QUILT INDEX RECORD

15-11-4024

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Wisconsin Quilt History Project

Who documented this quilt?

Wisconsin Quilt History Project

Wisconsin Quilt History Project Number:

2420

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt owner; Other

Source of the information on this quilt:

The owner is the daughter in law of the quilt maker.

When was the form filled out?

09-20-1991

Choose the best description of the source to the quilt:

Quilt owner

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

Received as a gift

Describe the relationship to the quilt's maker:

The quilt was made to celebrate the owner's 10th anniversary.

Interviewer:

Cregar, Jan

Where was the quilt documentation day held?

Jewish Community Center - NSQC

This is a:

Finished quilt

Owner's name for quilt:

Family Quilt

How wide is the quilt?

76 in.

How long is the quilt?

89 in.

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Blue or Navy; Brown; Green; Pink; Red; White; Yellow

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor; Bright or primary colors

Describe the damage:

The quilt is unwashed. It has been used mainly as a hanging quilt.

Type of inscription:

Other

Describe the type of inscription:

The nickname of the quilt maker, Mo, is on one of the quilt squares on the front. There are various other names of family quilt makers on the front. But there is no formal inscription or date on the back of the quilt.

Time period:

1930-1949

When was the quilt started?

late 1940's

When was the quilt finished?

early 1950's

Family/owner's date for quilt:

late 1940's to early 1950's

Who estimated the quilt's date?

the owner

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Subject of the quilt:

various block patterns - squares made by family members - each one is a different pattern.

Number of quilt blocks:

20

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Separated by plain sashing; Side by side

Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:

20

What is the shape of the quilt blocks?

Squares

Sashing width:

3 inches

Number of borders:

one

Describe the borders:

The border is the same color as the sashing. It is a purple print, 4 inches wide on 3 sides only - leaving the top open.

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Broadcloth

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Print; Solid/plain; Other

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:

Embroidery

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

Description of the back:

muslin

What color is the back of the quilt?

Cream

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

Fabric structure of the binding:

Plain weave

How is the binding made?

Front turned to back; Hand sewn

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

greater than one inch

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

6 spi.

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:

7 spi.

Quilt top made by:

McNeer, Bertie May Sparks

Quilted by:

McNeer, Bertie May Sparks

Other people who worked on this quilt:

The other blocks are individually made or left over from other quilts made by other family members.

Where the quilt was made, city:

Williamsburg and Cedar Bluff

Where the quilt was made, state:

Virginia (VA)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Gift

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

The quilt blocks were made from various family members' quilts in Williamsburg, West Virginia and Cedar Bluff, Virginia. The quilt was started by Bertie May in the late 1940's in Williamsburg. It was finished in the early 1950's in Cedar Bluff.

Why was the quilt made?

Commemorative; Gift or presentation

Details about why the quilt was made:

The quilt was made to commemorate the present owner's 10th wedding anniversary.

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Where did the maker get their materials?

Sewing scraps

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

The quilt uses patterns such as Double Wedding Ring, Grandmother's Flower Garden, Delectable Mountains, Dresden Plates, Log Cabin, Variation of Carolina Lily, Family Tree, Applique Leaves (Maple), Flying Geese, Churn Dash - Hole in the Barn Door.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's name:

McNeer, Ann bishop

Quilt owner's state:

Wisconsin (WI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Sparks

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

est. 1895

Quiltmaker's religious affiliation:

Episcopal

Quiltmaker's occupation:

She was her husband's secretary and a home maker

Quiltmaker's state:

Virginia (VA)

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

Quiltmaker's father's name:

Sparks, Thomas Jacob

Quiltmaker's mother's name:

Sparks, Mary Elizabeth Beiver

Quiltmaker's spouse's/spouses' and /or partner's/partners' name(s):

McNeer, Richard Mason

Quiltmaker's spouse's/spouses' and/or partner's/partners' occupation:

He grew up in a wealthy family. He was a banker, then worked in haberdashery on the weekends after the family lost money..

Number of children:

three

How many of the quiltmaker's children were boys?

three

Any other notes or stories about the quiltmaker:

The quilt maker came from a family of 12 children. She took care of the other children from the age of 8 and felt like she was the mother of her brothers and sisters. Her name went from Mother McNeer to Mom Mac, to Mac, and finally Mo.

Copyright holder:

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts