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Carolyn Hershberger Oberman
Quiltmaker
Fennville, Allegan County, Michigan, United States

During the late 60s I bought several good pieced tops at auction sales and have quilted and sold four of those. I have made a quilt for each of my two daughters and am now starting to make a quilt for my six grandchildren. I also have two tops pieces and ready to quilt for myself, a Boston Commons and a scrap quilt of my own design which I call Points to Ponder.
Two of Carolyn's quilts are featured in Michigan Quilts: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition, page 50.
The main differences are the loft of the batting, and the size. A comforter is always tied because of its thickness.
I have heard of and seen examples of all these mentioned. My personal experience has been with a friendship quilt. In 1932 one was made for my mother by neighbors when she moved to another state with her family. It was a Log Cabin, cotton fabric, with the name of whoever sewed the block embroidered on the larger-than-usual chimney patch. The quilt was inherited by a sister after our mother's death. I subsequently obtained the quilt (by trading for it with one of mine) with the purpose of giving it to the MSU Museum, Folk Art Division. I wanted the quilt to be preserved for future generations to see and study as it is full of history in the area which it was made.
I have made high-loft tied comforters; lap quilts with flannel sheet filling, 36" x 48"; crib quilts, about 40" x 50" with polyester batting; and low-loft summer quilts.
Was the maker a woman, man or a group?
Female
When was the quiltmaker born?
4/7/1921
Educational background:
12 grades, through High School, Business school
Religious affiliation:
Protestant, Presbyterian
Occupation (if retired, former occupation):
Many areas of Food Service until retired in 1985
Where was the quiltmaker born?
Woodland, Barry County, Michigan (MI), United States
Quiltmaker's maiden name:
Hershberger
Father's Name:
Loren Hershberger
Father's ethnic/tribal background:
Farmer
Mother's Name:
Mary Blocher Hershberger
Mother's ethnic/tribal background:
Farmer
Number of female children:
2
When did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?
Age 11-19
Other reasons the quiltmaker makes/made quilts.
Self taught, by osmosis, I guess, from maternal grandmother and mother. First quilt was a double bed size quilt. Started at age 19, then stopped and began again at age 45, and continued.
Does/did the quiltmaker sell quilts?
yes
What price was charged for the quilts and when were they sold?
To neighbors and at craft/art shows. In this area if I charged what a quilt is worth, I would not sell any so my price fluctuates between $250 and $350.
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Documentation Project
Michigan Quilt Project Michigan State University
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Quiltmaker
Zumbrun, Mary -
Quiltmaker
Blocher, Olive Zumbrun -
Quiltmaker
Hershberger, Mary Blocher -
Story
Four generations of quilters in the Zu...
MacDowell, Marsha
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Creator
Colorama Oberman, Carolyn
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Creator
Winter Sunset Oberman, Carolyn
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Creator
Star of Bethlehem... Oberman, Carolyn
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