QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-470

Object label

Washington Plume
Mary Schafer
Flushing, Genesee County, Michigan
1968
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#1998:53.110

Essay about this quilt.

This is a new reproduction of a quilt presented to the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association in 1886 which is still housed there. It is an example of an 18th century Medallion quilt with a center plume accompanied by a series of borders.

By Gwen Marston from The Mary Schafer Quilt Collection exhibit catalog.

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

99.0271

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

1998:53.110

What is the name of the quilt given by the owner?

Washington Plume

What is the pattern name that it is commonly used among quilt makers and historians for this quilt?

Princess Feather variation

Who made the quilt top?

Schafer, Mary

Who did the quilting?

Schafer, Mary

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

Purchased the quilt

WHERE WAS THE QUILT MADE: City:

Flushing

County:

Genesee

State:

Michigan (MI)

Choose the time frame that best describes when the quilt was made.

1950-1975

When was the quilt finished?

1968

How is this quilt used?

Museum collection

Choose the gender of the quilt maker(s).

Female

Where does/did the quilt maker live (city)?

Flushing

Where does/did the quilt maker live (county)?

Genessee

Where does/did the quilt maker live (state)?

Michigan (MI)

What is the quilt maker's maiden name?

Vida

What is the quilt maker's birthdate?

4-27-1910

What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker?

Born Austria-Hungary 1910; emigrated to USA 1914

What is/was the last level of education completed by the quilt maker?

9th grade

What is/was the occupation of the quilt maker?

Creamery worker; switchboard operator; book keeper; housewife

What is the quilt maker's father's name?

Vida, Josef

What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's father?

Austrian

What is the quilt maker's mother's name?

Zelka, Julianna

What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's mother?

Austrian

What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's spouse?

German, Lutheran immigrant

What is/was the occupation of the quilt maker's spouse?

Welder for Buick Motors

Did the quilt maker have children? If so, how many?

1

How many of the quilt maker's children were boys?

1

How did the quilt maker learn to quilt?

Self-Taught

When did the quilt maker begin making quilts?

Age 40-49

How many quilt has the quilt maker made?

more than 50

Has the quilt maker ever sold quilts?

no

Has the quilt maker ever taught quilt making?

yes

Did/does the quilt maker belong to a quilting group? If yes, name the group(s).

Genessee Star Quilters

Where did/does the group meet?

Flint, Michigan.

What are the main activities of the group?

Raffle quilts, hospital quilts, many shows.

What type of quilted object is this?

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

93"

How long is the quilt?

93"

What is the shape of the quilt edge?

Straight

What is the shape of the corners?

Straight

What is the best description of the quilt's condition?

Excellent/like new

Enter the exact inscription here, including dates in the same form in which they appear on the quilt. Do not correct any spellings.

Mrs. Mary Schafer. Note on sleeve: Adapted from an 18th century Virginia territory quilt currently housed at Mt. Vernon, VA.

What is the date found on the quilt?

1968

Where is the inscription found on the quilt?

on back

What is the layout (or set) of the quilt?

Medallion or framed center

How many blocks are in the quilt?

One center medallion and four borders

How are the blocks arranged in the quilt?

Straight

Describe the style of the borders.

Swag; Scallop; grapevine; dogtooth

What types of fiber were used to make the quilt top?

Cotton

What piecing method was used to make the quilt top?

Hand Piecing

What applique method was used to make the quilt top?

Hand Applique

What fibers were used to make the quilt back?

Cotton

How many pieces of fabric were used to make the quilt back?

2

What is the width of the binding (front side only)?

less than a half inch

What is the fiber content of the quilt filling?

Polyester

Describe the overall quilt design.

Outline

Describe any decorative patterns used in the quilt design.

Feathering

What is the source of the quilt's pattern?

Another quilt

If you chose Other, please explain where the pattern was found.

This is a new reproduction of a quilt presented to the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association in 1886 which is still housed there.

List publications where this quilt or maker was featured.

Book, Mary Schafer and Her Quilts by Marston and Cunningham; Michigan State University Museum, 1990. Patterns; Templates; Prizes, awards, ribbons, etc. Photos of quilter; Interview with quilter; Clippings or photocopies; Audiotape; Videotape.

Other relationship to source: If you chose Other, for the relationship to the source, describe the relationship here.

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 did the owner acquire this quilt?

Purchase

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained.

2/18/1998, Mary Vida Schafer

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

It is an example of an 18th century medallion quilt with a center plume accompanied by a series of borders.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

What parts of the quilt making process did the quilt maker do?

Made entire quilt

Who photographed this quilt?

KEVA

Who is the copyright holder?

Michigan State University Museum