Quilt Stories from the Museum of Texas Tech University: Baskets from Oklahoma

Basket Rendezvous by Alex Anderson. Image courtesy of Alex Anderson

Basket quilts are charming, fun, and endearing. But they become so much more when a mother sources the fabrics from the clothing of her children. The resulting quilt becomes a much loved family treasure.

Baskets from Oklahoma

by Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Curator of Clothing and Textiles, Museum of Texas Tech University

In February of this year, several quilts in excellent condition came to the museum from a family that settled in Texas. Along with the quilts came information about the women who made the quilts. This month we focus on a cheerful and fun Basket Quilt made (circa 1950) by Mary Kathleen “Kathleen” Mathis Rolater (Mrs. Luther, b. Aug. 23, 1904, m. Nov. 9, 1922, d. May 22, 1996) in, Oklahoma, possibly in Wewoka. The quilt was made from the dresses belonging of her three daughters: Marjorie, Drucilla and Amaryllis.

Basket Quilt, made circa 1950 by Mary Kathleen Mathis Rolater in Oklahoma.
Gift of James and Sarah Tindall, TTU-H2020-010-003. Image courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.

Mary Kathleen (who went by Kathleen) married Luther Rolater on November 9, 1922 and subsequently moved to Oklahoma where she resided for all but 10 years the rest of her life. Luther’s work with Gulf Oil Pipeline meant frequent moves for the family. Kathleen was especially interested in promoting the welfare of women and children and was always an active member in Women’s Federated Clubs wherever the family happened to be living.

Although the quilt was made of scraps from her daughter’s dresses, the Rolater family lived a comfortable lifestyle due to the steady work Gulf Oil Pipline offered. Luther and Kathleen’s survived the deaths of their two oldest daughters. Amaryllis, the youngest daughter, married James Tindall, Sr. a Texas cotton broker. Amaryllis’ son and daughter-in-law donated the basket quilt to the Museum.