QUILT INDEX RECORD

49-142-2593

New York Quilt Project ID #:

BEL-202

Location of Interview:

Belfast, NY

When was the form filled out?

6/12/1989

Who documented this quilt?

New York Quilt Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

American Folk Art Museum

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's city:

Wellsville

Quilt owner's state:

New York (NY)

2. How did the present owner acquire this quilt?

Inheritance

3. How was the quilt acquired? Who will be the next owner of this quilt?

The quilt owner's daughter will inherit the quilt.

5. What is the full name of the quiltmaker?

Graves, Isabella Elizabeth Austin

6. When was the quilt made?

c. 1912

How old was the quiltmaker at the time?

The quilt maker was 56 years old when the quilt was made.

Time period:

1901-1929

8. What is the birthplace of the quiltmaker?

Belmont

9. Where did the quiltmaker live when this quilt was made?

New York (NY)

County (where quilt was made):

Allegany

Town, City or Village (where quilt was made):

Wellsville

Country (where the quilt was made):

United States

12. Is a religious affiliation of the maker important to the quilt? Is so, how?
13. Did the family attend religious services? Is so, which institution and where?

Yes, she attended a Methodist Chrurch.

Was the quiltmaker married?

The quiltmaker was married.

If so, who was the quiltmaker's husband/wife?

Gale, Edwin

What was spouse's occupation?

He was a merchant.

15. Did the quiltmaker have children?
___How many?
___If you know their names, please indicate.

Three; Zella, Clarabelle, Morris

16. Are there any photographs of the quiltmaker?
17. Did the quiltmaker leave any letters, diaries, or written records?
18. Are there any sewing tools...?
19. Are there any other quilts by the same maker?
25. Does this quilt live with other quilts?

Yes, there are photographs.

20. Did the quiltmaker have a name for this pattern? If so, what?

Strip Silk

21. Has the quilt ever been exhibited? If so, where?

Yes, this quilt was exhibited in the Shongo museum.

Describe the sources of the quilt's materials:

She saved scraps from dressmaking to make quilts

Describe the quilt in one or two sentences:

Silk Strip

Size: Length:

61"

Width:

59"

Number of quilt blocks:

120

Type:

Block pattern

Type: block shape

Squares

This is a:

Finished quilt

Fabric:

Silk

Fabric Design:

Checked; Plaid; Print; Solid/plain; Striped

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor; Dark colors

Layout: spacing

Side by side

Layout: orientation

Straight

Border Fabric; Border Corners:

This quilt has a pieced border with no sashing, the border's fabric was the same as the body of the quilt. The corners are butted.

BACKING - Fabric:

Cotton

BACKING - Fabric Design:

Solid/plain

Seamed?

The back is seamed.

BACKING - Colors:

Maroon

BINDING - Self or Applied:

Edges turned in/no separate binding; Hand sewn

BATTING - Type:

Cotton

BATTING - Condition:

Thin

QUILT TOP CONSTRUCTION - Piecing:

Hand Piecing

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

The quilt is blind and running stitched.

Quilting:

Tied or tufted

Quilt's condition:

Fair/worn

Describe the damage:

This quilt is damaged and fragile.

Identifying Marks:

Date; Signature

What is inscribed on the quilt?

Signed "Grandma Christmas", Inscription: Wellsville - Evelyn

Any other comments?

The silk on the quilt was made from a family rag bag.

Details

• 

  What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

  1913

  Quiltmaker's occupation:

  She was a teacher, who cared for her brother after he returned home after the Civil War.

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

American Folk Art Museum