Konza Prairie Quilters' Guild |
Tara Miller's photo exudes energy and enthusiasm, which is exactly what she brought to our February program. Since Tara resides in Atlanta, Georgia, we connected via Zoom for a program titled, "Quilting With the Fire of My Foremothers." On her website, Quilt District.com, Tara explains, "As a speaker, instructor, pattern designer, author, and independent researcher, I’m here to celebrate and deepen our connections to quilting and women’s history. My workshops, lectures, and original quilt patterns are crafted to inspire, empower, and educate. My purpose is to inspire quilters to feel confident and connected, to each other and to our foremothers." |
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Tara's inspiration came from the discovery of her great-grandmother, Frances Bartlett's, Feed Sack Quilt from early 1900s in Heafer, Arkansas. We were educated on clues to look for when dating an old quilt: when popular, geographic region of origin, elaborate or plain, thread type and color, quality of fabric, what dyes may have been used, as well as scientific factors such whether the colors are plant or metal based.
Tara also offered guild members a chance to play True or False with Myths About Quilts. Some popular quilting beliefs are true, but many more are simply myths. For example: "If it's hand-quilted, it must be old." Singer patented the first sewing machine in 1850, so naturally, those who could, took advantage of the time-saving practice of machine quilting. How many of you still enjoy hand quilting for special projects? Yes, for 125 years, quilters have employed both techniques in finishing their creations.
Treasure your heirloom quilts and continue to make quilts as your legacy to be treasured by future generations.