American Quilter's Society
A Story of Pride & Success
March 28, 2020
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Hello,
Who is Meredith Schroeder in her own words? That’s the hardest question of all. I’m a mother, grandmother, publisher, quilt collector, an energetic and positive person. When did you realize that you wanted to share with the world your love for quilts and quilting? We attended a quilt show in 1983. It was the first time I had seen such beautiful art quilts. Each one a masterpiece in design and workmanship. |
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
What did you set out to accomplish as the Founder of the American Quilter's Society?
Paducah, KY, had a new large convention center and a new 400 room hotel. So, we decided we could have a quilt show and contest in Paducah. We planned a membership society. Members would receive special discounts on quilt books and products, receive the “American Quilter” magazine and a membership card and pin. We announced the new show and contest for the following year.
As part of the Society we promised we would build a quilt museum in Paducah, KY, to exhibit the best of show winners of the show. The National Quilt Museum was built in 1991 in Paducah, KY.
#HowWeCope - Our daily routines have changed drastically as a result of the global pandemic. How do we cope? What can we do to push ourselves forward in search of the light at the end of this scary tunnel?
Stay busy, in our case quilt, or whatever hobby you can do from home, cook, sew, read, craft, garden. Do all those projects you didn’t have time to get finished or start. Now it's the time. Enjoy your family! Realize the important things in life are family, friends and love ones. This will pass. We will be stronger for it.
The American Quilter’s Society also offers online quilt classes on their ‘iquilt’ platform, and is currently providing a free online code to preview on of their classes. The code is IQUILTFREE and can be redeemed until June 30, 2020.
Paducah, KY, had a new large convention center and a new 400 room hotel. So, we decided we could have a quilt show and contest in Paducah. We planned a membership society. Members would receive special discounts on quilt books and products, receive the “American Quilter” magazine and a membership card and pin. We announced the new show and contest for the following year.
As part of the Society we promised we would build a quilt museum in Paducah, KY, to exhibit the best of show winners of the show. The National Quilt Museum was built in 1991 in Paducah, KY.
#HowWeCope - Our daily routines have changed drastically as a result of the global pandemic. How do we cope? What can we do to push ourselves forward in search of the light at the end of this scary tunnel?
Stay busy, in our case quilt, or whatever hobby you can do from home, cook, sew, read, craft, garden. Do all those projects you didn’t have time to get finished or start. Now it's the time. Enjoy your family! Realize the important things in life are family, friends and love ones. This will pass. We will be stronger for it.
The American Quilter’s Society also offers online quilt classes on their ‘iquilt’ platform, and is currently providing a free online code to preview on of their classes. The code is IQUILTFREE and can be redeemed until June 30, 2020.
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How has your work evolved through the years?
We have continued to produce quilt shows. We have 6 shows per year all over the country: Paducah, KY: 2 in Lancaster, PA; Grand Rapids, MI; Daytona, FL: Charleston, SC. We publish books, catalogues, and a magazine.
This is a family business with my daughter, and 2 sons now working in the business.
What do you see as essential accomplishments of the American Quilter's Society?
I believe we have expanded the industry by recognizing the value of a quilt and the quilt maker. The time, effort and skill of the quilt maker has been recognized by the public.
We have awarded over 5 Million dollars to quilters as prize money for their quilts. Through all the books we have published we have introduced many new people to the industry.
The how-to quilting books we published have taught many people how to quilt and how to improve their quilting techniques, as does the “American Quilter” magazine.
What are your favorite types of quilts? What kind of quilters create quilts that are a crowd favorite anywhere?
I probably prefer a traditional applique quilt, but they are all my favorites. I’m amazed at what the quilt maker can create. Today, there so many new tools, machines and fabrics to entice quilters to explore and experiment to see what all can be created. And that is exactly what they are doing.
Probably the most crowd-pleasing type of quilt would be the pictorial quilt. Some are so real looking you would think it was a photograph.
What are some distinguishing characteristics of the community of quilters?
Quilters are the most caring, sharing and positive people. They are willing to help. They are passionate about quilting and each other. They are patient. The best people to be associated with.
What are some must-see AQS events in KY and around the country?
You must attend the AQS QuiltWeek shows, you must attend The National Quilt Museum in Paducah.
We have two ongoing campaigns: #BeatTheBlues and #WhatMatters. We'd love to hear your perspective on either one or both campaigns as the Founder of the American Quilter's Society?
#BeatTheBlues and #WhatMatters have exactly the same features that the quilt maker experiences in quilting. It is a creative outlet for life experiences that are sad, devastating, frustrating, and discouraging. But, it is also an opportunity to celebrate all the good experiences, new births, weddings, goals reached, graduations and more.
The answer is “let’s make a quilt.” I believe creativity deals with emotions and that is exactly what quilting does. It is therapy.
This uniquely American art form is also lowering the risk for dementia, high blood pressure, treats mental health and stress levels while improving hand-eye coordination and fosters a sense of engagement through community. At its heart, the American Quilter’s Society is a community, providing tactile and emotional support for its members in difficult times.
At the end, how have your short and long-term objectives changed as a result of COVID-19?
Actually, most of my business objectives have changed. Thinking about the best way to keep our employees employed and safe. We are cutting staff, using vacation time for income and half of our staff are working from home. Long-term we will have to wait and see how long this lasts then we hope to regroup and go back to work full time.
Thank you!