The National Quilt Museum
Mar 10th 2011 02:09:26 pm
You may have noticed that once again the Swap-bot blog has been a bit quiet… well, this time I have a very good reason!! Last week I took a trip to Kentucky (to visit my sweet grandma) and I got to check out The National Quilt Museum in Paducah. Paducah is a city of about 30,000 in western Kentucky with a thriving arts community.
I love museums and will visit one anywhere I can, but The National Quilt Museum was a real treat because it combines my love of museums with my love of craft. I did not know what to expect from the The National Quilt Museum, but I was blown away by the gorgeous building, the amazing quilts, and the professionalism of the exhibits.
The National Quilt Museum was opened in 1991 and honors today’s quilter, meaning that it mostly displays contemporary quilts from around the country. The Museum “is the portal to the contemporary quilt experience through traditional and non-traditional quiltmaking. It is the gateway to the discovery of quilts, quiltmaking, and the quilt artist. The Museum is committed to be the best in quilt exhibitions, quilt education, and quilt experience.” The quilts on display were truly stunning and many of them are winners of the American Quilters Society annual contest. Most were machine pieced, but hand quilted, and the detail was mind boggling!
Above is a photo of the stained glass quilts in the Museum lobby. Sadly, photography was not allowed within the exhibit halls, but you can check out the Museum’s entire collection online via The Quilt Index. The online photo does not do it justice (nor does it show the jewel-encrusted pattern on the back), but Sedona Rose by Sharon Schamber was my favorite of the quilts on view.
The National Quilt Museum also focuses on education and community involvement. Above are some of the yo-yos made by the Yo Yo Club of Paducah which meets at the Museum. The Museum also hosts an annual School Block Challenge, a quilting contest for children. The 2011 School Block Challenge winners are currently on view at the museum and it was fun to see all of the creative things submitted by students from all over the country. The best part: while I was at the museum, two teenage boys came through to check out their quilt block which had won a third place prize! Not only is The National Quilt Museum getting teens interested in art and craft, but they are breaking down gender stereotypes, too! I love it!
If you are ever in Kentucky, I strongly encourage a trip to The National Quilt Museum, especially if you want to be inspired to take your own crafting to the next level.
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Now the fun part – a Giveaway! I have a few items from the Museum gift shop to give away to one lucky winner!!
You could win the mini quilt kit seen above (which includes the pattern, fabric, backing, and binding needed to make a 16 x 16″ quilt), a souvenir National Quilt Museum pin, plus some Swap-bot goodies. To enter, simply comment on this blog post and share one memory or experience that relates to quilt making. Have you ever made a quilt? Were you gifted a quilt made by someone special to you? Has a quilt you saw in a museum inspired your crafting?
The details: You must be a member of Swap-bot to win this giveaway. Please include your username in your comment. The contest will be open for entry through next Friday, March 18th. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday, March 20th. Good luck!
66 Comments » Categories: craftiness, Giveaways
Mavis L. (auntmaymay1221) on 10 Mar 2011 at 2:41 pm #
I love swap-bot and swapping! But I have been to the quilt museum in Paducah a couple times and it is absolutely amazing…amazing…..as are the quilts at the international quilt show in April. I am auntmaymay1221 on swap-bot. I hope i win!!!!
Kathleen on 10 Mar 2011 at 2:58 pm #
Wow, what an awesome way to spend a day. The museum sounds fabulous!
One of my favorite quilting memories goes way back to high school. My FHA group made a quilt to raffle for a charity. It took us many, many, many hours to complete, but we all had such a great time completing it! Now my oldest is in high school, but FHA (Future Homemakers of America) no longer exists. FFA (Future Farmer’s of America) is still active but “homemaking” has been replaced with Future Career and Community Leaders of America. Hmmmmm…
HeideC on 10 Mar 2011 at 3:49 pm #
I made a valentines day quilt that was raffled off at a MDA fundraiser! It was pink and green and I sewed little pink and green heart buttons between the patches!
May on 10 Mar 2011 at 3:50 pm #
I’m mayflowermoonie on swap-bot..
My parent’s church used to have a giant room that housed a quilt frame. It smelled like the fabric store, and I used to love to hide under the quilt-in-progress after church and listen to the women talk about life. I got caught one time, and instead of being upset, they taught me how to sew! I never learned how to quilt though…
Connie on 10 Mar 2011 at 3:51 pm #
When I was 19 or 20 I was doing laundry in the laundromat and struck up a conversation with an older lady. For some reason the talk turned to quilts and she sketched the plan for a log cabin block on the back of an envelope and gave it to me. I went and found remnants from other projects and scavenged things from the rag bag and made a straight furrow log cabin quilt. I machine sewed the squares but did the quilting by hand. I wish I still had that kind of patience!
On swap-bot I am Corazon.
Alphachick on 10 Mar 2011 at 3:59 pm #
Alphachick here. My quilt making experience started shortly after my 2nd child was born. My friend from school quilted and I was sucked in by all the beautiful fabrics she had. She taught me a few things, and I have made only one small quilt. Shortly after that I was doing the breast cancer 3 day walk and another class mate donated a pink quilt she ahd made for a raffle I was doing to raise money. It was just gorgeous, and helped me raise $250 from the raffle alone. Everyone wanted it!
Rainbowlicker on 10 Mar 2011 at 4:06 pm #
My mother and I work on quilts together. Usually I help pick out the fabric and she does most of the actual sewing. So the giveaway would give us another project to work on together. Also, I would give the pin to my boyfriend cause he collects pins. Either way, awesome giveaway! I will definitely have to go to the museum and take my mother. =)
Lisa on 10 Mar 2011 at 4:20 pm #
Even though I sew, I’ve never made a quilt. I don’t even own a quilt
I always look at the ones they have hanging at the fabric store and admire them. I’m in awe of my sister-in-law who is an avid quilter. I think a 16″x16″ quilt would be a great place to begin!! (sunnyblueskies on Swap-bot). Thanks for hosting another lovely giveaway!
Cynthia on 10 Mar 2011 at 4:32 pm #
My Grandmother could sew anything. She made clothes without the use of patterns and made sewing her life’s work. My Mother used to tell me about the beautiful dresses Nana would make her out of feed sacks during the Depression. But for fun, my Grandmother loved to make quilts. I remember the small quilt she made for one of my dolls.
When I had my first child, Nana patiently walked me through the process of making a small quilt. I was very proud of my slightly crooked quilt. Sadly, I haven’t made another. Thank you, Rachel, for hosting this giveaway.
Barb on 10 Mar 2011 at 5:23 pm #
Well I live like 5 minutes across the river in Illinois from Paducah Kentucky. I am ashamed to say I have never visited the museum. Have thought about it many times, I love quilts, but for some weird reason never made it there. Paducah is a lovely city and is where we Metropolis people go pretty much daily. You know how it goes when its in your own backyard…… I will be making an attempt to visit.
shabbypink123 on 10 Mar 2011 at 5:25 pm #
The pictures are stunning. The workmanship is just fabulous! Thank you for sharing about your trip with us! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Shabbypink123 @swap-bot.
vintageprincess on 10 Mar 2011 at 6:55 pm #
I love swap-bot and I love quilting. I belong to a quilt guild that meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month ~ Star Stitchers. I have never been to the museum but that and Paducah are on my bucket list. Enjoyed reading about your trip. Lana
Nichole on 10 Mar 2011 at 8:14 pm #
I am actually going to Paducah in 3 weeks with my mom, we’ll be going to the big Hancock Fabrics there! I know how to sew, but not quilt. My mom is a pro-quilter and I’m hoping to learn the basics while I’m in Chicago to visit her.
I love Swap-bot. It’s the best!
)
MaddiChan94 on 10 Mar 2011 at 8:18 pm #
I love your pictures! After seeing this blog, I very much want to visit this museum. I think I will have to try this summer. Thank you for this great opportunity to win!
