Have We Forgotten to NEVER FORGET?

Kara and I (Teri) are having an amazing time at Baltimore on the Prairie—teaching, catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones. We will fill you in on our event next week. 

This week, as we near the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, I would like to share with you a current exhibit at the National Quilt Museum—NEVER FORGET: Quilts from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. My husband and I stopped to visit the museum on our road trip to Nebraska, and we found this particular exhibit both beautiful and gut-wrenching. I confess that it kept me awake much of that night as I reflected on the meaningful quilts we saw, as well as all what they represented.

So many people worked together to honor those who died, who responded, who served. Not only do the quilts show that we can work together to create stunningly meaningful works of art, but that we can also work together in times of crisis. The symbolism in these quilts sings of a spirit of support and caring. We vowed to never forget. 

Here are a few highlights from our visit. Take the time to read the descriptions; you might be amazed at the details you miss when you first look at the quilts. 

The National Tribute Quilt spanned an entire wall, telling the incredible story of that day, with over 3500 squares contributed from people from all 50 states and 5 countries.

It was not possible to get a full face-on shot of this quilt in its entirety, but hopefully you can appreciate the magnitude of the work seeing it in sections.

  

The detail of the symbolism in this last piece was incredibly moving to me. More beautiful than the work itself is the thought that was put into creating it and the statement that it makes about that day. 

Sometimes, when I listen to the news today, I wonder what happened to all of the "working together" that we were able to do twenty years ago following that awful day. We honored more than we criticized. Have we forgotten? 

For more information about the exhibit, click here.

Teri's Travels: White Bluffs Quilt Museum

If you follow our blog, you know that I (Teri) have been sharing some of our quilty stops during our cross-country road trip in July. Often, when I travel with my husband, we make a deal: I go to a quilt shop and he gets to pick a BBQ restaurant. (It's a win-win for me!) One day, I scored a visit to a quilt museum as we drove through Washington state. What a fun stop that was! When I arrived at the White Bluffs Quilt Museum in Richland, Washington, I was greeted by Marlene Martin, who began showing me around. Before long, Jenny Treadway, the director, arrived to prepare to teach a class of children to make a quilt. I wandered while they worked, chatting with them and learning about their organization.

Marlene and Jenny

Jenny took the time to explain that the museum is a repository for the National Quilt Index; it is a location for documenting and photographing quilts and recording their history. This is a vital way to preserve and promote the art of quilting. White Bluffs Quilt Museum was founded in 2007—"Preserving and Teaching the Textile Arts." Indeed, Jenny told me that her focus is on teaching. She said that some of the kids that take classes there have been with them for years. It was clear as I was talking with these ladies that they could easily garner a following as they shared their passion for the needle crafts. 

The class they were preparing was to introduce children to machine sewing. Each child would get a packet with everything they would need, and at the end of the class, they each would receive a bag of fabric, so they could start a stash. Most of the kids who were coming had parents who didn't sew, so this way they would have some fabric to use to keep them sewing. What a brilliant idea!

Jenny said that the children must be at least eight years old to take the classes; they found that six is a bit too young. They have enough adults volunteering during the classes to have a ratio of 2 children to 1 adult, and all the kids use the same machine. Jenny stated that they enjoy teaching the kids. I'm sure that the kids enjoyed her class as well!

 

Exhibits of quilts and textile arts rotate on a regular basis. I saw a wide variety of needle artifacts, as well as many tools on display during my visit. Both of the above coverlets were made in 1846 by an itinerant weaver, who had a loom on the back of a wagon.

The handmade, silk, hooked rugs on the left date to the early 19th century.

 

Weaving skills are among the classes taught here.

 A display of spindles and other spinning tools 

Crazy quilt

Racks of quilts are available for purchase.

The library has over 1000 books about textile arts.

The large loom on the left is on the national registry. Jenny teaches weaving, and members are invited to use the on-site equipment, including the looms, spinning wheels, and sewing machines. 

Marlene explained that they get ends from the Pendleton looms to make rugs.

If I didn't live 3000 miles away, I might be tempted to add weaving to my skill set!

Items made by members were available for sale.

If you live near Richland, Washington, you might want to check out their Fiber Fest on October 18-19, with demonstrations, classes, and exhibits.

I so appreciated the time Marlene and Jenny spent chatting with me about this wonderful organization, especially as they were busy preparing for their class of kids. If those children feel their passion and caring as much as I did, we can be assured that we will have a whole new generation of quilters coming out of Washington!

Thank you, Jenny and Marlene, for sharing your love of needle arts with those in your community! I am honored to have had the opportunity to visit you and learn about all that you are doing to promote the textile and fiber arts.

What about you, Friends? Do you have a needle artists' resource near you? Please share in the comments below, so that we can all benefit from those places we may not know exist!

Teri's Travels: The Quilters Hall of Fame

I (Teri) am on the road this month, traveling across the United States with my husband. We will be gone for a month, and thus far have followed the Lewis and Clark Trail (sort of), reaching the Pacific yesterday. Of course, like any avid quilter, a few quilt stops have been planned into our trip. The first was in Marion, Indiana. Yes, we were a couple of weeks too early for Celebration 2019, and the induction of Marianne Fons, Liz Porter, and Mary A. McElwain. But at least I got to explore the museum, housed in the historic Webster House, once the home of Marie Webster. And we had the place pretty much to ourselves!

We entered from the back, through the stunning gardens.

The current exhibit (through July 27) is "Two of Us," which features quilts by sisters, Pat Holly and Sue Nickels. This was in the front parlor, welcoming us.

 You can see that we arrived shortly after they opened, at ten.

Also in the front hallway. Their vibrant use of color is breathtaking!

 A wall filled with some impressive quilt talent!

Perhaps you know someone who would be worthy of a nomination.

    

The front room featured several pieces of work from members of the Hall of Fame.

Upstairs were more quilts by the "Two of Us." Here are a few for you to enjoy.

After  enjoying the "Two of Us" exhibit, I explored Marie Webster's studio.

 Some of Marie Webster's designs, in progress

Marie used this room as on office, a sewing room, and a showroom. From 1911 to 1942, she sold patterns for her designs from her home.

 A fascinating exhibit showing how Webster created her designs. 

      

One of the rooms upstairs is set up for visitors to create a block for Quilts of Valor quilts. There are two machines available for use. I was a little sad that my husband was itching to get on the road, as I would have loved to stitch on this old treadle machine.

The gift shop includes many items made by a local quilt guild, to benefit the museum. I bought a thread catcher for use in the car. Because sometimes a girl just has to stitch.

 The historic Marie Webster House

     

How fitting that a quilt museum would have such a lovely garden! I always associate quilts with flowers—the colors, designs, textures—they just go together in my mind. And this garden is quiltworthy. Like Marie Webster, we derive much of our inspiration from gardens.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to tour The Quilters Hall of Fame, and I hope it won't be my last time. If you ever have the chance to visit, you won't be sorry! And though I won't be there to share the celebration, a well-deserved congratulations to Fons and Porter!

Stay tuned for more of my quilty stops along my journey. Where did I travel next?