by Quilt Alliance | Apr 9, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for April 9. On this day in 1959, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) introduced the first U.S. astronauts to the press. The “Mercury Seven,” were all military test pilots chosen from an elite group of 32 candidates. Marjorie Elrod of Winnsboro, Louisiana made this autograph quilt in 1976 to commemorate the American Bicentennial. Signatures include U.S. presidents, religious leaders, entertainers and “3 astronauts, 1st in Space, 1st to Walk, 1st in Orbit.” Elrod documented the quilt in 2002 as part of the Louisiana Quilt Documentation Project. View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-astronauts-introduced Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Apr 8, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for April 8. On this day in 563 B.C., Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born as Prince Siddhartha in the kingdom of Sakyas, situated on the borders of present-day Nepal and India. Buddha left a life of great luxury to travel the world and seek inspiration and understanding. He became a Buddha, or supremely enlightened teacher, at age 35 and died at age 80, leaving a community of monks to carry on his work. Today there are an estimated 350 million Buddhists in the world. Patricia Healey of Poughkeepsie, New York made this 16” x 16” quilt, titled “We Are One” in 2011 for the Quilt Alliance annual contest. Healey wrote this in her artist’s statement: “The traditional Dresden Plate pattern forms a healing mandala. The background fabric reminds me of a Hindu woman’s sari and the gold of Buddhist temples. Gold sparkles throughout the quilt as a reminder of divinity in all its forms. The top border is embellished with charms, amulets and symbols of diverse religious philosophies. When not quilting, I teach Major World Religions at Dutchess Community College.” View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/buddhists-celebrate-birth-of-gautama-buddha Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Apr 5, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for April 5. On this day in 1908, American actress Ruth Elizabeth “Bette” Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. After her parents divorced, Bette moved to New York City with her mother and sister, where Bette studied acting and dance (with Martha Graham). In 1930, she traveled by train from New York to Hollywood. She failed early screen tests, but finally made her screen debut with the help of a cinematographer who said she had “lovely eyes.” Davis is famous for her willingness and talent at playing unsympathetic characters. Portuguese immigrant Theresa Oliver Mello of Lowell, Massachusetts made this Z-Lightning quilt around 1910. The quilt is part of the New England Quilt Museum’s permanent collection. There are two other quilts by Mello documented by NEQM in the Quilt Index. View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/bette_davis.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Davis Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Apr 4, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for April 4. On this day in 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. The 39-year-old civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers’ strike and was on his way to dinner. Beverly Ann White of Pontiac, Michigan finished this pictorial quilt, titled “View from the Mountain Top” in July 1991. Included in this Quilt Index record is a quote by the artist: “The dedication on this quilt was made to slain civil rights workers [including King] which I describe as warriors for the cause of freedom and equality. I cannot chronicle the brave and valiant fight of each and every one of the honorable souls who have fought for the rights of African-Americans throughout the history of the United States; I can, however, attempt to show several of those heroes who have impressed me.” This quilt is in the Michigan State University Museum collection. View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dr-king-is-assassinated Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Apr 3, 2013 | Go Tell It at the Quilt Show!, QuiltCon
Go Tell It at the Quilt Show! Findlay Wolfe, Gering and Knauer Interviews Seven new interviews for the Go Tell It at the Quilt Show! project were conducted at QuiltCon in Austin, Texas, February 21-24. Go Tell It! is a new Quilt Alliance project designed to capture the stories of quilts where quiltmakers and quilt lovers gather. The protocol for Go Tell It! is brief and personal: one person talking about one quilt in front of one video camera for three minutes, recording the most essential and compelling details of the quilt according to the “teller.” We were so proud to document and preserve stories from Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Jacquie Gering and Thomas Knauer at the first-ever QuiltCon. Read the full press release here. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CptX_VWHezc] QuiltCon Best in Show winner Victoria Findlay Wolfe (New York, New York) talks about her quilt Double Edged LOVE. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAl8pnVENwQ]Jacquie Gering (Chicago, Illinois) tells the story of her quilt, Bang You’re Dead. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtTF0FDHyc4]Thomas Knauer (Utica, New York) tells about his quilt, In Defense of Handmade. Let us know what you think about this new project. Leave comments here, on our Youtube channel or Facebook page. Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