GlimmerLlama on 10 Mar 2011 at 9:14 pm #
Until recently, I didn’t get the appeal of quilts…it just looked like scraps of fabric thrown together. Now, after trying to make a quilt myself (just trying, not succeeding!), I see how much creativity, planning, and work it takes to create one.
(glimmerllama on swapbot)
feistyairhead on 10 Mar 2011 at 9:28 pm #
When i was younger, i once saw my mom making a quilted blanket for one of my sister’s school projects. We obviously took it back and used it after she was done with her project. My grandma also used to make quilted blankets out of fabric scraps for me when i was a baby. <3
(feistyairhead on swapbot)
zigg13pra on 11 Mar 2011 at 2:57 am #
My first quilt to make was in jr. high. It went superfast and was super easy and I was hooked! Unfortunately I don’t know what happened to it but at the same time, that’s ok because it was pretty ugly (color wise)! I used the scraps to make a baby blanket for my new sister too.
Pablo on 11 Mar 2011 at 4:00 am #
This museum is fantastic and really deserves more profile. If you’re anywhere in the region, change your plans and visit this museum. The downtown area a few steps away is filled with nice shops and restaurants as well. Paducah is a great place for a visit.
Yve on 11 Mar 2011 at 6:13 am #
Looks like a fabby musuem. Thanks for the chance at the give away
Kim B on 11 Mar 2011 at 6:26 am #
kktb1216 and I would love to see it. I would love love to win the giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
seouldier on 11 Mar 2011 at 6:28 am #
I made my first quilt as a adult. I got it in my head that making a baby quilt for a friend was a good idea after having learned to sew only weeks before. I scoured the internet for instructions and was ready only to realize that most of my fabric is dark color themed. No pastels in sight! Luckily, my friend is of the punk rock nature and loved the asian themed black quilt I made for her soon to be daughter.
Michele on 11 Mar 2011 at 6:56 am #
Oooh, I’m jealous of your trip, Rachel! I have a habit of buying lots of lovely fabrics from Hancock’s of Paducah online. I enjoy sewing and quilting, but buying new fabric is the best!
I took my first quilting class maybe 12 or so years ago. I had never used a sewing machine, so I did the whole thing by hand–both piecing and quilting. I bought my first sewing machine soon after, but I still quilt by hand. I stay really busy with two young children, so it’s only small projects for me for now! @SweetClementine on Swap-bot
Stacy on 11 Mar 2011 at 7:47 am #
I got married a year ago in February and for my wedding gift, a coworker made a quilt for us. It is so detailed, down to the colors she used and the hearts in the pattern. For example, she used a cow fabric because both of us go past a dairy farm on our way to work and talk about it. She used a bowl of cherries fabric and one that matched our wedding colors. She even included our family dog!
It’s something that we will always cherish and it will always make us think of her.
Lisa on 11 Mar 2011 at 8:19 am #
I love quilts, though I’m not a quilter. I particularly love crazy quilts, because of the variety of fabrics, memories, and wonderful stitches that can be so colorful and creative.
I have a quilter friend who made me a beautiful wall hanging that she personalized with my name and pictures of my cats. She is such a wonderful friend (and quite a well-known quilter). All her work is self-designed and hand stitched, hand quilted.
The museum is a place I will surely visit this summer, hopefully with my quilting friend.
Angela Boehm on 11 Mar 2011 at 8:45 am #
My mom and grandmother were always working on some quilt or another as I was growing up and we always have an assortment of home made quilts laying around the house. It is lovely!
Elaine Paullus on 11 Mar 2011 at 9:30 am #
i did make a quilt once for my first born son. I hand stitched designs on blocks, and then quilted each block into a quilt top and made a quilt. he was 2 by the time i finished it. It is a great work of art. We still have it and he’s 27 now.
jerseyelaine
Helene (marymint) on 11 Mar 2011 at 9:46 am #
I am making a quilt at the moment, I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with english paper piecing! I can’t wait for it to be finished but I think I will also be quite sad because I have been doing it since the summer.
I have included a variety of sentimental fabrics, some of my Gran’s fabrics, some from my Mum and some from clothes of mine when I was younger. I hope it turns out ok!
