The Reviews are Rolling In!

It’s obvious we’re big fans of Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics,  but don’t just take our word for it.  Check out some recent reviews:

• The latest one is from the BooklistOnline, written by Eloise Kinney:  “If you own a handmade quilt, you may think you know why quilts matter. But it’s a guarantee that you don’t know everything about the history and culture of quilts, as revealed in this passionate nine-part documentary.”  Read the full review here.
• Take a look at Judie Bellingham’s of BellaOnline.com – The Voice of Women, who said “I’ve always know that quilting was BIG, but this big?”  Read more of Judie’s review here.
• Joan Ciolino also shared her thoughts of the series on her blog: “It will move you, inspire you and enable you to carry your head a little higher.” Read more here.

Let us know your reviews in the comment section below or on Facebook or Twitter. We created this series to spark a conversation around quilts and we want to hear your thoughts!

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“I am thrilled that this series has been created! I have now watched all 9 parts of “Why Quilts Matter” at least twice. Some segments I have watched 3 and 4 times. Shelly Zegart has done a marvelous job of capturing the history of the late 20th century quilt revival plus adroitly articulating some of the controversy. I hope the larger world of collectors, social historians and social anthropologists take notice, not to mention the quilters. Quilt guilds should have this series in their guild’s library. I would love to be present at a regular quilt guild meeting, i.e. non-quilt historian groups, when its members view this series to see what their perceptions of each issue is and to hear the discussion that follows! Time constraints and costs always cut these kinds of documentaries too short, but Shelly has managed in the time allotted to air some very important issues. My guess is that this series will stimulate a lot of dialogue. It is a safe bet you are going to love this series. I can’t recommend it highly enough, and it is very reasonably priced to boot! In addition, for those who have been involved in the quilt world since the late 1970s, it truly is an overview of the last 30 years of our lives.” – Karen B. Alexander, Past President of The Quilters Hall of Fame – http://thequiltershalloffame.blogspot.com/

“Shelly thanks for this great experience. I’m hungry for more!!” – Judie Bellingham

“I suspect this will be an awesome program for my students in the Textile Design Program at St. Lawrence College when I am the Design Program Director and manage the College’s Textile Resource Library.    (My paternal grandmother Edna Sumners Hord was an awarding Kentucky Quilter from Hopkinsville and lived in Louisville most of her adult life.) I so look forward to it!” – Bethany Garner
“Bought it, watched it, loved it. Love the episode on technology that has taken place in the quilt world, amazing.” – Denise Schofield

“I bought the DVD – simply awesome!!!!” – Laurie Klem Molnar

“The syllabus with the DVD is a wonderful addition! Thanks for a delightful presentation & all the hard work to bring this together for us!!” – Marilyn Barker Glenn

“Just wanted to let you know I received the DVDS today. Wow… Only had time to watch the first episode tonight but it was fantastic! Can’t wait to see the rest. This series is an enormous accomplishment. You must be extremely proud!  Thank you so much, and best wishes!” – Susannah

“I finally had a stretch of time to immerse myself into “Why Quilts Matter” and wish to congratulate you for this phenomenal series of interviews, your own involvement from A to Z with the project and the great presentation with the series of interviews.  It really is great to see something that was so very well done and is now available to everyone ! Your love for quilts and your commitment show through every aspect of the 9 episodes.  Again, congratulations!  All best, Christa” – Christa Thurman, Past Textile Curator of the AIC Chicago

“Hi Shelly, I have been meaning to write to tell you how wonderful your film is! I have really enjoyed the series and am so thankful to be a part of it. The episodes are very insightful and interesting. It is a wonderful and thorough project! Bravo!  All the very best, Vadis.” – Vadis Turner, artist in the series

“The series was a real journey for me. I have always admired quilts, seen them in many places, but all your very detailed and so well-presented subject matters were an enlightenment for me. I was making quilts before I called them quilts and once aware of it, I realized that I had been, in some fashion or other, drawn to the ‘patches’ since I was eleven years old. Just imagine, and now you put some of it into your ‘Why Quilts Matter’ – all I can say is ‘thank you, Shelly.’” – Brigitte Rutenberg, artist

“My computer crashed a few mos. ago and I haven’t had your e-mail. But someone sent me your video trailer and I felt like I was watching your life work in front of my very eyes. What a thrilling production for you to have created.  I loved the woman talking about how proud we Americans should be of our quilt history – another about connections with our American culture. I look forward to seeing every segment. Wow! What perseverance you have to put your knowledge and contacts to work for the benefit of art history.  Thank you for doing this – your hard work paid off. It is a tantalizing trailer that only whets the appetite for more.  With great admiration, Genie Potter.” – Genie Potter

Read more reviews and see what people are saying about the series…

Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics in Press…