Interview with Clinton Belcher, March 20, 2008

Partial Transcript: --fine. This is an interview for Alliance for American Quilts.

Segment Synopsis: Clinton Belcher describes the quilt he brought for the interview, describing it as an "Amish" quilt with many pretty colors. Belcher also recounts his introduction to quilting, stating that he started after an injury and that his mother had quilted all his life.

Keywords: Alliance for American Quilts; Amish quilts; Male quiltmakers; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quilting; Quiltmakers.; Quilts

Partial Transcript: About, um, how many hours a week do you get to quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Belcher says that he usually spends about thirty hours a week quilting and discusses using a quilting hoop. Belcher also recounts the various quilts he has given away as gifts, referencing quilts given to his children, family members, and people from his church.

Keywords: Baby quilts; Embroidery hoops; Gifting quilts; Hoop embroidery; Hoop quilting; Male quiltmakers; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quilting hoops; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Quilts a gifts; Wall quilts

Partial Transcript: What is your first quilt memory?

Segment Synopsis: Belcher recounts his first quilting memories, stating that his mother was always quilting during his youth. Belcher references taking care of his mother when she was sick and recounts her saying that Belcher was a better quilter than her. Belcher also describes trying to have his mother quilt with him, though she thought she would mess it up.

Keywords: Male quiltmakers; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Wall quilts

Partial Transcript: What do you find pleasing about quilting?

Segment Synopsis: Belcher says that he finds quilting relaxing and enjoyable to do, though he would have liked to learn how to do piecing. Belcher describes his quilting process, stating that his wife hems his quilts and he uses pins to attach the quilt's layers. Belcher also discusses his preference for colorful and psychedelic quilts.

Keywords: Colorful quilts; Male quiltmaker; Quilt design; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quilting technique; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Wall quilts

Partial Transcript: What do you think makes a great quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Belcher qualifies great quilts, describing them as having good design and short stitching. Belcher states that a quilt is artistically powerful if it is colorful and that a quilt's stitching and overall look determines its status in an art museum. Belcher also shares his preference for hand quilting, stating that machine quilting can "ruin" a quilt.

Keywords: Art museums; Colorful quilts; Hand quilts; Machine quilting--Patterns.; Machine quilting.; Machine quilts; Male quiltmakers; Needlework.; Piecing; Quilt designs; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quilting technique; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Sewing.; Stitches (Sewing)

Partial Transcript: Is, um, quilt making important to your life?

Segment Synopsis: Belcher discusses the importance of quilt making to his life, stating that, as a disabled man, it is his hobby and calms his nerves. Belcher says that he has never sold a quilt, and most of his quilts have been put in storage by his wife.

Keywords: Male quiltmakers; People with disabilities; Quilt importance; Quilt storage; Quilt usage; Quilted goods; Quilters; Quilting as a hobby; Quilting importance; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Quilts' importance; Quilts' usage