Quilt Stories from the Museum of Texas Tech University
Quilt Stories from the Museum of Texas Tech University
Dr. Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D., Curator of Clothing and Textiles at the Museum of Texas Tech University shares images of vintage quilts from their collection and tells their fascinating stories.
Quilt Stories from the Museum of Texas Tech University
Life often brings small seemingly unimportant serendipitous moments that lead to big ideas. A chance encounter at an October DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) meeting, where Dr. Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D. (Curator of Clothing and Textiles at the Museum of Texas Tech University) was invited to speak on quilts, led to a short chat post-meeting, followed by a more in-depth conversation over coffee during the Houston Quilt Festival last fall.
Quilters Express their Political Opinions Through Quilts
Quilters have a rich history of using their skills to convey political messages through their work. Today, many quilts reflect views on issues such as the environment, women's rights, and the rights of various ethnic groups.
Quilting Taught at University in 1930s
Quilts and graduations have always gone hand in hand. Many a quilter has stayed up late burning the midnight oil while adding the final touches to a graduate's special quilt. Dr. Marian Ann Montgomery delights us with another aspect of college study from an earlier time.
Quilts Among the Dinosaurs
Quilts and the New Year
Many women made quilts as a necessity, not for beauty—just to keep their family warm. The three quilts I show you here from the Museum’s Collection were made probably by women who just needed to get them done to warm their children. However looking at the quilts today through the prism of modern art, we can see that even with scraps these women created beautiful works of art.
Red and Green Mid 19th Century Texas Quilt
Red, White, and Blue Quilts
The colors of red, white and blue dominate everyone's summertime festivities so we thought it might be nice to look at two 19th century red, white and blue quilts in the collection of the The Museum of Texas Tech University.
Redwork Quilt Documents West Texas District
A red work quilt, circa 1930, was offered to the Museum of Texas Tech University on which the words “Lubbock District” as well as names of various schools and towns were embroidered. The donor thought it was a representation of all the schools located in the Lubbock School District, but once others in West Texas saw images of the quilt, they knew it covered a far wider geographic area.
Satin Baby Quilts
The anticipation and joy that comes with an expected baby often means a special blanket or quilt lovingly made by the awaiting mother. These charming little quilts show the care, detailed work and often give a nod to the popular styles of the times during which they were made.
Searching for Origins - Star and Crescent Quilt
The Museum of Texas Tech University is proud to announce that the 450 quilts from the collection of West Texas native Lisa Erlandson have been promised to the Museum, with an exhibit showcasing 40 of her treasures. Mrs. Erlandson, a quilt historian, has held numerous leadership roles with the American Quilt Study Group. She is particularly passionate about researching and preserving the stories behind each quilt. Having collected quilts for many years, she has chosen this institution to care for her remarkable collection, an honor the Museum staff deeply appreciates. The exhibit will be on display through August 17, 2025.
Mrs. Erlandson continues to lecture using her quilts, and some quilts that have been promised as gifts to the museum will be returned to her for ongoing research. One such example is a Star and Crescent pattern quilt with inscribed blocks dated 1877.