Goals

Method

Results & Benefits

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• the creation of an archive of photographs of relief sale quilts and audio and/or written interviews with their quilters and those associated with the quilt auctions.  These archives will preserve both Mennonite/Amish and fundraising quilt history. 

• collaboration within the quilting community and aid in the gathering of relevant data through the use of the web site. 
   
• the creation of opportunities for ourselves, as researchers and quilters, for quilt scholars, for the Mennonite community and for other participants within the local and world quilting culture to engage in a process of exploring and documenting the cultural aspects of quilting within the Mennonite relief sale tradition. 
   
• the enhancement of knowledge and understanding regarding the artistry of this genre.

Benefits:

•  A key element of the Mennonite Relief Sale Quilt Project will be uncovering the perspective of the Mennonite women fashioning and producing the MCC relief sale quilts in regard to the contribution made to global peacemaking by the sale of quilts.  A view of the significant role these women have and continue to play will offer scholars, quilters, Mennonite organizations and society at large a more complete picture of peacemaking history within this tradition.

• Through the documentation of the production of quilts for fundraising purposes, both Mennonite/Amish women and women will gain an opportunity to become familiar with these fundraising quilts.  The larger community of women quilting as a method of fundraising may also benefit from the experiences of Mennonite and Amish women within the Mennonite and Amish community.
   

• Any research into the design of quilts, current and past, contributes to the current artistry of quiltmaking.  It is anticipated that uncovering this piece of North American quilt history will stimulate quilters in their artistic pursuits.
   
• The proposed project will further the broader field of quilt scholarship and perception of quilt research as rigorous and credible academic work.  Through the documentation of a genre of North American quilts the project, however, offers the additional benefit that it records an element of women’s history.  The collection of evidence regarding the role of women in charitable fundraising and in the production of North American art will broaden our common understanding of women’s work throughout history and the contributions of women to the development of art.

We envision several final presentations for this study.  The research findings and analysis will be submitted for publication in an academic journal.  Additionally, we are considering the eventual publication of the complete study in book form.  The findings of the research will also be presented in formats intended for more popular use.  For example, we anticipate creating a summary of the research available in a PowerPoint presentation for quilt guild meetings, women’s associations and groups, and university classes.  After publication our work will also be summarized on our website.

The study, as projected, is eventually intended to be the initial chapter in a book we envision on the relationship between quilts (or fabric coverings), women and culture.