Quilts 101 - Antique and Contemporary Quilts -
why quilts matter: history, art & politics

What is a quilt? This episode introduces the audience to the brave new world of the American quilt, where that question has many different answers. If a 'real' quilt is a three layer fabric sandwich sewn together and folded over a bed, how do we define the quilt that is an amalgamation of fabric, photography, print making and other media, and hangs on a gallery wall? Our experts contribute varying perspectives, setting the stage for the complexity of the series' larger topic: Why quilts matter and how they relate to history, art and politics. This episode also takes a look at judgments of quality in the quilt world. Learn what makes one antique quilt more valuable and important than another, and why contemporary quilts are judged by a very different set of standards. To close the episode, experts provide practical suggestions for quilt fans who want to develop their 'eye' for a great quilt. In short, its Quilts 101, and the perfect introduction to a surprisingly complex subject.

Episode Duration: 26 minutes and 56 seconds

Episode Number: 101

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About Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics:

This new documentary series focuses on why quilts are bigger than you think, seen through the lenses of history, art, and politics.

For the quilter, collector or casual observer, the nine episodes take you behind the scenes and into new territory, exploring the centrality of the quilt in American culture and revealing the unsuspected size, breadth and depth of the quilt culture.