealous of those that chose candy companies because they got samples! But thanks for the tour-I had kind of forgotten about good old Dan Rivers!DianeYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18192777224877044455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-7898467943059341732012-02-03T11:17:12.312-05:002012-02-03T11:17:12.312-05:00My father, deceased long time now, was a textile d...My father, deceased long time now, was a textile designer - mostly for men's suiting. We moved a lot and ended up in the south (Johnston, SC; Raeford, NC; and finally Drakes Branch, VA). He was beginning to see and feel the pinch of mills leaving the US and it definitely did NOT make him happy! I'm glad he did not live to see the final blow to the US textile mills.<br /><br />He was forever bringing home samples of his designs to my mother, who took the now fabric and had them made into suits for her. She proudly wore his designs when they went out.<br /><br />Thanks for that blast to the past!!Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-69752960158821475872012-02-03T11:05:42.947-05:002012-02-03T11:05:42.947-05:00So fun! When I was in high school Woolworths drug...So fun! When I was in high school Woolworths drug store got in a big shipment of Dan River plaids. I remember spending my babysitting money on some and pieced a quilt. Too bad I didn't know anything about value because it's a very beige quilt :-) Still have it on the bed though.marcellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11980574317495245466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-21464820316078486412012-02-03T10:56:29.215-05:002012-02-03T10:56:29.215-05:00if fabric was made in the US..I wonder what the co...if fabric was made in the US..I wonder what the cost would be?? Look at the cost of quilt shop fabric now. Hiring cheap labor does not seem to lower prices...just more profit for the company.JayTeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17321462033733839624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-28890292514857675042012-02-03T10:47:48.385-05:002012-02-03T10:47:48.385-05:00Thanks for the side trip Bonnie. Made me remember ...Thanks for the side trip Bonnie. Made me remember many back-to-school plaid dresses in Dan River plaids that were just the ticket in the Fall. Love seeing the quilt show. Stephani in TX. (Tomazec@aol.com)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-11703355220239484702012-02-03T10:01:39.487-05:002012-02-03T10:01:39.487-05:00I remember Dan River plaids and Mom sewed many of ...I remember Dan River plaids and Mom sewed many of them into clothes for me. That is when my love of plaids began. It is also probably the reason your quilts from plaid shirts resonated so strongly with me and why three of my current projects are from plaid shirts! : )<br />Thanks for this journey, Bonnie. Fascinating!Janet O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05083607398709252597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-30389140453518332852012-02-03T09:41:23.849-05:002012-02-03T09:41:23.849-05:00Very interesting Bonnie! It is sad that we all sol...Very interesting Bonnie! It is sad that we all sold our selves down the river by wanting cheaper products. We are paying the price now, hopefully there will be a resurgence of quality not quantity in our country.Carla A Few Of My Favorite Thingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782840958923418159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-10110488370134824862012-02-03T09:26:34.467-05:002012-02-03T09:26:34.467-05:00Great post Bonnie, my almost 20 years at Hanes inv...Great post Bonnie, my almost 20 years at Hanes involved "transitioning" our supply chain to a more global footprint. That was the nice way of saying moving our manufacturing out of the USA. But Hanes wouldn't have survived otherwise and at least marketing, distribution and some other functions still employ many folks here. I too have saved some boxer fabric swatches thinking I would make a baby quilt someday.Nanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11301631192384221838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-63391356510632960382012-02-03T09:24:45.273-05:002012-02-03T09:24:45.273-05:00I loved the history lesson Bonnie. It is so sad th...I loved the history lesson Bonnie. It is so sad that we aren't producing anything at all these days!!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12460244411628464458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-27589802221107607282012-02-03T09:24:18.109-05:002012-02-03T09:24:18.109-05:00Thanks for the post and pictures. Great reminder ...Thanks for the post and pictures. Great reminder to us all to buy American when possible and keep the jobs here. It may cost more but in the end we are helping ourselves and fellow Americans.One Minnesota Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14324481663679002621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-54974155519573581322012-02-03T09:20:32.473-05:002012-02-03T09:20:32.473-05:00OH WOWOW BONNIE!
Memories galore! We used to sto...OH WOWOW BONNIE!<br /><br />Memories galore! We used to stop at Dan River Mills for me to buy fabrics from the mill store!<br /><br />They offered tours of the mill. Children had to be 10 years or over. By time our last was 10, they had already stopped the tours!!! I literally cried. BUT one of our daughters later studied Textile Sciences. That includes Textile Management, design and engineeriing. HECK she could have worked there! She did, hoever, work for West Point-Pepperill - and since then they have closed too!<br /><br />While we can all realize things have changed greatly - USA Textile Industry has all but disappeared. HOW SAD!<br /><br />"Thanks for the memories" tho.<br />HUGS<br />JulieinTNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13569819.post-48161008466770644072012-02-03T09:07:23.250-05:002012-02-03T09:07:23.250-05:00Thanks for the history lesson and quilt pictures.Thanks for the history lesson and quilt pictures.Donna Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04734691961100209507noreply@blogger.com