QUILT INDEX RECORD
16-12-247
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
DAR Museum
Who documented this quilt?
DAR Museum; Permanent Collection
DAR Number:
2003.8
This is a:
Finished quilt
Quilt's title:
Birds of a feather
Names for quilt's pattern in common use:
The Blackbirds Quilt
How wide is the quilt?
64 inches
How long is the quilt?
80 inches
Shape of edge:
Straight
What color is the quilt?
Red; Black; White
Overall color scheme:
Multicolor
Quilt's condition:
Good/moderate use
Time period:
1930-1949
When was the quilt finished?
c. 1940
Describe the quilt's layout:
Nontraditional or art
Number of quilt blocks:
9
Size of quilt blocks:
varies
Arrangement of quilt blocks:
Straight
Spacing of quilt blocks:
Separated by plain sashing
What is the shape of the quilt blocks?
Squares
Sashing width:
varies
Number of borders:
1
Describe the borders:
Solid red 3 1/2 inches wide
Fiber types used to make the quilt top:
Cotton
Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Piecing
Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:
Embroidery
Materials used to make the back:
Cotton
What color is the back of the quilt?
Cream
Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:
2
Width of pieces on the back:
30, 31
Describe the back:
Same fabric used throughout
Materials used in the quilt binding:
Cotton
Fabric structure of the binding:
Plain weave
How is the binding made?
Straight grain
What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?
greater than one inch
What kind of filling is used in the quilt?
Cotton
How thick is the quilt?
Thick (More than 3/16?)
Thread type used for the quilting:
cotton
Color of thread used in the quilting:
white
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:
4
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:
5
Quilting designs used, overall motifs:
Elbow/fan
Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:
All pieces cut in irregular shapes.
Quilted by:
Parker, Blanche Ransom
Where the quilt was made, city:
Huntington
Where the quilt was made, county:
Carrol
Where the quilt was made, state:
Tennessee (TN)
Where the quilt was made, country:
USA
Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:
Previously part of Esprit Collection. Blanche Ransome Parker was a Jeanes Supervisor of Black Schools, Huntington, Carrol County, Tennessee. Image of quilt published in 1990 Quilt Engagement calendar.
Why was the quilt made?
Unknown
Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:
American Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA, 1997.
Ownership of this quilt is:
Public-Other
Quilt owner's name:
DAR Museum
Quilt owner's city:
Washington, DC
Quilt owner's state:
Washington D.C.
Quilt owner's country:
USA
Quiltmaker's gender:
Female
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
Copyright holder:
DAR Museum
Cite this Quilt
Parker, Blanche Ranso. Birds of a feather. c. 1940. From DAR Museum, DAR Museum; Permanent Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=16-12-247. Accessed: 03/19/24