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Amanda Leins Eggs and Darts
October 26, 2015 Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Amanda Leins
Thomas Eakins portrait quilt (detail)
August 3, 2015 Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Jack Edson
Quilt Alliance
July 2, 2015 Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Marsha MacDowell
Penny Gold - Regret
June 1, 2015 Why Quilts Matter
Question & Answer with Penny Gold, Part 2
Penny Gold - Loss (fragment)
May 19, 2015 Why Quilts Matter –
Question and Answer with Penny Gold, Part 1
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Sue Benner - Trellis No. 8: Famouse and not So Famous Flowers
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on December 9, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Sue Benner

More recently, the methods of interpreting and designing quilts have taken a decidedly scientific turn. Chemistry comes in to play with encaustic surface design and fabric dying. We discussed more of those scientific influences with quilt artist and teacher Sue Benner, who also happens to be a molecular biologist!

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Why Quilts Matter - 2013 Holidays Offer
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on November 18, 2013 in Offers

Special Holiday Offer for All Friends
of Why Quilts Matter

Three lucky buyers will receive one of the following exciting gifts*: “Fresh Fabric Treats: 16 Yummy Projects to Sew” by Moda Bake Shop Designers (autographed) from Joan Ciolino Creative Bundle from Carol Anne Waugh (Sulky Thread assortment, two colored twists – yarn and ribbons, Patchwork Quilt Design & Coloring Book by Judith LaBelle) “Why Quilts […]

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Helios - by Joan Schulze
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on November 18, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Joan Schulze

Next up in our series of Q and A from the Why Quilts Matter Discussion Guide is artist Joan Schulze. Widely recognized on the national and international scene as a teacher and lecturer, Joan is a technique pioneer who decades ago began to experiment with fabric dyeing, painting and using Xerox transfer on her fabric. […]

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Swine Flu Garden - by Carol Ann Waugh
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on October 29, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Carol Ann Waugh

Some of the more popular and contentious questions from the Why Quilts Matter Discussion Guide have to do with the use of digital technology and machine quilting. Should those quilts be judged separately or differently in competitions? Have the new technologies helped or harmed the craft? Who better to give us a long-range look at the impact of technology on quilting than thirty-year fiber artist, published author, teacher and lecturer Carol Ann Waugh. Carol uses a wide variety of techniques in her work and shares her views on the subject.

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Why Quilts Matter - Pin It to Win It
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on October 15, 2013 in Contest | News

Pin It to Win It

The contest is over.  And the winner is… Patricia P. from Barre, VT. Congratulations, Patricia! Now through the end of October, 2013 – take part in the Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics Pinterest contest for a chance at a free copy of the series DVD set. Simply follow us on Pinterest and pin […]

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Bill Volckening - Quilt Blocks
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on October 15, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question & Answer with Bill Volckening

Regular readers of the Why Quilts Matter blog will already be familiar with recurring contributor, Bill Volckening. His background as a student of the Rhode Island School of Design, School of Visual Arts, New York University, and the International Center of Photography all worked together to create the foundation for a Bill’s appreciation of quilts. He humorously refers to himself as a “quilt magnet”! Bill has been collecting, studying and appraising quilts for more than twenty years. When responding to an earlier Q&A with Kate Spain, Bill expressed a wish for continuing the conversation on how technology has impacted the world of quilts. We wasted no time sitting down with him to discuss that very subject.

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Refuge 3, by Valerie White
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on September 30, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question and Answer with with Valerie White

Freshly inspired from her recent trip to Italy, Valerie White joins us to continue the conversation about Why Quilts Matter. Prior to becoming a full time artist, Valerie took her Howard University degree in general art and ceramics and spent over 20 years working as an art educator, retiring from the District of Columbia Public Schools in 1999.

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Nereids - by Mary Pal
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on September 16, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with...

Why Quilts Matter –
Question and Answer with Mary Pal

Just back from teaching at the Birmingham Festival of Quilts is Canadian studio art quilter, Mary Pal. Even without knowing her name you are probably familiar with Mary’s distinctive cheesecloth portraiture, a technique she lectures on and shares with fortunate art quilters across Ontario, Canada.

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Why Quilts Matter is now on Amazon Instant Video
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on September 9, 2013 in Announcements | News | Video

Watch Out World, We’re Streaming on Amazon!

Rent it. Own it. Buy one episode at a time.   Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics is now available on Amazon streaming so you can watch right from your tablet or phone! We’ve rolled out the first four episodes to get you started, each approximately 26 minutes in length. Start off with a […]

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Thomas Knauer - Savanna Bop Fabric
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on September 3, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with... | Opinions

Why Quilts Matter – Question and Answer with Thomas Knauer, Part 2

Part two of our Q&A series with fabric designer and quilt activist Thomas Knauer continues with an exploration of handwork vs. machine work and just how a quilt arrives at the place where it is considered “museum worthy.”  Part 1 of our dialog with Thomas was published on August 26, 2013, read it here. How […]

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by Why Quilts Matter Posted on August 27, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with... | Opinions

Why Quilts Matter – Question and Answer with Thomas Knauer, Part 1

For the next two weeks, the Why Quilts Matter Q&A series spotlight will shine on quilt aficionado and fabric designer Thomas Knauer. Thomas caught our eye earlier this year when he blogged about the importance of supporting those institutions that exist to record the history and work toward the preservation of quilts: “As much as […]

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Bill-Volckening-San-Jose-2013
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on August 13, 2013 in Announcements | News | Quilt Shows and Events

Celebrating the Success with Bill Volckening

When creating a large project like Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics, we relied heavily on the support of many people from those who provided photos for the series to those who generously gave financial support to get us up and running. We’d like to highlight one friend in particular, who continues to support […]

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Why Quilts Matter - Like Us on Facebook for Great Deals
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on August 12, 2013 in Announcements | Offers

Current Promotion for Our Facebook Fans

Receive free shipping on Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics DVD set: Visit our Facebook page, click on “Like,” and receive a promotion code for this offer!   * Note: Current promotion ends on 8/18/2013 at 11:59PM EST.

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Klee - Marsha McCloskey 1973 (detail)
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on July 24, 2013 in Guest Blogger Series | Opinions | Quilts

Quilts – Art or Not?

Episode #4 of Why Quilts Matter asks the question – “What is art?” How does the question relate to quilts? Are they purely functional objects? Are they works of art? Do they fall some place in between, and can the function evolve over time? Does a functional object become something else once it includes decoration, or as it ages? What role does context play?

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Emily Munroe Quilt
by Why Quilts Matter Posted on July 3, 2013 in Discussion Guide Q&A with... | Quilt Stories

Why Quilts Matter – Question and Answer with Lynne Bassett

“Since quilts were made—not by artisans—but by ordinary women whose lives they closely reflect, they are fonts of information about the people and periods they represent.” Why Quilts Matter: History, Art and Politics   Who better to talk about Episode 2: Quilts Bring History Alive and the great stories behind quilts than quilt historian and textile […]

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