Marymint, xxx
Angela Gue (Wolfeagle) on 11 Mar 2011 at 12:28 pm #
My great great and great grandmother made quilts that have now been passed on from generation to generation. They are among our most valued possessions as they were made by sweet family, much by hand, and so much love goes in to making a quilt. I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip with your Grandma. Grandmas are such precious people. I would be thrilled to make that mini quilt.
Katy Kapasi on 11 Mar 2011 at 3:51 pm #
Thanks to my dear sister-friend, Pat, who started me on the path of quilting almost eight years ago. While visiting her for Christmas one year, she gave me a special “me” day that included a trip to the quilt store to purchase some fat quarters, and an afternoon spent rotary cutting and piecing strips (sheer bliss)
I fell hook, line, and sinker into this wonderful world and the friendships and journey have been an amazing blessing
Would love to take a road trip to visit the museum in the near future
BuniGrrl on 11 Mar 2011 at 9:43 pm #
Finally, a reason to visit Kentucky! You’ve reminded me I need to ask my mom for my childhood quilt. My mom, an amazing seamstress, made matching patchwork quilts for my sister and I (we shared a room when we were little). They were so pretty and looked like spring and happiness … perfect for two little girls
Carol Raven on 12 Mar 2011 at 6:54 am #
In 1981 a friend asked me if I would like to learn to quilt. That generous statement changed my life. Before, I did so many crafts – but the quilting bug bit me and bit me hard. 30 years later, I am still quilting and now mix in multi-media techniques as well. My crafting life is wonderful fun!
Carrie Zee on 12 Mar 2011 at 9:21 am #
What wonderful stories, everyone! Alas, I don’t know how to sew or quilt, but I do greatly admire the work of others. Quilts seem to be more than functional works of art. They can also be a way of connecting one generation to the next.
My quilt story is about a well-worn quilt that is draped over the rocker in my bedroom. It’s a twin-size log cabin quilt that’s shredded in places now, but originally covered my mother’s bed when she was a child.
We lost her a few years ago but before she left us, I placed her childhood quilt gently around her. My hope was that it would both keep her warm but also prepare her to greet the spirit of the quilt maker, my grandmother who was most assuredly waiting to welcome my mom into the next phase of her being.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to reflect on the beautiful part of that painful time.
Denise Benedict on 12 Mar 2011 at 11:46 am #
I am not a traditional quilter. About 15 years ago I did manage a queen size quilt for my mother in law (Ella). She was very into genealogy and pictures. Ella was one of those people who has everything and when it came time for Christmas everyone scrambled to find “just the right gift” I was inspired to make the perfect gift, something no one else could give her and so I spent very spare minute for weeks using the picture it goo to transfer photos of all 9 of her kids as children onto fabric and then piecing it all together. The completed quilt really was a master piece for me. We had a huge gathering on Christmas eve and exchanged presents. I will never forget watching her open the quilt. She thought is was just a blanket until someone helped her unfold it. The tears just streamed down her face when she realized it was covered in pictures of just her kids.. My brother and sister in laws now argue over who gets it when their parents have both passed.
Ella passed in her sleep 2 years ago, The quilt still hangs on the family room wall.
Danijela(principeta) on 12 Mar 2011 at 3:54 pm #
This is so lovely giveaway.I don’t have any memories or story but I wanted to try quilting for a while and this would be perfect opportunity,if I win =o),and you can never say no to swap-bot goodies,heey.
Laura Aust on 12 Mar 2011 at 4:56 pm #
I visited the museum a couple of years ago when I took a bus trip to the AQS show in Paducah! It was an amazing addition to the show and all the other events that were going on. I also learned to hand marble my own fabric at one of the city’s resident’s studio!
I would LOVE to win the quilt kit as quilting is my passion – and I love fabric (ADDICTION).
You are great! Thanks for bringing us the Swpa-Bot site!
