QUILT INDEX RECORD

49-142-3615

New York Quilt Project ID #:

LIR-035

Interviewer:

Jean Tuttle and M. Brehmer

Location of Interview:

Riverhead, Suffolk County

When was the form filled out?

09/10/1988

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:

Wading River

Quilt owner's state:

New York (NY)

2. How did the present owner acquire this quilt?

Gift

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

The present owner received this quilt as a gift from her Aunt Charity "Chat" Tuttle Miller. It will likely be passed down the owner's grandchildren (Hart children but still part of the Miller family).

4. How is the present owner related to the quiltmaker? The quiltmaker is my.....

Aunt

Source of the information on this quilt:

The quiltmaker is either the present owner's aunt or Great aunt.

5. What is the full name of the quiltmaker?

One of the Miller aunts.

Name of the group that made the quilt:

Worked on by several members of Miller family.

6. When was the quilt made?

c.1880

How old was the quiltmaker at the time?

The quiltmaker(s) were elderly women.

Time period:

1876-1900

7. How did she learn to quilt?

From relative

From where did she get her quilt patterns for this quilt?

Traditional pattern variation

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

New York (NY)

County (where quilt was made):

Suffolk

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

Miller Homestead, Wading River

Country (where the quilt was made):

United States

10. What can you tell me about the quiltmaker's background?
26. Is there anything else we should know about this quilt?

This quilt was a family endeavor. The family's ancestors were early English settlers from the 1640s. Some of the patches appear very old, so the quiltermakers were possibly using old patches from around the house. The quilt has been in the Miller family since it was made.

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?

The family attended religious services at a Congregational church and also possibly a Presbyterian church in Southhampton, then East Hampton, and then in Wading River since 1799.

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?

There are pictures of the family of quiltmakers. The Suffolk County Historical Society has information on the Miller Family. This quilt lives with other quilts.

Do you know any other name for this pattern?

Birds in Flight; Flying Geese

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

The quilt has been exhibited at the Wading River Historical Society.

24. Did the maker quilt this herself, did someone else do it, or did others help her?

One of the Miller aunts.

List others who helped with making the quilt (other than quilting):

Worked on by several members of Miller family.

Size: Length:

85"

Width:

80"

Type: block shape

Triangles

This is a:

Finished quilt

Brackman # or other source & #:

The source of name is from L. Lopata.

Fabric:

Cotton

Fabric Design:

Checked; Plaid; Print; Solid/plain; Striped

Predominant Colors:

Brown

Layout: spacing

Side by side

Layout: orientation

Straight

Border: None; Single; Double; Triple

None

Border Fabric; Border Corners:

The binding corners are mitered.

BACKING - Fabric:

Cotton

BACKING - Fabric Design:

Print

Seamed?

The back is seamed in two pieces.

Width of Fabric:

26", 53"

BACKING - Colors:

Brown; White

BINDING - Self or Applied:

Straight grain; Hand sewn

BATTING - Type:

Wool

BATTING - Condition:

Thin

QUILT TOP CONSTRUCTION - Piecing:

Hand Piecing; Piecing

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

The block or design set is horizontal.

Quilting:

Hand quilting

Describe how the layers are held together:

Evenly quilted.

Stitches per Inch - (top only):

7 stitches per inch.

QUILTING DESIGN - Overall:

Outline

Quilt's condition:

Good/moderate use

Damage:

Stains

Describe the damage:

Stained on backing.

Details

• 

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

American Folk Art Museum, all rights reserved