Legacy of a Thousand Stitches Highlights Museum of Texas Tech University’s Quilt Collection

A new exhibition featuring an array of antique quilts will run Jan. 15-May 15 at the Museum at Texas Tech University.

"Legacy of a Thousand Stitches" features about 30 of the best and most interesting quilts from more than 260 in the museum's collection. Marian Ann J. Montgomery, the curator of clothing and textiles, made selections based on their artistic appeal and story behind them.

"With several of the quilts, the maker is known and their story will also in be shared," she said. "Because women in the 19th century often didn't leave a written record, these quilts remain an important legacy of these women. Where the quilt-maker is known, an image of her will be shown with her quilt."

Items range from an 1839 chintz medallion quilt signed by the maker to beautiful early 20th century quilts made in West Texas. All the quilts reflect the high level of artistic talent of the makers, she said.

Six of the museum's doll quilts also will be on exhibit. Montgomery said doll quilts rarely survive because they were toys often made from scraps of household sewing and sometimes by a child. The museum has several of these tiny treasures, which have never before been exhibited until now.

An exhibition catalog featuring images of each of the quilts on exhibit will accompany this major exhibition of the museum's quilts and include another 50 in the collection not on display.

The museum is free to the public and opened 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. It is located at 3301 Fourth Street in Lubbock.

For further information please utilize these Museum contacts:

Marian Ann Montgomery - curator, Collection of Clothing & Textiles
(806) 834-5146 or marian.ann.montgomery@ttu.edu

Daniel Tyler – Marketing & Communications
(806) 834-1162 or daniel.tyler@ttu.edu