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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Exhibit
Mary Schafer: A Legacy of Quilt Histor...
Worrall, Mary
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Collection
Mary Schafer Quilt and Ephemera Collec...
Worrall, Mary
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Collection
Quilt Treasures
Worrall, Mary
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Schafer, Mary Quiltmaker
Michigan Quilt Project