QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-5272

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Cuesta Benberry Collection

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

08.0090

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2008:119.30

Object label:

African American Quilt Top
Dolores A. Hinson
Austin, Texas
1990
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#2008:119.30

Essay:

Dolores Hinson was a quiltmaker, quilt collector, pattern collector, lecturer and quilt book author from the early 1970s-80s. Some of her titles include; Quilting Manual, Quilter's Companion, Sunbonnet Family of Quilt Patterns, A Second Quilter's Companion, American Graphic Quilt Designs, Quilts for Babies & Children, and Quilting Manual; New: Designer's Boutique. Dolores refered to Cuesta as "the Godmother of American Quilters."

Cuesta Benberry wrote:
Dolores has reproduced figures of black people that have appeared mostly on various quilts and made 12 diferent blocks. Each block is set in a pieced frame of either red or green calico which also forms the sashing. At the corners where the sashing meets, she has placed small red, green and white calico Nine Patches. The appliqued designs are placed on a white background, and are recognizable as being designs from Baltimore album quilts, and other album quilts, with one or two more modern designs. All of the work is hand done. I have known Dolores Hinson since the 1960s, even before her book was published. At the time her son, Trey, was about 7 years old, and my son, George was about 10 years old. Dolores lived in the Baltimore area, and as she and her mother traveled in search of quilt information, they would always think of me, and bring back some unusual memento of their trip as a gift to me, such as quilt dolls, etc. We have remained friends these many years, and are now both grandmothers, children of our sons.

Quilt's title:

African American Quilt

When was the form filled out?

4/22/08

Quilt top made by:

Hinson, Dolores

If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?

Received as a gift

Where the quilt was made, city:

Austin

Where the quilt was made, state:

Texas (TX)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Time period:

1976-1999

When was the quilt started?

1966

When was the quilt finished?

1990

Why was the quilt made?

Gift or presentation

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's city:

Austin

Quiltmaker's state:

Texas (TX)

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

This is a:

Quilt top with unfinished edge

How wide is the quilt?

27 1/2"

How long is the quilt?

35 1/2"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Blue; Green; Red; White

Quilt's condition:

Very good/almost new

Type of inscription:

Message

What is inscribed on the quilt?

for friend Cuesta Benberry D'Ann '90 D.A. Hinson

What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

1966-1990

Method used to make the inscription:

Embroidery

Location of inscription:

on border

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Number of quilt blocks:

12

Size of quilt blocks:

6" x 6"

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Separated by sashing with cornerstones or connecting blocks; Separated by pieced pattern sashing

Sashing width:

2 1/4"

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Print; Solid/plain

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:

From Cuesta: Dolores has reproduced figures of black people that have appeared mostly on various quilts and made 12 diferent blocks. Each block is set in a pieced frame of either red or green calico which also forms the sashing. At the corners where the sashing meets, she has placed small red, green and white calico Nine Patches. The appliqued designs are placed on a white background, and are recognizable as being designs from Baltimore album quilts, and other album quilts, with one or two more modern designs. All of the work is hand done. I have known Dolores Hinson since the 1960s, even before her book was published. At the time her son, Trey, was about 7 years old, and my son, George was about 10 years old. Dolores lived in the Baltimore area, and as she and her mother traveled in search of quilt information, they would always think of me, and bring back some unusual memento of their trip as a gift to me, such as quilt dolls, etc. We have remained friends these many years, and are now both grandmothers, children of our sons.

Source of the information on this quilt:

MSU Museum employee

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public- Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Purchase

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

This quilt was collected by Cuesta Benberry to further her research on quiltmaking and/or African American quiltmaking. Her son donated the collection to the Michigan State University Museum when she passed away in 2007.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

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

Made entire quilt top

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

MSU Board of Trustees