
Cite this Quilt
Clarke, Bozena Vilhelmin. Rose Basket. 1942. 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=12-8-7823. Accessed: 02/28/21
QUILT INDEX RECORD
12-8-7823
Object label
Rose Basket
Bozena Vilhelmina Clarke
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Top made in 1939, quilted in 1943
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#6119.33
Essay about this quilt.
The "Rose Basket" quilt is in the style of a pattern designed by Anne Orr, a needlework and quilting designer from Tennessee who wrote a column and was needlework editor for Good Housekeeping magazine from 1919 until 1940. The trademark look of Orr's pieced designs is that they replicate the look of a cross-stitch pattern. A multitude of one-inch, finished squares are positioned to form the quilt's design.
Bozena Clarke began this quilt on October 11, 1938, completed the piecing in 1939, and entered it in the May 1940 Detroit News Quilt Show where it was awarded a third prize. The top was quilted in 1942 and then presented to Harriet Clarke for her high school graduation.
By Mary Worrall, excerpted from American Quilts from Michigan State University Museum.
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
85.2139
If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number here
6119.33
What is the title of the quilt?
Rose Basket
What is the name of the quilt given by the owner?
Rose Basket
Who made the quilt top?
Clarke, Bozena Vilhelmina
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?
1938-9
When was the quilt finished?
1942
This quilt was made to be used as a
Gift or presentation
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?
Motl
What is the quilt maker's birthdate?
2/24/1871
What environment did the quilt maker(s) live in?
Urban
If applicable, when did the quilt maker die?
3/17/1967
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker?
Bohemian (Czech)
What is/was the last level of education completed by the quilt maker?
8th grade
What is/was the quilt maker's religious affiliation?
Congregational
What is/was the occupation of the quilt maker?
Worked for a tailor, then as a homemaker.
What is the quilt maker's father's name?
Motl, Franc
Where was the quilt maker's father born?
Austria
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's father?
Bohemian (Czech)
What is the quilt maker's mother's name?
Motl, Ann Smely
Where was the quilt maker's mother born?
Austria
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's mother?
Bohemian (Czech)
What is/was the ethnic or tribal background of the quilt maker's spouse?
English
What is/was the occupation of the quilt maker's spouse?
Lighting salesman and insurance salesman.
Did the quilt maker have children? If so, how many?
3
How many of the quilt maker's children were girls?
2
How many of the quilt maker's children were boys?
1
How did the quilt maker learn to quilt?
From Friend
When did the quilt maker begin making quilts?
Age 50 or over
Why does/did the quilt maker make quilts?
Therapy
If you chose Other, explain the why the quilt maker quilts.
Bozena was an accomplished needle worker when she leaarned to quilt from the Rebecca Jane Circle from her church.
How many quilt has the quilt maker made?
20-50 quilts
Has the quilt maker ever sold quilts?
yes
Has the quilt maker ever taught quilt making?
only informally
Did/does the quilt maker belong to a quilting group? If yes, name the group(s).
Rebecca Jane Circle
Where did/does the group meet?
Boulevard Congregational Church
What are the main activities of the group?
They quilted tops for each other and their friends.They also sewed items like aprons that they sold at the churchh's bazaars.
What type of quilted object is this?
Finished quilt
How wide is the quilt?
73 3/4
How long is the quilt?
94
What is the shape of the quilt edge?
Straight
What is the shape of the corners?
Rounded
What color(s) is the quilt?
Brown, 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.
Rose Basket Started Oct. 11, 1938 by Bozena Clarke-piecing finished in 1939-pieced top awarded third prize May 1940 in the Detroit News Quilt Show Quilted 1942 by Bozena V Clarke High School Graduation Gift to Harriet Ann Clarke June 1942
What is the date found on the quilt?
1939-42
How was the inscription made?
Attached label, Embroidery
If you chose Other, please describe the method used to inscribe the quilt.
cross stitch
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?
3888
What size are the blocks?
1 x 1
How are the blocks arranged in the quilt?
Straight
How are the blocks spaced in the quilt?
Side by side
If one shape is used throughout the quilt, what is that shape?
Squares
How many borders are on the quilt?
5
Describe the style of the borders.
1 3/8", 1 1/4", 2 3/4", 1 5/8", 1 7/8"
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?
2
How do you describe the quilt back?
Same fabric used throughout
What fiber type was used to make the quilt binding?
Cotton
What is the structure of the fabric used to make the quilt binding?
Plain weave
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.
7
Choose another spot on the quilt. How many quilting stitches are there per inch? Count only the stitches on the top.
7
Describe the overall quilt design.
Single parallel lines
Describe any decorative patterns used in the quilt design.
Cables
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
If you chose Other, please explain where the pattern was found.
The pattern came from the Detroit News.
Enter the commercial name of the top's pattern if you know it.
Was probably an 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 quiltmaker, story of quitmaker in Michigan Quilt: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition by Ruth Fitzgerald and Marsha MacDowell; oral history told be her grand daughter, Harriet Clarke.
List publications where this quilt or maker was featured.
Image of quiltmaker, story of quitmaker in Michigan Quilt: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition by Ruth Fitzgerald and Marsha MacDowell; oral history told be her grand daughter, Harriet Clarke.
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.
This quilt was given as a gift to the quiltmakers granddaughter, Harriet Clarke for her high school graduation in 1942. Harriet donated it to the MSU Museum in 1985.
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.
Bozena read the Detroit News quilt columns and collected patterns from them.
Who photographed this quilt?
Fumio Ichikawa
Who is the copyright holder?
MSU Board of Trustees
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Ephemera
Handmade Household Inventory Booklet
Clarke, Laura May
-
Collection
Clarke Family Quilt Collection
Michigan State University Museum
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Collection
Detroit News Quilt History Project
Salser, Susan
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Clarke, Bozena Quiltmaker