Laura Aust on 12 Mar 2011 at 4:58 pm #
I forgot – my username on Swap-Bot is: LauraAust
Carol Warner on 12 Mar 2011 at 5:12 pm #
What a great museum! I have not been there, but I have been to another really good one-the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, Colorado. I had them look at one of my quilts that my great-grandmother in Minnesota made in the 1880s and was told it was a “teaching” quilt made to help younger girls learn the craft. The backing is old flour sacks and although it is too fragile for use it is one of my favorite possessions. Should I win the wonderful prize, I would need a teacher of my own to help me making the quilt, but I do know several people that I could enlist! Carol in Denver (CWarner)
susan on 12 Mar 2011 at 5:35 pm #
Very nice giveaway, I just started quilting so really would enjoy it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Luv2swap
Patricia on 12 Mar 2011 at 7:03 pm #
I would love to go to the quilt musuem…They hold a quilt display at our local library a couple times a year and also raffle off a beautiful dogwood quilt at our dogwood festival every year…I always check out the quilts at both of these places
Windowfog on 13 Mar 2011 at 1:33 am #
I’ve never tried quilting, and I don’t think anyone in my family quilts or has quilted. So unfortunately, I don’t have any real experience with them. I only remember being jealous of a friend who had a quilt made by mom. She made one for every one of her kids! I’m not sure, but I think she had 7 or 6.
I need to learn!
lorena on 13 Mar 2011 at 10:44 am #
Oh wow, what a sweet little giveaway, thanks!
I took a beginning quilting class about five years ago during a summer when I had some time for myself. It’s such a great thing to know how to do, not just to sew but how to quilt. I’ve made a few more quilts (small ones, hehe) since then, all for gifts and they’re always very appreciated, and I always enjoy making them. 
(lorepuckett on s-b)
Mona Broomfield on 13 Mar 2011 at 1:13 pm #
I don’t know how you do all this. You are FABULOUS! My favorite memory is my Christmas gift from Grandma when I was 5. I received a Rag Doll with her own quilt and a matching one for me. I still have the doll and the little quilt after 48 years. She was one of those grandma’s who was full of love and a supurb quilter. I still love my gift and smile everytime I pull them out to hold.
Janet on 13 Mar 2011 at 3:11 pm #
What a wonderful trip and museum! Thanks so much for telling us about it and for the colourful photos. I am a beginner at quilting and would very much appreciate the mini-quilt kit to help me on my way in quilting.
Kansas & Kentucky // rachel & the city on 14 Mar 2011 at 8:55 am #
[...] museum with amazing contemporary quilts on display. You can read more about my experience on the Swap-bot blog. I strongly recommend visiting it if you have the chance, especially if you are interested in any [...]
Kris on 14 Mar 2011 at 8:57 am #
Quilting was actually one of the first sewing crafts! I made a quilt for my friend’s baby … and a matching quilt for her little girl so she could use it with her baby dolls!
I loved this article….Thanks for bringing us all closer together through crafting!
(YarnOvers on S-B)
Monika Rattu on 14 Mar 2011 at 1:37 pm #
This is awesome! My first special quilt was made for me by my boyfriends mom across the pond in the US! She made it with some of my favourite colours being pink and black. It arrived at my house one day in a huge huge hugeeee box. I loved it, so soft and colourful and special. I would like to learn to make one and make one for her one day.
theanswerisseven on 15 Mar 2011 at 4:55 am #
I am theanswerisseven on Swap Bot!
A great friend of my grandma crocheted me a beautiful square pram quilt when I was little. When I came home from uni recently, I re-discovered it. Now, with thrifted pillow on hand, it will soon be re-born into one side of a cushion cover. I love how precious hand-crafted items are compared to the disposable items in huge shops.
Artistic on 15 Mar 2011 at 9:02 am #
I’ve been a quilter since 1999. I primarily do wallhangings and other small work (lap quilts being about the biggest so far) that I give away as gifts.
Thanks for posting your visit to the museum, Rachel!
