
Cite this Quilt
Clarke, Laura Ma. Rose Wreath. 1937. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-1092. Accessed: 02/28/21
QUILT INDEX RECORD
12-8-1092
Object label
Rose Wreath
Bozena Vilhelmina Clarke
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
1935-1937
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#6119.35
Essay about this quilt.
This quilt was from an Anne Orr pattern called "Early American Wreath". It won an Honorable Mention Ribbon at the Detroit News Quilt Show in May of 1937. Bozena gave the quilt to her daughter Laura May.
Laura got the pattern from a Good Housekeeping Magazine from the 1930s. The magazine article offered information for purchasing the pattern via mail order. The price of the pattern was 25cents. The pattern was sent for and on the top of the page, Laura May noted when her mother made this quilt and that she entered it in the Detroit News Quilt Show.
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
85.2141
If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number here
6119.35
What is the title of the quilt?
Rose Wreath
What is the name of the quilt given by the owner?
Rose Wreath
What is the pattern name that it is commonly used among quilt makers and historians for this quilt?
Rose Wreath
Who made the quilt top?
Clarke, Laura May
Who did the quilting?
Clarke, Bozena Vilhelmina
If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?
Received as a gift
Where was the quilt made (city)?
Detroit
Where was the quilt made (county)?
Wayne
Where was the quilt made (state)?
Michigan (MI)
Choose the time frame that best describes when the quilt was made.
1930-1949
When was the quilt started?
1935-36
When was the quilt finished?
1937
How is this quilt used?
Museum collection
Choose the gender of the quilt maker(s).
Female
Where does/did the quilt maker live (city)?
Detroit
Where does/did the quilt maker live (county)?
Wayne
Where does/did the quilt maker live (state)?
Michigan (MI)
What is the quilt maker's maiden name?
Clarke
What is the quilt maker's birthdate?
7/22/1900
What environment did the quilt maker(s) live in?
Urban
If applicable, when did the quilt maker die?
3/7/1978
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker?
English, Bohemian (Czech)
What is/was the last level of education completed by the quilt maker?
B.A. in Education from Wayne State University
What is/was the quilt maker's religious affiliation?
Congregational
What is/was the occupation of the quilt maker?
Kindergarten teacher. Was president one year of the NEA Kindergarten Division, Teacher of the Month, June 1962.
What is the quilt maker's father's name?
Clarke, William George
Where was the quilt maker's father born?
Verona Hills, Michigan
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's father?
English
What is the quilt maker's mother's name?
Clarke, Bozena Vilhelmina Motl
Where was the quilt maker's mother born?
Detroit, Michigan
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's mother?
Bohemian (Czech)
How did the quilt maker learn to quilt?
From Relative
When did the quilt maker begin making quilts?
Age 20-29
Why does/did the quilt maker make quilts?
Pleasure
How many quilt has the quilt maker made?
5-20 quilts
Has the quilt maker ever sold quilts?
no
Has the quilt maker ever taught quilt making?
no
What type of quilted object is this?
Finished quilt
How wide is the quilt?
87 1/4
How long is the quilt?
92 5/8
What is the shape of the quilt edge?
Straight
What is the shape of the corners?
Rounded
What color(s) is the quilt?
Green, Pink, White
Choose the best color scheme description for the quilt.
Multicolor
What is the best description of the quilt's condition?
Excellent/like new
If the quilt has an inscription, what type(s) of inscriptions are on the quilt?
Date, Message
Enter the exact inscription here, including dates in the same form in which they appear on the quilt. Do not correct any spellings.
Bozena V. Clarke Detroit 1666 W. Grand Blvd. Rose Wreath an Ann Orr pattern. There are 3028 pieces besides border-pieced in 1935-1936 and quilted in 1936-1937 by Bozena V. Clarke Won honorable mention ribbon May 1937 at the Detroit News Quilt Show
What is the date found on the quilt?
1935-37
How was the inscription made?
Attached label, Embroidery
If you chose Other, please describe the method used to inscribe the quilt.
cross stitich
Where is the inscription found on the quilt?
on back
What is the layout (or set) of the quilt?
Block pattern
How many blocks are in the quilt?
12, 3028
How are the blocks arranged in the quilt?
Straight
How are the blocks spaced in the quilt?
Separated by sashing with cornerstones or connecting blocks
What is the width of the sashing?
2 3/8
Enter the number of different block patterns used in the quilt.
1
How many borders are on the quilt?
4
Describe the style of the borders.
The first three borders are each 1". The outer border is 2 1/8".
What types of fiber were used to make the quilt top?
Cotton
What types of prints were used to make the quilt top?
Solid/plain
What piecing method was used to make the quilt top?
Hand Piecing
Can you feel or see paper on the quilt that was used as a construction aid?
no
What fibers were used to make the quilt back?
Cotton
How many pieces of fabric were used to make the quilt back?
3
How do you describe the quilt back?
Same fabric used throughout
What fiber type was used to make the quilt binding?
Cotton
What construction technique was used to finish the edge of the quilt?
Bias grain
What is the width of the binding (front side only)?
less than a half inch
What is the actual width of the binding (front side only)?
1/4
What is the fiber content of the quilt filling?
Cotton
Choose the thickness of the quilt filling that best describes the quilt.
Thin (Less than 3/16?)
How are the quilt layers held together?
Hand quilting
How many quilting stitches are there per inch? Count only the stitches on the top.
6
Choose another spot on the quilt. How many quilting stitches are there per inch? Count only the stitches on the top.
6
Describe the overall quilt design.
Grid/crosshatch, Single parallel lines
How did the quilt maker acquire the fabric for this quilt?
Purchased new
What is the source of the quilt's pattern?
Commercial/Published source: Pattern
Enter the commercial name of the top's pattern if you know it.
Ann Orr design
List other materials that exisit about the quilt. This may include oral history, diaries, photos of the maker, templates, etc.
Image of quiltmakers, oral history told by niece Harriet Clarke, and story in Michigan Quilts: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition.
List publications where this quilt or maker was featured.
Image of quiltmakers, oral history told by niece Harriet Clarke, and story in Michigan Quilts: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition.
Who documented this quilt?
Quilt owner
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)
Quilt owner's country:
United States
How did the owner acquire this quilt?
Gift
Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained.
The quilt was inherited by the quiltmaker's niece, Harriet Clarke and donated to the MSU Museum in 1985.
Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field.
Laura enjoyed piecing and appliquing and her mother quilted most of her tops.
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
The quilt was made to be used for:
Bedding, special occasion
Describe any favorite patterns, tools, etc. used by the quilt maker.
Laura enjoyed piecing and applique and her mother did most of her quilting.
Describe any unique traditions, quilting related customs, beliefs, songs or rhymes used by the quilt maker.
Laura and her mother read the Detroit News Quilt Columns and clipped patterns and traded with friends.
Who photographed this quilt?
Eifert
Who is the copyright holder?
MSU Board of Trustees
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Ephemera
Handmade Household Inventory Booklet
Clarke, Laura May
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Collection
Clarke Family Quilt Collection
Michigan State University Museum
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Clarke, Laura May Quiltmaker