QUILT INDEX RECORD

14-10-237

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Who documented this quilt?

Lands' End All-American Quilt Collection

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress Documentation Number:

AFC 1997/011: Folder 9070 P1

Alternate inventory number for this quilt. This might be a museum accession number.

afcqltle le173

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

Describe the relationship to the quilt's maker:

Quiltmaker submitted information with quilt.

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Harry's Grapefruit

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

Trip Around the World

How wide is the quilt?

53 inches

How long is the quilt?

53 inches

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

1976-1999

When was the quilt started?

Fall, 1994

When was the quilt finished?

Summer, 1995

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Polyester

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

The following information was supplied by the quiltmaker: Where did you learn the pattern? "in classes at Seminole Sampler, Catonsville, MD; my 1st quilting teacher, Connie Pomering, was excellent and supportive of bright colors -- which became my style." How did you choose the materials used in your quilt? "The main, or theme, fabric just 'BECKONED' to me from a fabric store in South Florida where we had just bought a condo. We were emotionally healing from the loss of my in-laws in an accident and the fabric said 'Use me to remember Harry!' The other fabrics I collected as I saw them at fabric stores over the year -- I carry little swatches on a 3 x 5 card in my purse. One night I just saw I finally had the color 'run' I wanted and I had learned a pattern that would work well. I had a great teacher. I had years of wonderful memories to put in this quilt -- all about family times in Florida. (I am assuming you have a copy of the essay I wrote.)" "To honor my father-in-law's memory." How long have you been making quilts? How did you learn to quilt? "Since November, 1993. I learned to sew as a young girl in Indiana in 1950s. After retirement I had a major void to fill. I felt drawn to quilts -- so took classes, first at local stores, then around the U.S." What was your primary reason for entering the Lands' End contest? Do you frequently enter your quilts in competition? "Frankly, the contest theme 'If Quilts Could Talk' fit perfectly for the quilt I had just finished. The fabric, the vibrancy, was about my father-in-law. I don't enter contests unless there is some special synergy." Has being a winner in the Land's End contest made a difference in your life? Has it changed the way you look at your work as a quilt maker? "Yes, being a winner -- in the very 1st contest I entered -- has made a difference. I see my skill with color differently. In a field new to me, I feel more confident. I suppose. After the SURPRISE, I felt validated. Others had told me I had talent -- but this did help. I also received a lot of local publicity which changed how I'm seen."

Quilt top made by:

McCoy, Susanne

Where the quilt was made, state:

Washington D.C.

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Why was the quilt made?

Challenge or Contest entry; Commemorative; Art or personal expression; Personal enjoyment; Other

Details about why the quilt was made:

religious/spiritual motivation

The quilt was made to be used for:

Artwork/wall hanging

Contests entered:

This quilt was part of the Lands' End All-American Quilt Contest. 1996 Washington, District of Columbia Winner

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/qlt:@FIELD(DOCID+@LIT(le173))

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Description of quilt:

This quilt is part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress "Quilts and Quiltmaking in American: 1978-1996 exhibit. It was winner in the Lands' End All-American Quilt Contest.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Email: folklife@loc.gov