Interview with Lynne Edwards, November 2, 2001

Partial Transcript: Um, just so that our transcriber can get everything correct, would you spell your name Lynne?

Segment Synopsis: Lynne Edwards is introduced. She describes how she first learned to create cathedral window quilts under the tutelage of an embroiderer. She talks about her attitude about art quilts versus utilitarian quilts when she first began and how that attitude changed over time.

Keywords: Adventurous; Art quilts; Attitudes; Bed quilts; Cathedral window (quilt pattern); Domestic; Embroiderers; Fabric; Mentors; Mindset; Precious; Quilt purpose - Bedcovering; Quilt purpose - Home decoration; Quilt purpose - Utilitarian; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Small quilts; Teachers; Wall quilts

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Um, because the tape can't see this, let--why, why don't we d--with words, describe this quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Edwards describes the quilt she brought for the interview, which is an example of the cathedral window style. She talks about how she "broke the rules" of the traditional style. She talks about the use of silk as a fabric in this quilt and others she has made.

Keywords: 1980s; Breaking rules; Cathedral window (quilt pattern); Color; Design process; Designs; Difficult; Expensive; Fabrics; Fiber - Silk; Quilt preservation; Secret garden (quilt pattern); Silk quilts; Small quilts; Traditional quilts; Traditions; Types; Use; Variety; Wall quilts

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And because you teach it now, it also changed your life in some ways.

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about the classes she teaches and the books she has written. She talks more about "breaking the rules" of traditional styles, as well as the importance of learning the basic skills and techniques before breaking the rules.

Keywords: America; Attitudes; Awareness; Basics; Books; Breaking rules; Cathedral window (quilt pattern); Color; Designs; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Quiltmaking classes; Skills; Teaching quiltmaking; Techniques; Textile artists; Traditions

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And you mentioned that you had been a stitcher before and you did patchwork before--

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about her introduction to sewing in the 1960s, beginning to sew her own clothing. She talks about the first quilt she made, in the 1970s. She talks about visiting a museum in America and being inspired by the American quilts there.

Keywords: 1962; 1970s; Academic; American quilts; Brown; Clothes; Dresses; England; English patchwork; First quilt; Grandmothers; Hexagons; Influences; Inspiration; Mothers; Sewing; Stitching

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Uh, have quilts ever helped you get through particularly important times of your life?

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about the use of quilting to survive through difficult times, as well as the counseling and support among the members of quilting groups.

Keywords: Advice; Bad times; Colleagues; Counseling; Crises; Crisis; Difficult times; Eye contact; Hand work; Husbands; Important; Quilting community; Quiltmaking classes; Sharing; Social aspects; Students; Support

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And, and, as a reflection, you mentioned that when you went to the American museum...

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about the differences between the role of quilting in American history versus English history. She talks about how quilting was an important part of American history but is rarely documented or referenced in works of the time.

Keywords: "Grapes of Wrath"; Americans; Awareness; Colleges; Dust Bowl; England; Folk music; Gender roles; Grapes of Wrath (Book); John Steinbeck; Leisure activities; Middle class; Recent; Records; Research; Sampler quilts; Samplers; Women's history; Women's roles

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And that kind of leads into one of the other areas that we like to cover in terms of keeping quilts.

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about the criteria for a museum-quality quilt versus an art gallery-quality quilt. She talks about how criteria for judging quilt shows can be a negative influence on quilters.

Keywords: Art galleries; Best; Checklists; Colors; Contrived; Criteria; Designs; England; Great quilts; Historical significance; Judges; Judging; Museums; National Quilt Museum (Paducah, Ky.); Quality; Quilt preservation; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Roles; Social significance; Society; Technical; Winners

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Of the quilts that you have made, have some of them gone to other people as gifts?

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks about selling quilts for money at the beginning of her career. She talks about why she no longer sells her quilts, but only gives them as gifts to people she knows will appreciate them. She talks about her beliefs on the kinds of expectations quilters should have about the preservation of their quilts when giving them as gifts.

Keywords: Colors; Commissions; Expectations; Family; Friends; Heirlooms; Instructions; Love; Money; No strings attached; Quantifying; Quilt purpose - Exhibition; Quilt purpose - Gift or presentation; Quilt purpose - Heirloom; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Quilts as gifts; Responsibility; Scrap quilts; Selling; Sons; Suffolk Craft Society; Uses; Value; Wall hangings; Wall quilts

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: I don't want to monopolize too much of your time.

Segment Synopsis: Edwards talks more about the cathedral window style of quilt and the variations she has made on it. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Backing; Cathedral window (quilt pattern); Fabrics; Frames; Future plans; Muslin; Scrap quilts; Scraps; Strategies; Techniques; Traditions; Variations

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles