QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-64

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

91.0008

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

7097.1

Object label:

Crazy Quilt
Lena Lardner
Niles, Berrien County, Michigan
1889
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#7097.1

Essay:

This quilt is thought to have been made by Ring Lardner's mother who was a published poet. It was acquired by the donor from the family estate sale of Lardner's brother.

Each block is separated by hand-made, needle-woven lace sashing and features silk embroidery, drawing or figures. The center block with the American flag has written on it,
From patriot sire to patriot son
Our flag is handed down
Thro' battles fought and victories won
It holds its own renown
And second only to the cross
Let this bright emblem be!
Thro' earthly gain and earthly loss
Our sign of Liberty! Mother July 31st 1889

Owner's name for the quilt:

Crazy Quilt

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

Contained Crazy

Quilt top made by:

Lardner, Lena

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

Received as a gift

Where the quilt was made, city:

Niles

Where the quilt was made, county:

Berrien

Where the quilt was made, state:

Michigan (MI)

Time period:

1876-1900

When was the quilt finished?

1889

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's city:

Niles

Quiltmaker's county:

Berrien

Quiltmaker's state:

Michigan (MI)

Number of children:

3

How many of the quiltmaker's children were girls?

1

How many of the quiltmaker's children were boys?

2

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

81"

How long is the quilt?

81"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor

Quilt's condition:

Very good/almost new

Damage:

Disintegration of fabric

What is inscribed on the quilt?

From patriot sire to patriot son, Our flag is handed down, Thro' battles fought and victories won, It holds its old renown, And second only to the cross, Let this bright emblem be!, Thro' earthly gain and earthly loss, Our sign of Liberty! Mother July 31, 1889

What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

July 31,1889

Method used to make the inscription:

Ink

Describe where the inscription was found:

top

Describe the quilt's layout:

Crazy

Number of quilt blocks:

16

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Separated by plain sashing

Describe the quilt setting:

Handmade lace

Sashing width:

5 3/4

Number of borders:

1

Describe the borders:

7 3/4", hand made lace

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Silk

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Velvet

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Sashed and bordered in hand made string lace.

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

Ink drawing/Painting

Embellishments used:

Other attachments

Describe embellishment materials or techniques:

Lace

Materials used to make the back:

Silk

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

Clippings or photocopies

Source of the information on this quilt:

Museum employee

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public- Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

How was this quilt acquired?

Gift

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

7-8-1990, Sally Peterson, Acquired from estate sale of Ring Lardner's brother

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?

Made entire quilt

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

Patriotic poetry, flags and emblems.

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

Michigan State University Museum