Availability:
I am now booking weekday in-person lectures that are within an easy driving distance of Bowling Green, OH (2-3 hours). For guilds that are further away I can book Friday evening or weekend lectures/classes and am also available for digital lectures to your group or guild.
Pricing:
In-person lectures are $500 plus travel fees.
Digital lectures are $400 and there are no travel fees.
I ask for a $100 deposit to secure your group's date.
I am also happy to work with you if you want to partner with other groups to share the fee cost.
Resources for Digital Lecutres:
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!
Contact Me:
Please contact me to learn more.
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Lecture 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 2023 Teaching and Lecture Schedule
Nov. 28 23 - Lecture - West Central Ohio Quilt Guild, Lima, OH - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt