On Sunday, March 24, 2024, I presented at the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild’s biennial quilt show.
How did this happen for a self-taught, left-handed, highly introverted quilter?
Simple answer: I was asked!
The long answer:
I joined the local modern quilt guild in December 2022. The guild has monthly in-person meetings and assorted virtual meetings. During their “virtual hand-sew happy hour,” we all share a project we are working on. I showed a repair quilt. To my surprise, the dozen or so other attendees took a great interest in my project, the process, and how I learned to repair quilts.
I was surprised at their interest. To me, the ‘modern aesthetic’ has a very forward-thinking focus. Part of the reason I joined the modern guild was to explore beyond traditional quilting styles while simultaneously honoring the past.
The quilt I showed was a 1940s six-pointed star. As I explained my project and showed a few of the tools I used and other repairs I have made, one of the attendees asked, “Would you like to offer a presentation to our guild in 2024?”
The person who asked was a guild board member and admitted they always need speakers and presentations. “It would be fascinating to have a program on quilt repair!”
While the introvert inside me experienced a brief dread, I heard myself say, “I would love to!”
The good news was we had over a year to schedule my presentation. This would also be a great way to promote my services. I love what I do and want to share that joy with others.
Soon after I committed to a guild presentation, another board member suggested I make a presentation at the 2024 Modern Quilt Guild show. Once again, I said yes.
After a hand-stitching friend (a subgroup of the guild) taught me how to make a PowerPoint presentation and my partner took several pictures of my process, I was ready for my debut.
The only thing I should have done was practice my demonstration. Too many years of practicing for and attending networking events (as a writer and editor) taught me that practice never equated to actual results. Plus, I am far more confident as a quilt artist than I was with any other career in my past.
On the grand day of the event, my partner, Tom, and I drove to the venue. Anxiety attempted to take over, but I wouldn’t let it. I was confident about my abilities, and I wanted to share the joy of quilt repair.
The quilt show itself featured over 300 quilts that fit the modern aesthetic. Themes included challenge quilts, art quilts, improvisation, pieced quilts, maximalist, minimalism, and others. While Tom and I explored every quilt, friends and fellow guild members greeted me and shared their interest in my presentation.
Then it was time! The guild’s program coordinator helped me set up the projector, laptop, and thumb drive. Tom was setting up the small bed on the stage with an assortment of quilts from my collection that had varying degrees of damage. Minutes before I began, the chairs filled up with interested attendees. I didn’t count chairs, but most were full!
Just as when I was on the swim team, once the gun fired, I don’t remember much of the event other than the intent. I flipped through my PowerPoint screens, explained each slide in detail, and highlighted each with a story and one of the quilts on stage with me. Some of the quilts on display included chemical damage – due to overwashing. Another quilt showed normal wear and tear, likely from tucking, snapping the quilt over the bed, or simply a well-loved quilt. Other damage included age, water, animal damage, and even beard damage! If your guy has a beard, you will want to put a beard guard on your quilt!
When the presentation concluded, the audience applauded and came up to the stage to meet me afterward. I received positive feedback, heard stories about beloved family quilts, and made several new friends. The friends in the audience congratulated me and said they were excited to see an extension of my presentation at the quilt guild. That is scheduled for June 2024, so there will be a follow-up to this story in three months!
Kristen
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