Quilting and Patchwork

Sharing Quilts & Quilting with Community Groups

by Mary Emma Allen on December 3rd, 2007

 I find it most enjoyable to share my quilts and quilting with groups in our community and further afield.  (This comes from someone who was petrified to give oral book reports in school.)  However, when you have something you enjoy, it’s much easier to display and share.One of my fond memories involves being guest speaker for our local historical society.  They wanted me to speak about quilts, quilt history and my involvement with this.   (My daughter and I had recently been named in Who’s Who in American Quilting and a press release appeared in the local paper.)

So I gathered together quilts I had at home:

*A quilt I made with my grandmother, well worn but filled with memories and feed sack fabric.

*A quilt top my husband’s grandmother gave us when we married that I still haven’t backed and quilted.

*Another quilt top of Gram’s…a Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern that Jim’s mom passed along to us.

*Miscellaneous quilts, tops, and patches I’d accumulated over the years.

*Bits and pieces left from the quilt my mom and dad received as a wedding gift in 1834.

Along with the quilts, I took along some books about quilt history I enjoy.

Then I also brought along copies of my book, The Magic of Patchwork, to sell and autograph.

Armed with all these “show and tell items,” I wasn’t apprehensive about sharing with the members of the local historical society.  They seemed to enjoy my presentation, too.  They admired the various quilts and asked questions afterward.

See about finding opportunities to share your quilts and quilting knowledge with quilting groups, community organizations, and schools.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.  And you even may get paid!

If you’re still apprehensive, check out:

* Laura Spenser’s post on Home Biz Notes, 5 Tips on Making a Successful Business Presentation.

*My post at Grow Your Writing Business, Take Your Writing On Tour.  Even though I focused this post on writers, there are tips here  any speaker can utilize.

*My post at Home Biz Notes, Speaking Opportunities for Home Business Owners.  Even though these mention home business, any quilter/fabric artists could adapt the suggestions to their needs.

*Sharing Your Quilt Knowledge Through Talks in the Quilting and Patchwork archives.

Share with us your experiences on giving talks, presentations and workshops.  I’d also enjoy scheduling talks with your group.

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POSTED IN: General Quilting/Patchwork, Quilting / Patchwork Books and Magazines, Quilting / Patchwork Memories, Quilting/Patchwork Misc.