QUILT INDEX RECORD

26-22-251

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

West Virginia Department of Archives and History

Who documented this quilt?

West Virginia Quilt Documentation Project

The West Virginia Heritage Quilt Search Number:

80112

Person filling out this form is:

Daughter of quiltmaker

Source of the information on this quilt:

Source is sister of quilt owner

When was the form filled out?

10-15-2016

Choose the best description of the source to the quilt:

Other

Interviewer:

V. Phillips

Where was the quilt documentation day held?

Canaan Valley State Park, Davis, WV

This is a:

Finished quilt

Owner's name for quilt:

Red Rose design quilt

How wide is the quilt?

84.5"

How long is the quilt?

101"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Cream; Red

Overall color scheme:

Two color

Quilt's condition:

Good/moderate use

Damage:

Fading; Open seams; Stains; Other

Describe the damage:

pre-marked ink "x"s visible in one block, unstitched

Type of inscription:

Single

Describe the type of inscription:

Name

What is inscribed on the quilt?

Jane

Method used to make the inscription:

Embroidery

Location of inscription:

on block

Describe where the inscription was found:

Top row block, second from left, bottom right corner

Time period:

1950-1975

When was the quilt started?

early 1970's

When was the quilt finished?

1973

Family/owner's date for quilt:

1973

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Subject of the quilt:

Embroidered roses and leaves, cross-stitched

Number of quilt blocks:

20

Size of quilt blocks:

16.5 x 16.5"

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Separated by plain sashing

Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:

one

What is the shape of the quilt blocks?

Squares

Sashing width:

3"

Number of borders:

one

Describe the borders:

Same fabric as sashing, 4" wide

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Muslin

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Solid/plain

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:

Embroidery

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

no

Embellishments used:

Cotton thread

Describe embellishment materials or techniques:

Cotton embroidery floss cross-stitch in gold, brown, green, red.

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

What color is the back of the quilt?

White

Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:

one

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

Fabric structure of the binding:

Plain weave

How is the binding made?

Hand sewn; Machine sewn

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

half inch - one inch

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Polyester

How thick is the quilt?

Thin (Less than 3/16?)

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Thread type used for the quilting:

cotton

Color of thread used in the quilting:

white

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

8

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:

9

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Cables

Describe the quilting designs used:

Preprinted sunburst design in blocks with loops and scallops, single cable in sashing, double cable in border.

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

Matching pillow 16.5" x 16.5", single quilt block, 2" wide ruffled edge of red print fabric same as quilt, red print envelope back.

Quilt top made by:

Watring, Mary Elizabeth Knotts

Quilted by:

Watring, Mary Elizabeth Knotts

Where the quilt was made, city:

Parsons

Where the quilt was made, county:

Tucker

Where the quilt was made, state:

West Virginia (WV)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Gift

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

Received in 1973, the year the current owner's son was born.

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

The quilt and matching pillow were purchased as a kit. Daughter of the quilt maker stitched the second block from left in the top row and added her name "Jane" in stitching in the block.

Why was the quilt made?

Personal enjoyment

The quilt was made to be used for:

Bedding, daily use

Quilt is presently used as:

Keepsake/memento

Where did the maker get their materials?

Purchased new

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Commercial/Published source: Kit

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

Kit; Other

Describe where the quilting design pattern was found:

Preprinted quilting design in blocks - unknown source of design for sashing, borders.

Publications (including web sites) where this quilt or maker was featured:

Document provided by family.

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

Typed document submitted by family includes family and maker history.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Knotts, Mary Elizabeth

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

01-20-1928

Quiltmaker's birthplace, city:

Thomas

Quiltmaker's birthplace, state:

West Virginia

Quiltmaker's birthplace, country:

United States

Quiltmaker's marriage date(s):

Watring, Berdean O.

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

White

Quiltmaker's educational background:

Eighth grade, later received G.E.D.

Quiltmaker's religious affiliation:

Methodist

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Homemaker, worked at other homes

In which kind of environment did the quiltmaker live?

Rural

Quiltmaker's father's name:

Knotts, Arthur

Quiltmaker's father's birthplace:

Sugarlands, Tucker County, WV

Quiltmaker's father's ethnic/tribal background:

White

Quiltmaker's mother's name:

Helmick, Martha

Quiltmaker's mother's birthplace:

Sugarlands, Tucker County, WV

Quiltmaker's mother's ethnic/tribal background:

White

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

Watring, Berdean O.

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

Railroad worker for Western Mayland Railroad

Number of children:

3

How many of the quiltmaker's children were girls?

3

How did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

From Relative

When did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

Under 10 years of age

Why does the quiltmaker quilt?

Fundraising; Gifts; Necessity; Pleasure

Estimated number of quilts made by this quiltmaker:

more than 50

Does/did the quiltmaker sell quilts?

yes

Does/did the quiltmaker teach quilting?

only informally

Describe any favorite patterns, tools, etc. used by the quiltmaker:

Quilt maker loved colorful fabrics and working with them to make gifts for family and friends. She loved to piece quilts and hand quilted them.

Describe any unique traditions, quilting related customs, beliefs, songs or rhymes used by the quiltmaker:

Quilt maker was the eldest of four siblings and was taught by her mother, Martha, to mend and sew for the family. She used a treadle sewing machine growing up on a farm and later in her own home she had a New Home floor model machine with a knee pedal. This machine is still in use. She loved doing handwork once all the family was home for the evening. She set up her quilting frames in her living room for the winter to be able to quilt with the family around her and not miss out on the conversations concerning the day's events.

Any other notes or stories about the quiltmaker:

See document provided by family.

Who photographed this quilt?

FK

Access and copyright information:

Open/Public Domain

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