QUILT INDEX RECORD

5-2-278

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:

SP724

Alternate inventory control number:

1953.17 (701950)

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):

Ferguson, Sarah Irwin

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

What is the quiltmaker's birthdate?

ca. 1804

Was the quiltmaker married? If yes, when?

ca. 1825

Quiltmaker's spouse's name:

Ferguson, Benjam

Spouse's occupation:

builder

Did the quiltmaker have any children? If so, how many?

3

How many of the quiltmaker's children were girls?

1

How many of the quiltmaker's children were boys?

2

Anything else we should know about the quiltmaker?

See other two quilts in Museum's collection.

How did the owner get the quilt?

Inheritance

How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?

Made entire quilt

Where the quilt was made, city:

Springfield,

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):

In 1880 Sarah was living with her daughter and son-in-law Jacob Bunn in Springfield. Jacob was the president of the Illinois Watch Factory. Also living in the house were their 6 children and 3 servants.

Date owner signed the form:

1953

Pattern name; used by owner or by maker:

Star Medallion with Tumbling Blocks

Date provided by maker/owner:

ca. 1880

Date estimated by IQRP:

ca. 1880

Who estimated the quilt's date?

Jan Wass, curator

Time period:

1876-1900

Length:

69

Width:

60

Binding width:

1 1/2

Format:

Finished quilt

Piecing techinques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing; Foundation Piecing

Stitches used to apply motifs:

Top is pieced independent of foundation fabric.

Construction (top):

One patch or allover

Block style (top):

Diamonds

Fabric; fibers:

Silk

Fabric print:

Striped; Print; Plaid; Solid/plain

Predominant colors (top):

Black; Beige or Tan

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Grid/crosshatch

Describe the quilting designs used:

Machine quilted to back only in all-over grid. All four layers are tacked together invisibly about every 12".

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting; Other

What type of thread was used for the quilting?

cotton

What color was the quilting thread?

cream

Knots visible?

no

Describe the borders:

None.

Binding and edge treatment:

Straight grain

Describe the binding:

floral brocade

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Silk

Fabric structure of the binding:

Other

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

greater than one 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:

Silk

Description of the back:

Small floral stripe, dress pirnt from 1860s?

Backing; fabric:

Same fabric used throughout; Print

Backing; width of pieces (in inches):

24

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:

Irwin, Sarah

The quilt was made to be used for:

Decorative throw