Felicia (Artistic)
wunderland on 15 Mar 2011 at 9:43 am #
I have never quilted, but it’s a skill that I added to my “bucket list” when my Aunt Jessie showed me her denim quilts that she made from recycled jeans. It’s an atypical style, but it’s gorgeous and helped me to appreciate quilting as a whole. I hope that by the time I have grandchildren in my life that I’ll be able to present them with such a lovely handmade gift from “grandma”
starrgazer on 15 Mar 2011 at 11:51 am #
My mom started a pink quilt for me when I was a child, it never did get finished. I may try to complete it, but my sewing skills are lacking.
joppagirl on 15 Mar 2011 at 12:57 pm #
My mom made a Dutch Girl quilt for me when I was a baby. I still have it and it means alot to me. My mom knows how to quilt and learning is on my list of things to do soon. I think its a great art that is going to slowly die out if the younger generations don’t learn the art and pass it on to the next generation.
siobhan on 15 Mar 2011 at 3:46 pm #
Hi! @Kiwivandal here, I LOVE quilting, I just made one for my daughter! I would love to win this cute kit, and who can’t use more Ernie
Stephanie (StephL) on 15 Mar 2011 at 8:06 pm #
My mom took up quilting when I was away at university, but she managed to keep it a complete secret until I was home for Christmas. She’d made a beautiful quilt for my husband and me for our first Christmas together. She died last spring, but her quilting friends have been so kind to invite me to their gatherings every month. Whenever I quilt, I feel connected to her.
Rachel H. on 16 Mar 2011 at 6:33 am #
I’m mamamonkey. I love quilting! I made my first quilt when I was 7 months pregnant with our first child. It was fun and I was immediately hooked. I’ve made around 20 so far, most as gifts, and 3 for school fundraisers. I also have a quilt my great, great, great grandmother made and had on the wagon train! It’s not in very good shape but I still love it
TrinitySF on 17 Mar 2011 at 12:18 am #
I love quilting together with my sister-in-law. It’s a great fun for us on weekends. Winning this package would be very nice and give us some fun hours.
TrinitySF on swapbot.
JBolech on 17 Mar 2011 at 12:38 pm #
I would love to be a quilter! I was very briefly in a sewing/quilting group at my church that made very simple lap quilts to donate, however it broke up soon after I joined – bummer! While I don’t have any specific quilting memories of my own, my husband tells me that he often would go over to his grandma’s house and entire rooms would be taken up by quilts that were ready to be assembled – a memory that has really stuck with him! I wish I could have gotten a chance to know her
JBolech
Lhise on 17 Mar 2011 at 2:58 pm #
Hello!
I’m French and I love quilting since 2008.
I have not made any real big quilts.
But this year I decided to participate in a free BOM (block of the month) proposed by American designer (Anne Sutton – Bunny Hill Designs). Each month I look forward to discovering the new block! If I stay motivated until the end of the year, I have a large and beautiful quilt!
I loved this article!! Thank you very much!
)
Ulrica on 17 Mar 2011 at 5:20 pm #
I’ve been quilting since I was 10. I started a hexagon scrap quilt, each hexagon about 2½ inches, my goal was to have a queen size bedspread by the time I got married
My grammie had a lot of fabric scraps and swats from the 40′s-60′s that she let me use.
I mixed materials, lace and velvet, woven and knit, plain and sparkly ( I didn’t know better at the time…). As I grew older I used more cotton prints.
Now I’m 33, the quilt is still in progress, and I haven’t married yet
Ulrica, swapbot: gewalli
Michele De La Cruz on 17 Mar 2011 at 6:54 pm #
I have not ever been to a quilt museum, but I am inspired by the techniques used back then to tell their stories. I taught myself to quilt years ago when my kids were little and I would make their clothes and use the scraps to make a small quilt. It caught on with my family and before you know it they were asking “Auntie Michael will you make me a quilt?” I did.
Bastet59/Anita on 17 Mar 2011 at 10:11 pm #
Hi Rachel! I think this is a great idea to share our quilting experiences. Although I am not an avid quilter, I have a stash of fabric. I use it for all kinds of projects. I love quilts and when the mood strikes me and I see something I want to make for myself or others I do it. Right now I have 3 quilts pending;1 for my younger son,1 for my mom, and one “I-Spy” quilt for any future grand-kids I might have….(planning ahead, just in-case)
I have never been to the National Quilt Museum, but what a treat it would be to visit.
