Interview with Sarajane Cohron Goodwin, August 23, 2005

Partial Transcript: What made you choose this in particular?

Segment Synopsis: Sarajane Goodwin says she created the quilt brought to the interview as a way of keeping her memories intact. She says most of the work she creates is by machine, with very little done by hand. She describes the quilt she brought, which features a Model T Ford, the first car she learned how to drive. The quilt also displays a Mississippi steamboat, a Bible, and a house.

Keywords: Bible; Cars; Machine quilting; Mississippi steamboats; Model Ts; Quilters; Quilts; Steamboats; Ford

Partial Transcript: Tell us your earliest contact or memories with quilts or quilters?

Segment Synopsis: Goodwin says she was always around her mother and church ladies who quilted, though they did not let her quilt as a child. When Goodwin retired in 1987, there was a quilting class offered where she began her quilting. She mentions that she also took a dress-making class in school.

Keywords: Church ladies; Dress-making; Dressmaking; Quilters; Quilting classes; Quilts; Sewing; Fabric

Partial Transcript: Um, what are your most favorite aspects of quilt making?

Segment Synopsis: Goodwin discusses what she thinks are the best parts of quilt making. She says her quilting is monochromatic, and is more contemporary than traditional. Goodwin discusses her love of going to where quilts are, such as quilt shows. She says she likes to keep most of her own quilts.

Keywords: Contemporary quilts; Monochromatic; Quilt shows; Quilters; Traditional quilts; Quilts

Partial Transcript: How does quilting impact your family?

Segment Synopsis: Goodwin says her daughter enjoys quilting, but has taken different approaches like Gothic or Egyptian patterns. She says her daughter also enters shows and loves fabrics. The Wellness Group is a Washington Seniors group where Goodwin teaches, and she joined after she retired. She mentions that scrapbooking is now part of her creative process. Goodwin also mentions that she worked for the census bureau where she was a printing specialist before her retirement.

Keywords: Census bureaus; Egyptian patterns; Fabric; Gothic patterns; Printing specialists; Quilt groups; Quilters; Quilts; Scrapbooks; The Wellness Group; Washington Seniors; Government jobs

Partial Transcript: Do you have, um, advice for new quilters?

Segment Synopsis: Goodwin says most of her quilters want to do big work when they come in, but she thinks it is better to start small. She mentions that Quilting in American Women has helped a woman she knows when applying for a job, and that quilting as a hobby helped her get ahead of other candidates. Goodwin says young people should keep quilting, and older people should do it to keep their minds busy.

Keywords: Hobbies; Quilters; Quilting in American Women; Quilting in Women's History; Recreation; Quilts