COVID-19 UPDATE: I am available for digital lectures to your group or guild! 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.
I am offering a discounted speaking fee for any guilds that book me for a digital lecture for Summer 2020. Please contact me to learn more.
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When it is safe to do so, I'll again be available to come speak to your group in person and also offer classes that compliment my lectures. Please contact me to learn about my rates and availability! I'm happy to work with guilds who want to share travel costs in order to bring me to your area for lectures and classes.
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?
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. 24 - Remembrance Quilt Guild, Springfield, OH - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt
My 2021 Teaching and Lecture Schedule
July 20 - Scrapbasket Quilt Guild, Avon, IN - The History of the American Block-Style Quilt