QUILT INDEX RECORD

40-38-568

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

International Quilt Museum

Who documented this quilt?

Oregon Quilt Project; Philomena Durcan Collection

Oregon Quilt Project ID#:

2016.WA.LP.07

Documentation Site:

Laurel Park

Date data collected:

06-08-2016

Quilt's title:

Persian Treasure

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Owner's Name:

Durcan, Philomena Theresa

Quilt owner's city:

Portland

State

Oregon (OR)

Quilt owner's county:

Multnomah

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Quilt name or pattern used by family/owner:

Persian Treasure

Owner's relationship to quiltmaker (if any):

Quiltmaker

How was quilt acquired by owner?

Made by owner

Any additional stories or notes about the quilt's history or ownership?
Who will inherit this quilt?

MaryEllen and Dave Nardone will inherit this quilt.

Date begun:

c.1980

Date finished:

c.1982

Place made:
City

Sunnyvale

State

California (CA)

Country:

United States

Top made by:

Durcan, Philomena

Quilted by:

Durcan, Philomena

Reason(s) quilt was made:

Other

Details about why the quilt was made:

To create Celtic designs

Has this quilt been exhibited, displayed, or entered in competitions?

This quilt has been exhibited at museums and shows.

Quiltmaker's Occupation, at the time the quilt was made:

Homemaker, Quilter, Author. Teacher. Owner of "Celtic Design Company".

Quiltmaker's birth date:

10-15-1934

Name of the city where the quiltmaker was born:

County Sligo

Name of the country where the quiltmaker was born:

Ireland

Highest education level completed:

High School

Quiltmaker's spouse's name:

Wiechec, Walter

Spouse's Occupation:

Physicist

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Durcan

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

Irish

Religious Affiliation:

Roman Catholic

Number of children:

None

Did the quiltmaker make other quilt? approximately how many?

20-50 quilts

Major influences on quilt making?
Other interesting information about the quiltmaker:

My mother was a lacemaker and taught her craft. She also made lace for the church's altar cloths. She did not require that I learn sewing. I learned to sew and quilt after I married and moved to California.

Did the quiltmaker participate in group quilting activities?

Yes, Studio 12 and Sew N Sew Clubs in Sunnyvale, CA, USA. It was great fun and we all learned together. Marmie Schraub and Pat Gardner help me develop the bias tape applique technique. A wonderful friendship group.

Favorite pattern:
Piecing preferences:
Quilting is done with:

Favorites: Piecing: by hand Quilting: hoop

Reason(s) for quiltmaking:

Gifts; Pleasure; Other

Notes on how the quiltmaker learned, and how and why they quilt:

My four books were published after the quilts were designed and made. More than one quilt design is included in the second, third and fourth books.

Do you know if any of the following exist?

patterns for quilting photos of quiltmaker Photo of quilt Quiltmaker's patterns Publications

Please give other stories, customs, or interesting information about this quilt:

I was looking for a Persian carpet. But was not having any luck with any of the designs. So I decided to create my own Persian Treasure. Walt saw me struggling to ease the design into the corner, but was having difficulty. He helped draw the corners so the design fits right in. We printed the pattern and sold it at Quilt shows. It was a popular pattern because it was so unique. To the bequest: Mary Ellen and Dr. Dave Nardone have been God-sent guardian angels to walk with me during these recent (since 2014) challenging years. Dave has been most helpful in explaining and advising me on what is happening medically. He and Mary Ellen have been watching over me through my surgery, therapy and recovery and continuing good health. Mary Ellen, who is Irish, and I have had many pleasant evenings sharing our common heritage. I am grateful for their care and hope that they will enjoy this quilt of Persian Elegance.

This is a:

Finished quilt

Overall width (in inches, to the nearest 1/2"):

43"

Overall length (in inches, to the nearest 1/2"):

55"

Borders: _1 _2 _3 _more than 3

2

Width: (in inches, to the nearest 1/2") _1 _2 _3 _____other

1st border: 1/2" 2nd border: 9 1/2"

Quilt Layout Format:

Nontraditional or art

Describe the quilt setting:

Medallion or Framed Center could also apply to the layout of this quilt.

Shape of edge:

Straight

Predominate Colors:

Coral; Cream; Green

Overall Color Value:

Multicolor

Damage to Quilt:

Stains

Describe the damage:

minor stains

Overall Condition:

Excellent/like new

Family/owner's date for quilt:

c.1982

Date Time Frame:

1976-1999

Types of Inscriptions:

Date; Place; Signature

Content of Inscription (enter verbatim):

Philomena Durcan (her address) Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (her phone number)

Date of inscription (enter verbatim):

c.1982

Quilt Top Materials and Construction
Fibers types in Top:

Cotton; Cotton or polyester blend

Fabric types in Top:

Muslin; Satin; Other

Fabric patterns, styles or prints used:

Dotted; Floral; Solid/plain

Describe any unique characteristics of fiber, fabric, or fabric prints used:

Twill is also used in the construction of this quilt.

Applique techniques:

Hand Applique

Quilting Description:
Techniques Used:

Hand quilting

Number of stitches per inch:

8 stitches per inch.

Thread Type:

Cotton

Thread Color:

Peach

Width between quilting lines:

3/8" to 1 1/2", medium density

Knots visible?

no

Overall Pattern Design:

In-the-ditch

Decorative Patterns:

Other

Background Fill Patterns:

Other

Describe any quilting designs that appear on the quilt, but were not listed in a previous field.
Marking Lines:

Grid - Diamonds is the quilting pattern used for the background.

Binding:

Bias grain; Hand sewn; Machine sewn

Width of Binding:

less than a half inch

Specific Width of Binding (measurement to nearest 1/16"):

3/8"

Quilt Batting
Materials Used:

Cotton

Batting Loft:

Thin

Describe the quilt filling:

Batting loft is Thin.

Quilt Back Materials:

Cotton

Predominate Color of Backing:

Coral

Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:

3

Width of pieces (nearest 1/2"):

6 1/2", 41 1/2", 6 1/2".

Describe the back:

Machine sewn; Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

Source of Quilt's Materials:

Purchased new

Quilt Top Pattern Source:

Original to maker

Describe the source of the pattern:

"Persian Treasure" by Philomena Durcan

Quilt Design Pattern Source:

Original to maker

Details

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