QUILT INDEX RECORD
5-2-54
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
Illinois State Museum
Who documented this quilt?
Illinois Quilt Research Project; Illinois State Museum Collection
Illinois Quilt Research Project Registry Number:
QU257
Alternate inventory control number:
1992.19
Person filling out this form is:
Relative of quiltmaker
Ownership of this quilt is:
Public Museum, Library or Institution
Quilt owner's name:
Illinois State Museum
Quiltmaker's Name (top):
James, Mary Ellen McLain
Quiltmaker's country:
United States
What is the quiltmaker's birthdate?
1847 IL
Date and place of quiltmaker's death:
1934 IL
Anything else we should know about the quiltmaker?
Quilter's husband cut out all the pieces for this quilt. He was a disabled Civil War veteran.
How did the owner get the quilt?
Gift
How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?
Made entire quilt
Where the quilt was made, city:
Meredosia
Where the quilt was made, county:
Morgan
Where the quilt was made, state:
Illinois (IL)
Where the quilt was made, country:
United States
Anything else we should know about this quilt? (i.e. customs, stories):
Quilt was given to maker's sister, Alice McLain Wade, and passed down in her family.
Date owner signed the form:
1992
Pattern name; used by owner or by maker:
Seven Stars (LAC 8)
Pattern name; reference name:
Seven Sisters
Source of pattern name and number. Include if it is a variation.
241
Date provided by maker/owner:
ca. 1870
Date estimated by IQRP:
ca. 1870
Who estimated the quilt's date?
Jan Wass, Curator
Time period:
1850-1875
Length:
82
Width:
68
Block size:
4
Quilting stitches per inch. Are they even?
7
Format:
Finished quilt
Piecing techinques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Piecing
Construction (top):
Block pattern
Block style (top):
Hexagons
Arrangement of quilt blocks:
Straight
Number of full blocks; pieced, appliqued, and plain:
210
Fabric; fibers:
Cotton
Fabric print:
Solid/plain; Multiple scrap
Predominant colors (top):
Brown; White
Overall color scheme:
Multicolor
Describe the quilting designs used:
All-over diamond grid.
How are the layers held together?
Hand quilting
What type of thread was used for the quilting?
cotton
What color was the quilting thread?
white
Spacing of quilt blocks:
Side by side
Describe the quilt setting:
alternating with plain triangles
Describe the borders:
3 narrow borders, butted, hand sewn.
Binding and edge treatment:
Back turned to front
Materials used in the quilt binding:
Cotton
Fabric structure of the binding:
Plain weave
What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?
less than a half inch
Shape of edge:
Straight
Shape of corners:
Straight
Filler:
Cotton
Thickness:
Thin (Less than 3/16?)
How many pieces of fabric were used to make the quilt back?
3
Backing; fiber content:
Cotton
Backing; fabric:
Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain
Backing; width of pieces (in inches):
33
Backing; color:
Cream
Condition:
Good/moderate use
Describe specific damage to the quilt:
Disintegration of fabric; Stains
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
Copyright holder:
Illinois State Museum
Quiltmaker's maiden name:
McLain, Mary Ellen
Cite this Quilt
James, Mary Ellen McLai. Seven Stars (LAC 8). 1850-1875. From Illinois State Museum, Illinois Quilt Research Project; Illinois State Museum Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=5-2-54. Accessed: 03/28/24