I am spoiled in the fact I have access (every year) to the International Quilt Festival in Houston. I LOVE ALL of it, the Quilts, dolls, clothing, sales booths,demos, etc. I have also frequent the local museums and there are usually some kind of quilts, clothing, etc. The biggest quilt show was that of the Quilts of Gee’s Bend…which originated at The Museum of Fine Art in Houston. My son was lucky enough to participate in a children’s library program that Summer that not only taught him about the history of Quilts but also provided a free trip and tour to see the Quilts of Gee’s Bend. He became quite fascinated w/the log-cabin pattern. He also had a 4th grade teacher who brought a family quilt for show-n-tell that is so old and full of history it is of museum quality….it is only shown once a yr….due to its age…and its passed down to the oldest daughter…if the family only has sons…it’s passed down to the 1st granddaughter. It has been in her family for 5 generations.My son was quite intrigued with all the history the quilt contained including the how many states the quilt had “lived” in.
My Mother was taught to quilt by two aunts and by the time she was five…she would gather scraps,cut pieces, and sew for them.She made a number of quilts while still in grade school. She made several quilts for us which she still has.
I helped my oldest son make lap quilts for his paternal grandparents when he was 5 and 7 yrs old. I got him fabric markers and let him create his own designs. I hand-stitched around the “details” but machine stitched the squares and bindings.
But my favorite quilt experience was participating in the Susan G Komen Quilts for Awareness…I believe it was called…it was so long ago…but you had to make a 12 inch square ,if I remember correctly,…sender’s choice. The squares were mailed in and stitched into large quilts that would 1st be put on display and then auctioned to raise money for cancer research. I decided to paint Precious Moments characters that “profile” matched the ladies I knew who had lost their battle with Cancer. One of the ladies was married to a close friend of my husband’s so I made a matching pillow for their daughter for Christmas with a note explaining that the same design was being used to help raise funds for research. When the present was opened they immediately called. Both husband and daughter were ecstatic and crying at the same time while trying to thank us for doing this for them. It was one of the Best Christmas ever!
quilterjean on 18 Mar 2011 at 5:18 am #
I love the stained glass quilts pictured above and the way they have them displayed. To be able to show the quilt from both side and see through it so to speak would be wonderful, especially with the stained glass type quilt.
I enjoy quilting and going to quilt shows. When I attend quilt shows I like to get a peek at the back of the quilts. Some are very plain but others are beautiful either by the fabrics used or the quilting. It’s a great surprise sometimes to see what the quilter has chosen to add to the back of the quilt or the quilt label.
Sharon on 18 Mar 2011 at 2:30 pm #
What a wonderful museum! I am a new quilter, my craft group are currently making a quilt for the 2012 Olympics. Each country participating in the Olympics or Paralympics in London 2012 will recieve a quilt made by a quilter or group of quilters in the UK.
Lexidh on 18 Mar 2011 at 3:40 pm #
Norway has absolutely no tradition for quilts, but it popped up a few years ago from nowhere, and now you can get fabric everywhere it seems. I have no special memory, but I just bought some fabric I would love to find the time and energy to make an untraditional quilt with, combining it with more traditional stitching from Norway.
Robin on 18 Mar 2011 at 4:57 pm #
I love quilts. I remember my grandmother had several quilts, so whenever I see one it reminds me of her. I have tried quilting, made a couple of small ones.
roblynwin on swap-bot
mindy on 18 Mar 2011 at 8:35 pm #
I love quilts and quilting. My most recent quilt playtime has been making coffee cup jackets from all those tiny scraps I’ve been keeping.
mindy on swap-bot
Dorothy Irwin on 18 Mar 2011 at 10:11 pm #
I made my first quilt for my beautiful grandsom. He was born 1/31/11 and is so special!!
djmom11