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Quilting and Patchwork

Sharing Your Quilt Knowledge Through Talks

by Mary Emma Allen on July 27th, 2005

“Not me! I’d never get in front of a group and give a talk,” you exclaim.

However, sharing your quilt knowledge, whether it’s about making quilts or quilt history, can be an enjoyable event. I was very shy as a youngster and tried to avoid oral book reports, giving demonstrations in 4-H club, or even speaking before a small group of friends. Over the years, I’ve discovered that sharing my love for quilting can be fun. I can even do it without my knees knocking.

*Generally you’ll find, if you’re speaking about a topic you enjoy and are knowledgeable, it’s not too difficult. Start out sharing with your quilting friends. Perhaps you’ll teach a class to a small group of adults or youngsters. I often worked on quilting projects with my 4-H students.

By the time a local historical society asked me to speak about quilts and quilt history, I discovered I enjoyed it.

*Having items to show and talk about will make it much easier. For the talk at the historical society, I shared quilts from my Trails End quilting heritage.

*If you write about quilts and quiltmaking, as I do, read something from your articles or book. This doesn’t mean you bury your head in your material. Read tidbits and then elaborate on them as you glance around at your audience.

*Give a demonstration of some aspect of your quiltmaking. As you work with your hands, you’ll often feel more at ease.

The historical society mentioned my talk in their report for the local newspaper. An elementary school program coordinator read the news. She asked me to teach a quilting workshop, tying it to the students’ study of colonial crafts.

You may find, as I, that one event leads to another with enjoyment and fun increasing.

©2005

POSTED IN: General Quilting/Patchwork

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