Quilting: Connecting People & Places Across the Globe – by Rosemarie Steele

It’s April in Paducah. Spring has arrived early and everywhere you look lush colorful flowers are abloom in downtown garden areas, beautiful quilts grace the window displays in the shops and cafés, the Quilt City USA banners are hung along Broadway and carpenters and city workers are tending to last minute maintenance. Soon more than […]

One Recklessly Optimistic Quilt – by Bill Volckening

In college, I studied a lot of art history. We were introduced the “isms” in the first semester – classicism, impressionism, expressionism, cubism, modernism, futurism – all the various movements and their distinct styles. The general emphasis of art history was to help students discern styles and associate them with periods. Impressionist painting for example, […]

American Craft Magazine Features Exec Producer Shelly Zegart

In the series, we talk about how quilts cross over from the craft world to the art world, so we are thrilled to get recognized on the American Craft Council website.  Check out the Q&A with Exec Producer Shelly Zegart to see how she first became involved with quilts and to learn more about how […]

“Quilting Arts” Reviews “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics”

In its April 2012 issue, Quilting Arts magazine reviews the Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics series: “If you have a deep-rooted interest in the multitude of ways that quilting has reflected and influenced our society, the this nine-part documentary series should be a cornerstone of your video collection,” says the reviewer, Vivika Hansen […]

How Quilts Empower Women – Inscribed Medallion Quilt, by Bill Volckening

It’s Women’s History Month and National Quilting Month, so what better way to celebrate than with quilts?  Episode 7 of “Why Quilts Matter” is all about how quilts have empowered women.  The topic intrigues me, as a Generation X male existing in the female-dominated world of quilts.  Clearly in the minority among my “quilt lady” […]

Healing Power – by Joanne Weis

Shapiro’s definition of a quilt goes well beyond our traditional understanding and her definition leads us to embrace the process of quilting as a significant element in empowering women. Women made considerable financial contributions during the Civil War by selling quilts to raise funds in both the North and South, while the northern “Sanitary Commission” […]

Guild Member Discount 40% for the documentary “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics”

If you are proud to be a quilter, you will want to own this series DVD! We have created the first documentary series that reveals the centrality of the quilt to American culture. You will hear from an amazing group of academics, savvy dealers and passionate quilt makers who will share their intriguing ideas, personal […]

History Channel Club: “Quilts Hold Much More Than Warmth”

Quilts aren’t just for snuggling (though they’re good for that, too). Politics, religion, family, and local history. These topics and more often are hidden among the bright colors and amazing patterns quilters have woven into their projects for generations. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill history professor William R. Ferris even cites quilts as a metaphor […]

Quilter’s Digest Review – March 2012

McCall’s Quilting Review – Feb/Mar 2012

“Why Quilts Matter” Speaks to Students at Spalding University

I was delighted to showcase an episode of Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics (Episode 7, “Empowering Women One Quilt at a Time”) and moderate a panel discussion on quilts as cultural metaphors at Spalding University this week. The event was organized by Spalding Professor of Art and Huff Gallery Director Joyce Ogden, MFA, […]

Labors of Love – Quilts with Heart, by Joan Ciolino

February is the month for giving and receiving expressions of love.  Mothers, fathers, friends and dear ones all given love tokens in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, mediums, and all-important flavors of chocolate.I have always considered quilts to be among the greatest expression of love but only recently have I fully appreciated the depth […]

Meeting Lucy Mingo – by Bill Volckening

In 2002, I visited my godmother “Aunt Jackie” in Manhattan.  She was always quick with ideas for things do, and knowing I enjoyed quilts, she told me to go straight to the Whitney to see the incredible new quilt exhibit. It was The Quilts of Gee’s Bend. The only other quilt exhibit I’d seen was […]

Library Journal Reviews “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics”

Another positive review has rolled in, this time from Library Journal which has the highest circulation of any journal for librarians. Library Journal reviews are written by librarians for librarians and feature the latest reviews and collection development resources. Check out their final verdict: “Zegart reveals through photographs and interviews just how essential quilts are in […]

In Honor of Valentine’s Day – A Tribute to Heart-Shaped Quilts

Hearts and the topic of love have been a story told through quilt for centuries.  As Valentine’s Day approaches we wanted to pull a few of our favorite quilts featuring heart images that were shown throughout the Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics series. The first featured quilt is entitled “Heart and Oak Leaves,” […]