America Quilts

Pieced together primarily from two annual U.S. quilting shows--one sponsored by the American Quilters Society (a four day conference with approximately 30,000 networking needle-pushers); the other, touted the "Largest Quilt Festival in the World," offering up 250 classes and lectures and housing over 22,000 pieces--America Quilts showcases the cream of the quilting crop as beautifully hand-crafted coverlets are displayed and discussed by their creators. Viewers will see a Beatle quilt tribute created by two sisters, Pat Holly and Sue Nickels, who stitched the history of the Fab Four right down to the handwritten lyrics to all 181 songs; learn that quilts serve as literal social documents of our pioneering foremothers (many family heirlooms date back some 175 years); and take a peek at improvisational avant garde quilt making. Combining fine close camera work, nicely paced montages and interesting biographical information, this engaging program unravels these cultural artifacts to reveal the spirit, passion, and diversity at the heart and soul of this American tradition. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)