Resources for Quilt Study

 The Arizona Quilt Documentation Project, spearheaded by Lynn Miller, is dedicated to documenting quilts in Arizona and making the information available on the Quilt Index. 

Since 2012, the Project's team members have entered almost 5,000 quilts into the Quilt Index, with more being added regularly. 

As of 2020, all the quilts in the state's museums have been documented. As of early 2021, the Quilt Index has records about almost 5,000 Arizona quilts. 

Please use the form on the Contact Us page if you are interested in becoming involved in this project.

Text by Dr. Margaret Simmons

 The Quilt Index, originally launched in 2003, is an open access, digital repository of thousands of images, stories and information about quilts and their makers drawn from hundreds of public and private collections around the world. It represents the work of thousands of community-based and independent scholars, digital humanists, and professionals in libraries, archives, and museums who are dedicated to preserving and making accessible quilt history.

Text quoted from the Quilt Index.

In 2012 AZQS was instrumental in helping quilters celebrate the state's 100th anniversary of statehood through ACQP, There were four major components to the project: 1) the custom design of a fabric line, 2) a statewide quilt challenge, 3) a year long exhibit, "100 Years -- 100 Quilts" at the Arizona History Museum (used copies of the exhibit catalog can be found online), and 4) the creation of the Arizona Centennial Quilt.

The Arizona Historical Society's (AHS) Arizona History Museum in Tucson is home to the Arizona Centennial Quilt which was made by quilters across the state. ACQP gifted the quilt to the museum 2012 so that all Arizonans have access to it.

Text by Dr. Margaret Simmons, ACQP

Mission

The American Quilt Study Group establishes and promotes the highest standards for interdisciplinary quilt-related studies, providing opportunities for study, research, and the publication of works that advance the knowledge of quilts and related subjects.

Scholarship and History

AQSG stands as one of the oldest and largest member organizations dedicated to quilt related studies in the world.

The American Quilt Study Group is unique in our offerings. In addition to nurturing and sharing research, one of the biggest dividends of membership is the opportunity to meet other members, in person or online.

Text quoted from AQSG Website.

Quilt Alliance is a nonprofit 501c3 organization established in 1993 with a mission to document, preserve, and share our American quilt heritage by collecting the rich stories that historic and contemporary quilts, and their makers, tell about our nation’s diverse peoples and their communities.

In support of this mission, the Alliance brings together quilt makers and designers, the quilt industry, quilt scholars and teachers, and quilt collectors to further the following goals:

● to promote the understanding of the quilt as an important American grassroots art form

● to share stories and documentation about quilts with a broad public

● to educate Americans about the importance of documenting quilts and quiltmakers so that their stories will not be lost

Text quoted from Quilt Alliance Website.

The International Quilt Museum’s (IQM) mission is to build a global collection and audience that celebrate the cultural and artistic significance of quilts.

The International Quilt Museum is located on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's East Campus, and houses the largest publicly held quilt collection in the world. Diversity and inclusion are central to the University’s and the IQM’s mission and pursuit of excellence. Each person has something to gain from and offer to our community of learning, discovery, and outreach. All are welcome here.

The museum offers many virtual programs and all quilts may be viewed online. Sign up for the "quilt of the month" program for a monthly emailed lesson about a selected quilt. 

Text quoted, in part, from the IQM Website.