QUILT INDEX RECORD
16-12-293
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
DAR Museum
Who documented this quilt?
DAR Museum, Permanent Collection
DAR Number:
57.30
This is a:
Finished quilt
Quilt's title:
Star of Bethleham and Eight Point Design
Brackman # or other source & #:
1631c, 4005
How wide is the quilt?
83 inches
How long is the quilt?
102 inches
Shape of edge:
Straight
What color is the quilt?
White; Brown
Overall color scheme:
Two color
Quilt's condition:
Poor/very worn
Damage:
Discoloration or dyes ran
Notes on condition, damage, or repairs:
The brown dye in the roller print is unstable.
Time period:
1800-1849
When was the quilt finished?
1840-1850
Describe the quilt's layout:
Medallion or framed center
Number of quilt blocks:
32 pieced, 32 plain
Size of quilt blocks:
10 x 10
Arrangement of quilt blocks:
Straight
Spacing of quilt blocks:
Alternating with plain squares
Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:
2
What is the shape of the quilt blocks?
Squares
Medallion size:
39 x 42
Number of borders:
1
Describe the borders:
Saw tooth border around center star
Fiber types used to make the quilt top:
Cotton
Fabric styles used in the quilt top:
Print; Solid/plain
Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Piecing
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:
3
Width of pieces on the back:
19 1/2, 33, 31 1/2
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)?
half inch - one inch
What kind of filling is used in the quilt?
Cotton
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:
10
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:
9
Quilting designs used, overall motifs:
Single parallel lines
Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:
Floral; Feathering; Wreaths
Quilting designs used, background fills:
Parallel lines
Describe the quilting designs used:
Chevron
Name of the group that made the quilt:
THOMAS MIFFLIN FAMILY
Where the quilt was made, state:
Pennsylvania (PA)
Where the quilt was made, country:
USA
Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:
The quilt was made by a member of Thomas Mifflin's family. Mifflin was the first Governor of Pennsylvania (1790-1799), an aide to George Washington and a signer of the Constitution. According to donor information, his daughter Emily was one of thirteen girls representing the thirteen colonies scattering roses in the Inaugural Parade for George Washington. She later married Joseph Hopkinson who wrote the words to the song "Hail Columbia".
Why was the quilt made?
Unknown
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
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
Copyright holder:
DAR Museum
Cite this Quilt
THOMAS MIFFLIN FAMILY. Star of Bethleham and Eight Point Design. 1840-1850. From DAR Museum, DAR Museum, Permanent Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=16-12-293. Accessed: 04/24/24