PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

“Living the Dream,” by Diana Bracy

Asheville, North Carolina, April 28, 2009 – More than 50 quiltmakers inspired by President Obama have been interviewed for Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories, an oral history project for the Alliance for American Quilts. Throughout the presidential campaign, Karen Musgrave, volunteer and co-chair of the project, kept reading stories and seeing more and more images of quilts inspired by Barack Obama. Wanting to capture this moment in our history, she began interviewing those quiltmakers for Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories. These interviews have been added to the more than 900 interviews in the project.

“I want to thank all the quiltmakers who shared so openly their thoughts and experiences in the interviews. This “feminine medium” continues to take ordinary materials to create something of great meaning and to provide us with an important glimpse of our history,” said Musgrave.

The quiltmakers were eloquent about what inspired their quilts. Carolyn Crump, a gifted art quilter from Houston, Texas who employs an unusual three-dimensional appliqué style, said, “I don’t know too many people that listened to his speeches or came in contact with him that didn’t want to be a better person … The quilt that I designed is part of me and when I’m dead and gone that quilt is going to be here, and that is part of me that I left behind saying this man touched my life.”

Indeed, like several of the quiltmakers interviewed for the project, Crump said she isn’t done making Obama quilts: she plans to make a total of 44, tracing his path from childhood to the presidency.

Detail view of “From Vision to Victory,” by Carolyn Crump

All the quilts and the stories behind them are a unique expression of the maker’s impression of the “Obama phenomenon.” Now that Obama is President, these quilts have become even more significant. The quiltmakers represent a broad spectrum of political views from avid Obama supporters, to Hilary supporters, to staunch Republicans. Their skills range from beginner to professional. Participants also include those from two exhibits, “Quilts for Obama: An Exhibit Celebration of our 44th President” and “President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts.”

Many of the quiltmakers drew upon the iconography of the campaign. Others took the literal image of Obama a step further and used elements of culture and Pop Art in their quilts, while others simply did a literal interpretation. The themes of family, patriotism, Africa, civil rights and hope were also popular.

“Obama Equals Hope,” by Jeanette Thompson

The Alliance for American Quilts is a national non-profit organization that supports and develops projects to document, preserve, and share the history of quilts and quiltmakers. The AAQ brings together groups and individuals from the creative, scholarly and business worlds of quiltmaking to advance the recognition of quilts and their makers in American culture.

Specific questions about Q.S.O.S. can be directed to Karen Musgrave, or call 630-579-1024.

Photographs of the quilts can also be seen as an online book at

For further information, please contact:
Amy E. Milne, Executive Director
(828) 251-7073

This press release is published by as a public service.