Ask Alex: Quilt Oral History

Quilting expert Alex Anderson gives this advice for preserving the oral history of quilts.

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Filed under: Quilting, Sewing

Ask yourself these 10 questions about your quilts:

1. Where did you live and what was the make-up of the family when you made the quilt?

2. What was the date the quilt was started and when it was completed?

3. What was the source of supplies for patterns, fabric, thread, batting and quilting design?

4. How and why did you choose the quilt block pattern and the quilting design?

5. Did you quilt alone or with others? If with others, name them.

6. What was your inspiration for the quilt?

7. Was this quilt to be used as a regular bedcover or as a "best" quilt for a bedspread in a guest room, or was it made for a special occasion or a special person?

8. Who will inherit the quilt?

9. How did you find time to work on the quilt—how often did you quilt and if daily, how many hours a day?

10. Were you pleased with the quilt when it was completed?

Sources:
Lenor Dean, Chair – Folsom Historical Museum Antique Quilt Show
Caroline Lieberman – Quilt Instructor
Hellen Shaw Powell – Project Coordinator California Sesquicentennial Quilt