A few weeks ago, I caught up with quilt researcher and author Janneken Smucker to thumb through her new book together. If you haven’t heard our conversation yet on A New Deal for Quilts, I recommend you go back and catch that episode first, and then come join me for this conversation.

Because today we’re going behind the scenes, behind the book, and into the International Quilt Museum itself. I’m joined by the curator of International collections at IQM, Marin Hanson, to hear what it was like to put together the exhibition for A New Deal for Quilts. I know very little about how curators pull off such a quilt feat, so I had all kinds of questions.

In this conversation Marin and I discuss:
① a curators calculus for choosing the perfect quilts
② the significance of feed sacks in quilt-making
③ the impact of quilts on the human experience

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Listeners interested in textiles, history, or art will find this episode particularly engaging. Marin's insights provide a unique perspective on the curation process and the deep connections between quilts and cultural narratives.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Textiles in Personal Life: Think about a textile (like a quilt, blanket, or garment) that holds special meaning in your life. What story does it tell, and how does it connect you to your personal or cultural history?

Art as a Historical Lens: How can art forms like quilting offer unique insights into historical events and societal changes? Reflect on the role of everyday objects in shaping and preserving our understanding of the past.

Sustainability in Textiles: The use of feed sacks in quilting is a testament to resourcefulness and sustainability. How can we apply similar principles of reuse and creativity in our current approach to textiles and fashion?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

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