A Virtual Lecture Series

Stories have always been told at quilting bees: stories of legacy, of resistance, and of community care. This autumn we invite you to join Dr. Sharbreon Plummer and Dr. Jess Bailey as they re-imagine the quilting bee, creating an online space in which to learn about the rich and diverse histories of patchwork in North America while perhaps making your own quilt. Across six lectures featuring a range of writers, researchers, and quilters, you will learn why and how artists in this tradition are so connected to quilt histories. Guests will share their knowledge and experience of topics that are integral to how we understand quilting in the past and in our present such as through a deeper consideration of materials, diaspora, indigenous knowledge, and queering quilt legacies. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of both the diversity and vitality of quilt histories in passing down artistic traditions. While we hope you will join us for the full duration of the class, you are also welcome to sign up for individual lectures on topics that interest you. 

Quilters make in order to know. This virtual quilt history lecturer series would not be complete without an opportunity to both discuss the stories we hear and make more quilts. While enrollment in the People Quilting Bee lectures series is unlimited, Dr. Sharbreon Plummer will be guiding an intimate group through the processes of making a quilt while exploring our relationship to materials, storytelling and communal creativity. She will facilitate discussions that blend the heart, mind and hands, showcasing how quilts are a tool for self discovery and archive the beauty of our humanity.

Enroll for all 6 sessions or any individual sessions of your choice.

Dates and Times:

Intro: Why Learn Quilt History? - September 6th, 2023

Honoring the Foundation on Which We Stand - September 27th, 2023

Stitching Love and Loss: A Gee's Bend Quilt - October 18th, 2023

Honoring Our Ancestors - November 8th, 2023

Quilts, Queerness, and Community - November 29th, 2023

Closing: Quilting New Futures with the Past - December 20th, 2023

Quilting Circle - September 9th, 2023 through January 6th, 2024

Time
All lectures are from 2 pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time

Location
Zoom, a link will be send to participants the day before each lecture

Tuition
All Tatter lectures are considered community programming and therefore ticket prices are donation-based. The suggested donation for each of these lectures is $25. Donation options for single lectures are $15, $25, $50, $75, and $100. To purchase the whole lecture series, donation options are $90, $100, $150, $200, and $300. Please choose your desired donation from the drop down menu.

The Quilting Circle making sessions are $450. This price includes all lectures and a quilting circle kit, which consists of a comprehensive workbook, fabrics, and threads. Please select $450 from the drop down menu if you would like to sign up for these sessions.

*All sessions will be recorded. Following the live session, a link to each recording will be emailed to all those who register. Each link is live for 24 hours only.

We have two scholarships available for the lecture series combined with the quilting circle. To be considered for the scholarship please email info@tatter.org with some information about yourself, your creative practice, and why you would like to participate.