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Whig Rose; Whig Rose

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QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-7601

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

99.0274

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

1998:53.113

Object label:

Whig Rose
Maker unknown
Massachusetts
1800-1840
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#1998:53.113

Essay:

Interpretative Commentary:
"Whig Rose" is a common appliqué pattern. The Whigs, an American political party formed in 1834, is believed to be the source of the name of this very common appliqué pattern. Although by 1856 the party had been succeeded by the Republican Party, the "Whig Rose" pattern remained popular throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. Mary Schafer had a strong interest in American history and the political implications of the pattern's name surely appealed to her; her collection contains three examples.

Mary had a strong interest in pursuing the history of each quilt she collected. When she purchased a quilt from an antique dealer, she inquired about provenance and often researched any tips she was given about the piece. Mary's notes on this indicated that it was made in Greenfield, Massachusetts and that a bride then took it to the Philippine Islands. -- Mary Worrall

Additional Commentary:
The quilt was included in the exhibit American Quilts from Michigan State University Museum, which toured in Japan from January-December 2003 and is illustrated on pg. 108 in the exhibit’s catalogue, American Quilts from Michigan State University Museum. -– Beth Donaldson

Quilt's title:

Whig Rose

Owner's name for the quilt:

Whig Rose

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

Purchased the quilt

Where the quilt was made, city:

Greenfield

Where the quilt was made, state:

Massachusetts (MA)

Time period:

1800-1849

When was the quilt finished?

c. 1834

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

100

How long is the quilt?

101

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Green; Pink; Red; Yellow; White

Overall color scheme:

Two color

Quilt's condition:

Good/moderate use

Damage:

Discoloration or dyes ran; Fold marks or creases

Notes on condition, damage, or repairs:

Red appliques show dye crocking common in Turkey red solids. Green appliques show color change (2 part green, yellow more stable than blue).

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Number of quilt blocks:

9

Size of quilt blocks:

24 x 24

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Side by side

Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:

1

Number of borders:

2

Describe the borders:

Inner border is appliqued with vine and buds on white background.

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Solid/plain

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Can you feel or see paper on the quilt that was used as a construction aid?

no

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:

3

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout

How is the binding made?

Edges turned in/ no separate binding

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

9

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:

8

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Outline

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Floral; Vines

Describe the quilting designs used:

Grapes and vines on outer border. Appliques outlined and details added. Flowers and/or leaves in block grounds.

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

This quilt, was made for a four poster bed, was taken to the Phillippine Islands by a bride. The border is quilted with grapes, grape leaves and roses. Finely quilted original designs of flowers and leaves appear in the body of the quilt. The quilt was acquired in Greenfield, MA.

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt owner

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

Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

This quit is part of the Mary Schafer Collection and Mary's notes state this quilt was made for a four poster bed and was taken to the Phillipine Islands by a bride.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Who photographed this quilt?

KEVA

Copyright holder:

MSU Board of Trustees

Cite this Quilt

Whig Rose. c. 1834. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-7601. Accessed: 03/29/24

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