In Honor of Mom’s – 30% Off Offer for Why Quilts Matter DVD

Order by May 5th to receive the nine-part series by Mother’s Day and take advantage of our special 30% discount for the Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics DVD set. Watch the series together and explore how quilts have captured family histories and served as vehicles of expression for mothers and daughters throughout the […]

Why Quilts Matter – Question & Answer with Martha Sielman

Why Quilts Matter – Discussion Guide Q&A series continues by taking a look at Episode 6: How Quilts have been Viewed and Collected. Who better to talk about the different styles of quilting and the challenges women face in getting their work in galleries than Martha Sielman, the Executive Director of Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA). In addition to authoring many books on studio art quilts, Martha is the curator of Masters II – An International Quilt Event at The New England Quilt Museum.

Kentucky Monthly: “Dancing Quilts”

Take a look at the “Dancing Quilts” article in the April 2013 issue of Kentucky Monthly magazine, by Rachel Guadagni.

Why Quilts Matter – Question & Answer with Denyse Schmidt

Many questions in the Why Quilts Matter Discussion Guide focus on the changes and future of the art of quilting. Who better to answer those questions than Denyse Schmidt, a quilter, former graphic designer, and graduate of Rhode Island School of Design.

Making a Quilt – by Bill Volckening

It’s National Quilting Month, and this month I thought I’d write about making a quilt. When I first started making small quilts about a year ago, most people were very surprised. People know me primarily as a collector, and I’ve been quoted as saying I can’t thread a needle. Sewing definitely doesn’t come naturally to me, but I have an art background, so that helps.

Why Quilts Matter – Discussion Guide Q&A with Joe Cunningham

As part of our celebration of National Quilting Month we are pleased to present a series of blog interviews with people you have said you “follow”. First up in the series is Joe Cunningham. Joe began making quilts professionally in 1979 after a ten-year career as a musician in Michigan. His quilts are in the permanent collections of museums, as well as in numerous private collections, and has both authored or collaborated on numerous books on quilting.

It’s Time to Celebrate National Quilting Month!

We can’t believe it’s March already, which means National Quilting Month will be in full swing soon. To celebrate we’re offering a FREE episode of Why Quilts Matter on our YouTube Channel during March and a special showing of Ep. 5: “Gee’s Bend: The Most Famous Quilts in America?” for The Quilt Show members from March 15 – 17. If you haven’t seen the series or you want to watch again, these are perfect opportunities to view for free!

Three Black Cats – by Bill Volckening

Sometimes a quilt can touch our lives, even when made by an unrelated person over 100 years ago. Nell Breyton of Edwards, Saint Lawrence, New York, must have lived on a farm. Her wonderful cotton crazy quilt, which is technically a tied comforter, includes depictions of animals. It is backed with Red Feather scratch feed sacks from R.H. McEwen Milling Co., of nearby Ogdensburg.

Patterns, Colors, Textures and Design – Share the Beauty!

Patterns, colors, textures and design. Quilts have always captured one’s visual imagination, so it’s no surprise that quilters have flocked to Pinterest in a big way, swapping ideas and imagery for their next project or purchase.

“A Most Romantic Quilt…”

The Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern is shrouded in romance and its origin is a bit mysterious. Some consider this pattern among one of the oldest, while others insist that there was no historical mention of it until the 1920s, at least in the U.S. Regardless of the discussions on when and where the pattern originated, the beauty of the Double Wedding Ring quilts transcends.

San Jose, January 2013

Every now and then something falls into place perfectly. That’s what happened at our recent event at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles where Exec Producer Shelly Zegart spoke about the series. The Museum was running a special anniversary exhibit (Collecting Treasures: Celebrating 35 Years) which was the perfect backdrop to “Episode 4: […]

The Willow Tree Quilt – by Bill Volckening

“Willow weep for me, willow weep for me, Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me” “Willow Weep for Me” was written and composed in 1932 by Ann Ronnell. It was performed by a long list of music legends—Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Wes Montgomery, and even Frank Sinatra. The first time […]

Important Discovery – by Bill Volckening

Achsah Goodwin Wilkins (1775-1853) was the daughter of William Goodwin of Lyde, a wealthy merchant in Baltimore. At age 18, Achsah became a member of the Methodist church, which caused difficulties with her Episcopal family. Two years later, she married William Wilkins, Jr., (1767-1832), who was also Methodist and a merchant. The family had a […]

Wonderful Wools – by Bill Volckening

In 2001, I was very intrigued by a quilt up for auction on eBay. I’d always preferred quilts that stood out as being different in some way, even though I wasn’t really a seasoned collector. Around the same time, I discovered eBay. Scrolling through hundreds of pictures of antique and vintage quilts for hours – […]

Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics in Quilters Newsletter – Dec’12/Jan’13