COVID-19 UPDATE: I am available for digital lectures to your group or guild! I am not currently booking in person lectures.
If you are now meeting digitally (as my own guild is doing) I am happy to work with you to provide either of my lectures remotely. This saves you travel costs and also lets you provide your regular programming. Need help figuring out how to get your guild set up on Zoom? Check out these awesome resources on getting Zoom ready from The Quilter's Calendar!
You can also download my tips sheet for Zoom hosts that I share with guilds to help make digital presentations run smoothly.
I'm also happy to work with international groups to book a digital lecture. Please reach out and we can discuss dates and times that might work for your group!
Please contact me to learn more.
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I give illustrated talks on the following topics:
The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
What are the roots of the American patchwork quilt? Which design elements are uniquely American and which were inherited from European colonists? This illustrated lecture explores British and Dutch patchwork from the eighteenth century to identify patterns and motifs used by colonial and early-American quilters. We then examine how early Americans adapted the layout of their quilts, moving from a predominantly medallion-style arrangement to the repeating block-style that is thought of as iconically American today. By looking at a wealth of examples of historical patchwork and quilts, attendees will learn the timeline for sub-styles and shifts in design and the cultural changes that might have influenced these shifts in layout and style. Participants will come away with a clear understanding of colonial and early American patchwork styles and lots of inspiration to use in their own artwork today.
What’s in a Name? Documenting Quilts of Yesterday and Today
After decades of studying quilt history, I have encountered many challenges in trying to track down the stories and histories of particular pieces. By sharing some of the quilt history mysteries that I have unraveled (or failed to unravel), this talk highlights the kinds of information that is helpful to include when you are labeling your quilts. The lecture ends with practical considerations for today's quilters: What tools are available to help you label your quilts and how do you use them? What level of information constitutes the bare minimum to put on a label and what is the ideal? And why does it all matter anyway?
Testimonials
"Janice presented a most informative and interesting program for our guild on 'The History of the American Block-Style Quilt.' She is quite knowledgeable and has the ability to share her information so that it is easily understood. It was interesting to see the evolution of the quilt design.... A different and interesting way to look at quilts in the future."
- Janet W., Starlight Quilters Guild, Overland Park, KS
"Janice gave us a glimpse of her wonderful investigation of quilts over 20 years and her enthusiasm for her studies. We learnt about the changes of quilt style which reflected the history of her own country from pioneers going west to the more settled communities. The quilts were based on the European designs, but then altered as the lives of those in a new country developed."
- Sue W., The Quilters' Guild of the United Kingdom, Regional Group
My 2021 Teaching and Lecture Schedule
March 1 - ZOOM Lecture - Almond Country Quilt Guild, Templeton, CA - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
March 22 - ZOOM Lecture - East Iowa Heirloom Quilters, Marion, IA - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
July 20 - ZOOM Lecture - Scrapbasket Quilt Guild, Avon, IN - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
Aug. 23 - Lecture - Remembrance Quilt Guild, Springfield, OH - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
Sept. 14 - ZOOM Lecture - Antietam Quilt Guild , Hagerstown, MD - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
My 2020 Teaching and Lecture Schedule
Jan. 7 - Bloomington Quilter's Guild, Bloomington, IN - Importance of Quilt Labels
Feb. 19 & 26 - Tailored Fit, Bloomington, IN - Quilting 102: Make a Modern Wall Hanging Class
Aug. 25 - ZOOM Lecture - Starlight Quilters Guild, Overland Park, KS - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
Sept. 26 - ZOOM Lecture - The Quilters' Guild of the United Kingdom, Regional Group - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt