QUILT INDEX RECORD

14-10-126

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Who documented this quilt?

Lands' End All-American Quilt Collection

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress Documentation Number:

AFC 1997/011: Folder 8991 P1

Alternate inventory number for this quilt. This might be a museum accession number.

afcqltle le070

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

Describe the relationship to the quilt's maker:

Quiltmaker submitted information with quilt.

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

My Heritage

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

Broken Star, Lone Star

How wide is the quilt?

73 inches

How long is the quilt?

75 inches

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

1976-1999

When was the quilt started?

September, 1992

When was the quilt finished?

January 10, 1993

Describe the quilt's layout:

Medallion or framed center

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton or polyester blend; Cotton

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:

The following information was supplied by the quiltmaker: Where did you learn the pattern? "The pattern is an original design based on a quilt my maternal grandmother hand made." Other techniques used include: "Quilted with gold thread; English paper piecing." How did you choose the materials used in your quilt? "The quilt that provided my inspiration was a Broken Star in shades of yellow with a white background. I chose shades of gold, to represent the darken shades of yellow as well as age, and value. I chose a black background to represent how the coal would have turned it black. I used the African fabrics to represent my African Heritage. The gold thread and the symbols in the quilting are to bring value to my African Heritage, as well as to provide contrast." "The following are the words written on the back of the quilt 'My Heritage': This quilt it dedicated to the memory of my Grandma Shallie Bennermon (Coleman). I remember the quilts that we used to sleep, fight, crawl, and live under. Small patches of dresses, clothes we no longer wore re-created into new memories. People have asked me, 'Who taught you?' or 'You must have lots of patience.' I don't. I make time for the things that are important to me, so did my grandma. When I was 17, I went to the house that my grandma had lived in. In the basement was a coal bin. Stretched in front of the bin was a 'Broken Star' in shades of yellow. I was in love! When I returned to California, I started the first of many quilts. I didn't put two and two together until many years later. I've always regretted not getting that quilt. But I've never forgotten it. Thank you grandma. I never really knew my grandma, but she will live through every quilt I make." How long have you been making quilts? How did you learn to quilt? "I have always loved to play with cloth. I made doll clothes and I began sewing at about 11 or 12. I made a quilt when I was 15, or 16 which was later stolen. But I began in earnest after seeing my grandmothers quilt when I was 17 which was over 20 yr. ago. I learned by trial and error. I am self taught." Has being a winner in the Land's End contest made a difference in your life? Has it changed the way you look at your work as a quilt maker? "Not until now. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to express for history what my quilting is to me. It has always been a part of me, the desire to create with cloth and color. But not the contest itself did not change how I looked at my creativity. It is really nice to see your work in Print (Lands' End address book)."

Quilt top made by:

Tummings, LaQuita

Where the quilt was made, city:

Vallejo

Where the quilt was made, state:

California (CA)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Why was the quilt made?

Memorial; Challenge or Contest entry; Art or personal expression; Personal enjoyment

The quilt was made to be used for:

Bedding, daily use

Contests entered:

This quilt was part of the Lands' End All-American Quilt Contest. 1994 Judges' Choice Winner

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/qlt:@FIELD(DOCID+@LIT(le070))

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Description of quilt:

This quilt is part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress "Quilts and Quiltmaking in American: 1978-1996 exhibit. It was winner in the Lands' End All-American Quilt Contest.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Email: folklife@loc.gov