Interview with Alice Robinson, March 15, 2001

Partial Transcript: This is Kay Jones.

Segment Synopsis: Robinson took a class at Calico Cupboard, now called Quilter's Dream in Dallas, Texas, with her sister, which is where she started making the quilt she brought with her.

Keywords: Applique; Block of the month classes; Blocks; Calico Cupboard; Cathy Clarke; Dallas (Tex.); Housewives; Monthly classes; Quilter's Dream; Quilts; Trinity Valley

Subjects: Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: It is a themed quilt, so would you describe some of the blocks?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson's quilt is reflective of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and each block represents the gift that was given that day. Her technique was unique for the class in which she created the quilt.

Keywords: Applique; Beads; Blocks; Classes; Differences; Effects; Embellishments; Embroideries; Embroidery; Materials; Themed quilts; Twelve Days of Christmas; Uniqueness

Subjects: Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: How did you choose the fabrics?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson speaks on how she chose the materials for her quilt, many of which came from a kit provided by her teacher, while others came from her own personal collection.

Keywords: Fabrics; Materials; Quilting; Quilts; Uniqueness

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: --(clears throat)--Why did you choose to bring this quilt to the interview, Alice?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson used quilting as a therapeutic method during her time battling breast cancer. The quilt she brought with her was the one she worked on during her chemotherapy and during recovery.

Keywords: Backstories; Backstory; Breast cancers; Cancer-free lives; Chemotherapy; Christmas; Interviews; Medical problems; Medical therapies; Quilting; Radiation therapies; Radiations; Stitches; Surgeries; Surgery; Therapeutic activities; Therapies; Therapy; Wellness

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: When did you get interested in quilting, Alice?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson discusses her first quilting classes with Janet Mullins. She would leave work early to attend the classes with a friend.

Keywords: Churches; Janet Mullins; Quilt Box; Quilting; Quilting classes; Riverside Baptist Church; Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Well, I was going to ask if you sleep under quilts?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson discusses the uses of her quilts, which range from practical uses on beds to decorative uses.

Keywords: Beds; Daughters; Decorative quilts; Efforts; Fans; Gifts; Granddaughters; Pallets; Piecings; Practical quilts; Spokes

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: How many hours a week do you think you spend quilting?

Segment Synopsis: Though Robinson hasn't quilted, per se, in a long time, she does spend her time piecing together quilts at her husband's automobile mechanic shop for a few hours a day.

Keywords: Baby quilts; Husband; Piecing; Quilt-related activities; Quilts; Sewing machines; Time spent

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Sewing machines.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: What is your first quilt memory? When do you first remember a quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson recalls her first memory involving quilts, which was when she exposed a pregnant family friend to the measles after coming home from school to her mother's quilting group.

Keywords: Friends; Measles; Memories; Mothers; Pregnant women; Quilting; Quilting groups; Quilts; Tragedies

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Um, how does quilting impact your family?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson reflects on how quilting affects her family.

Keywords: Acceptance; Antiques; Auctions; Families; Family; Quilt shops; Quilting; Quilts; Supports; Togetherness

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: What's the best part of quilting? What do you like best about it?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson likes the process of appliqueing best, but she likes quilting, as well.

Keywords: Applique; Designs; Hand quilting; Judy Martin; Piecing; Procrastination; Quilt shows; Quilting; Quilts

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Sewing machines.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: --(Laughs)--Well that's one of the questions I wanted to ask about, uh, your preference for hand quilting or machine quilting and what you think about the trend in machine quilting?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson prefers hand quilting over machine quilting, though she can appreciate the beauty of machine-quilted creations.

Keywords: Beautiful quilts; Creations; Designs; Hand quilted quilts; Hand quilting; Machine quilted quilts; Machine quilting; Preferences

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Sewing machines.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Are there some parts of quilting you don't enjoy?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson says that she doesn't enjoy certain parts of quilting, specifically washing the fabric.

Keywords: Fabrics; Ironing; Washing

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Uh, what do you think makes a great quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson thinks that planning is the key to a great quilt.

Keywords: Blocks; Designs; Great quilts; Materials; Planning; Plans

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Have you won some prizes, Alice?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson discusses the many awards she's won as a quilter.

Keywords: Awards; Best of Show award; Bowie (Tex.); Bridgeport; Bridgeport (Tex.); Chico (Tex.); Excitement; Prizes; Quilting; Quilting awards; Quilts; Ribbons; Satisfaction

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: What do you think makes a, a great quilter?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson doesn't know what makes a great quilter, but she has examples of some from her family life.

Keywords: Aunts; Continuation; Grandmothers; Great quilters; Non-idle hands; Utility quilting; Utility quilts

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Now, you've indicated that you took some classes, early on when you started quilting.

Segment Synopsis: Robinson's greatest influences were from books she read and classes she took.

Keywords: Books; Classes; Dangerous techniques; Dangers of quilting; Influencers; Influences; Judy Martin; Meetings; Patterns; Quilting techniques; Recreation centers; Revolutionary techniques; Rotary cutting; Shapes; Teachers; Techniques; Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild; Trudy Hughs

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Rotary cutting.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Um, why do you think quilting's important in your life, Alice?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson reminisces about her parents' work when she was a child. She hopes quilting will resonate the same way with her kids.

Keywords: Children; Families; Family; Grandchildren; Great Depression; Importance; Mechanics; Parents; Remembrance; Traditions

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Now--(clears throat)--we all have a stash, don't we, Alice? Tell me about yours.--(Laughs)--

Segment Synopsis: Robinson doesn't have a room solely dedicated to quilting, but she keeps a sewing machine in a bedroom and her materials out on the porch in cabinets.

Keywords: Cabinets; Car salesmen; Car shops; Fabric organization; Fabrics; Irons; Materials; Multi-purpose rooms; Quilt shops; Sewing machines; Sewing rooms; Shelves; Stashes; Used car salesmen

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Sewing machines.; Textiles.

Partial Transcript: Uh, when you think about America and quilts in America, uh, how do you think that, uh--or what kind of special meaning do you think quilts have for women in America?

Segment Synopsis: Robinson gives her opinions on the growing quilt industry in America and the uses of the quilt in modern times.

Keywords: America; Bed spreads; Decorations; Families; Family; Growth; Guilds; Hobbies; Interests; Necessities; Promotions; Quilt magazines; Quilt stores; Quilts; Women

Subjects: Craft and art; Crafts & decorating; Quilting arts workshop; Quilting.; Quilts.; Sewing machines.; Textiles.