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Basket of Flowers

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quilt

QUILT INDEX RECORD

38-36-3810

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Arizona Quilt Documentation Project

Who documented this quilt?

Arizona Quilt Documentation Project; Sinema Family Quilt Collection

Arizona Quilt Documentation Project Number:

LSQ160005

When was the documentation day held? Or when was the form collected?

10-12-2016

Where was the documentation day held?

Phoenix, Arizona

1. Type of quilt object

Finished quilt

2. Designer's title:

Basket of Flowers

3. Quilt Width:

70 inches

3. Quilt Length:

70 inches

4. Shape of edge:

Scalloped

5. Shape of Corners:

Rounded

6. Overall color scheme:

Dark colors

7. Predominant Color(s):

Red; White

9. Overall condition:

Excellent/like new

13. Inscription:

Date; Message; Multiple Names

13.2. Date of inscription:

1996

13.3. Method of inscription:

Computer generated

13.4. Location of inscription:

on back

Other location of inscription:

Lower Left

14. Date of Quilt:

1976-1999

Family/owner's date for quilt:

1996

15. Source of Fabric:

Other

Describe the sources of the quilt's materials:

Local Quilt Store

16. Subject of the quilt:

Basket of Flowers

17. Layout format:

Block pattern

Describe the source of the pattern:

Laurene Sinema Designs

18.2. Number of quilt blocks:

9

Size of quilt blocks:

13 x 13 inches

18.4. Block style (shape):

Squares

Describe other spacing style:

Cornerstones surrounds all sides of blocks measuring 3 x 3 inches

18.7. Number of different block patterns present:

9

20. Sashing width:

3 inches

22. Borders:

1

22.2. Border descriptions:

One border measuring 10 inches on all sides that is appliqued.

23. Fiber used in quilt tops:

Cotton

24. Fabric patterns, styles, motifs, or print categories used in quilt top:

Print

25.1 Piecing techniques:

Machine Piecing

25.2 Applique techniques:

Hand Applique

26.1. Embellishment techniques:

Embroidery

26.2 Embellishment materials used in top:

Cotton thread

27.1. Materials used in binding:

Cotton

27.2. Fabric structure used in binding:

Plain weave

27.3. Construction techniques used in binding:

Separate binding applied; Straight grain; Home cut; Hand sewn; Machine sewn

28.1. Material used for quilt batting or filling:

Cotton

28.2. Batting loft:

Thin (Less than 3/16?)

29.2. Quilted by:

Jarvis, Una

29.3. Quilting technique used:

Hand quilting

29.3.1. Thread type:

Cotton

29.3.1. Thread color:

Ecru

29.3.2. Number of quilting stitches per inch (Place 1):

8 stiches per inch

29.3.2. Number of quilting stitches per inch (Place 2):

9 stitches per inch

Distance between quilting lines:

1 inch

29.4.1. Motif/overall quilting patterns:

All-over-design; Grid/crosshatch; Outline

31.1. Fabric fiber types used in quilt back:

Cotton

31.2. Color of backing:

White

31.4. Description of back:

Machine sewn; Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

1. Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Name of Quilt Owner:

Sinema Family Quilt Collection

Quilt Owner's State:

Arizona (AZ)

Quilt Owner's Country:

United States

2. Other related items such as publications, image, oral history, or ephemera:

As a little girl, Laurene learned to quilt sitting beside her Grandma Nielsen. Because of a poverty-poor childhood she was unable to utilize this skill until age 26 when she was called to be president of the women's organization in her church. It was like a rocket launch! From that moment on every lady learned to quilt whether they liked it or not.
 
Our family life and household revolved around church and quilting. There was quilting and craft stuff everywhere. In her late 40s, Laurene and her good friend, Janet, started The Quilted Apple. Throughout the next 25 years she built The Quilted Apple into one of the most renown quilt stores in the U.S. - and around the world. People came from everywhere to shop at her store. She traveled all over the nation teaching, lecturing and promoting quilting and appliqué. Our family life and household then revolved around The Quilted Apple. 
 
We had four talented daughters but none ever gained any great interest in quilting or the operation of the store.  One granddaughter sat her Grandma's side and became an expert and prolific quilter. With unbelievable determination and courage, Laurene rose from poverty to become a successful wife, mother, grandmother, civic and church leader and business woman. Every single person Laurene came in contact with became an instant friend. She loved and respected all and in return was beloved by all.
Gerry Sinema

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

Arizona Quilt Documentation Project

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Two events in 1978 marked the beginning of the quilting revival in Arizona. In that same year, Laurene Sinema (1929-2003) helped establish the Arizona Quilter's Guild and founded, with partner Janet Carruth, the first quilt shop in Phoenix, The Quilted Apple. The Quilted Apple, which would play a significant role in Arizona quiltmaking, opened its doors with only 12 bolts of fabric on the shelves! Over the next 25 years, thousands of individuals passed across its threshold and learned to love quilts and quiltmaking. Laurene's eye for quality, her excellent workmanship skills and her communication abilities made her an exceptional teacher. Her own work was beautiful, inspiring and of the highest quality and she expected no less from her staff and students. Students surprised themselves with their accomplishments. To keep her shop unique, Laurene designed imaginative quilt-oriented projects for classes that she taught and she inspired many staff members and students to do the same. Laurene's passion for quilting extended far beyond the door of The Quilted Apple. She spearheaded the organization of The Arizona Quilt Project and served as president during the 6 years that the group researched and documented quilts and their makers in Arizona. For 8 years, she contributed her wisdom and good ideas as a member of the International Quilt Council, an advisory group to Karey Bresenhan, the founder of International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival. She was a sought-after speaker and quilt show judge, and taught classes across the country and internationally. Always aware of new trends in the marketplace, Laurene influenced them as well. She authored 8 books and numerous magazine articles. The popularity of her designs for classes in her shop encouraged her to start a pattern company called Laurene Sinema Designs which eventually published over 60 quilting and appliqué patterns. She also designed three lines of reproduction fabric for South Sea Imports. An extraordinary people-lover, Laurene had the gift of making each person she met feel valued. People were naturally drawn to her and she always seemed to have "time." Often, a customer stopped by the shop and poured out her heart to Laurene after receiving devastating medical news, suffering from a death in the family, or experiencing the shock of divorce. Laurene Sinema's outlook on life and its challenges was always positive, and her unlimited enthusiasm and drive were restricted only by the number of hours in a day. Laurene's vibrant personality inspired those involved in the quilting world--in Arizona and beyond--to evolve to new heights, and in the process she brought joy and beauty into countless lives.

Essay:

BASKET OF FLOWERS Laurene Sinema Designs, 1996 hand appliquéd by Linda Aiken hand quilted by Una Jarvis cotton fabrics Collection of Sinema Family Laurene designed this pattern and taught it in a class at The Quilted Apple. She described it as "nine baskets filled with lovely flowers and a border tied together with ribbons and bows, all inspired by 1930s design and fabrics."

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

One of Laurene Sinema's students dubbed her the "Quarter Block Queen" because, to save time when learning the techniques for an appliqué design, she would execute only one fourth of the pattern for a class sample. In the process of trying out the pattern she learned tricks to share with her students to make it easier for them to produce beautiful appliqué. Laurene was a perfectionist when it came to handwork and quilting. She stressed that in her classes. My mother was also a perfectionist and loved taking classes from Laurene. I worked at The Quilted Apple full time for several years and taught part-time for over 10 years. I was always so proud to be associated with the shop. Laurene and Janet provided such a wonderful, warm and inspiring atmosphere where you always felt welcome. Nancy Jean Derivan Eshelman Schneider

Details

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Cite this Quilt

Jarvis, Un. Basket of Flowers. 1976-1999. From Arizona Quilt Documentation Project, Arizona Quilt Documentation Project; Sinema Family Quilt Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=38-36-3810. Accessed: 03/29/24