QUILT INDEX RECORD

15-11-1025

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Wisconsin Quilt History Project

Who documented this quilt?

Wisconsin Quilt History Project

Wisconsin Quilt History Project Number:

192

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt owner; Other

Source of the information on this quilt:

Granddaughter of quilt maker

When was the form filled out?

04-08-1989

Choose the best description of the source to the quilt:

Quilt owner

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

Inherited

Interviewer:

Motl, Chris

Where was the quilt documentation day held?

Country Inn-Pewaukee/Waukesha County, Wisconsin

This is a:

Finished quilt

Owner's name for quilt:

Scherenschnitte Applique

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

German Paper Cutting Technique Applique

How wide is the quilt?

85 in.

How long is the quilt?

85 in.

What color is the quilt?

Blue or Navy

Overall color scheme:

Two color

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

1901-1929

Family/owner's date for quilt:

1920's

Further information concerning dates:

Mrs. Ehlhardt was in her 40's when the quilt was made.

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Side by side

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Broadcloth

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Dotted; Print; Solid/plain; Other

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

blue solid with blue pin dot applique

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton; Other

Description of the back:

Muslin

What color is the back of the quilt?

White

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

Fabric structure of the binding:

Plain weave

Describe the binding:

Blue pin dot, same fabric used for applique

How is the binding made?

Hand sewn; Home cut; Separate binding applied

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Other

Describe the quilting designs used:

A twisted loop design with petals is hand quilted where the blocks have been joined. Stitches are medium size and even.

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

Applique design is based on a German paper cutting techique called scherenschnitte. Interviewer rated hand work as very good.

Quilt top made by:

Ehlhardt, Amelia Ortloff

Quilted by:

Ehlhardt, Amelia Ortloff

Where the quilt was made, city:

Milwaukee

Where the quilt was made, county:

Milwaukee

Where the quilt was made, state:

Wisconsin (WI)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Inheritance

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

Quilt owner inherited the quilt from her grandmother.

Why was the quilt made?

Art or personal expression

Quilt is presently used as:

Keepsake/memento

Where did the maker get their materials?

Purchased new

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Original to maker

Where did the quiltmaker find the pattern for the quilting design on the quilt?

Original to maker

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Ortloff

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

1877

Quiltmaker's birthplace, city:

Milwaukee/Milwaukee County

Quiltmaker's birthplace, state:

Wisconsin

Quiltmaker's birthplace, country:

United States

Quiltmaker's religious affiliation:

Lutheran

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Milliner

In which kind of environment did the quiltmaker live?

Urban

Quiltmaker's county:

Milwaukee

Quiltmaker's city:

Whitefish Bay

Quiltmaker's state:

Wisconsin (WI)

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

Quiltmaker's father's name:

Ortloff

Quiltmaker's spouse's/spouses' and /or partner's/partners' name(s):

Ehlhardt, Louis

Quiltmaker's spouse's/spouses' and/or partner's/partners' occupation:

Mail Carrier

Number of children:

1

How many of the quiltmaker's children were girls?

1

Any other notes or stories about the quiltmaker:

Amelia Ehlhardt was a prolific seamstress and milliner. She would go to Chapman's department store, see the expensive clothes and then go home to make copies for her daughter. Another quilt is documented in the Quilt Index under her name at #193.

Copyright holder:

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts