Oral History Interview with Becky Schaefer

Partial Transcript: "This interview is for Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society, it's the Quilters on File Project, and what were trying to do is get some of the quilters that live in Kentucky to give us some the information about their lives, what started them on quilting, and what they feel quilting does for them in their lives."

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer introduces herself and is interviewed in her home in Louisville Kentucky. The interviewer discusses the purpose of the interview for the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society.

Keywords: Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society; Quilters on File Project

Subjects: Jefferson County (Ky.); Louisville (Ky.); Quilting.

Partial Transcript: Schaefer discusses her husbands work history and education, as well as her own education. She also discusses her children.

Segment Synopsis: Schafer discusses her husbands occupation, work history, seminary education and their move from San Anselmo California. Schafer then discusses her education in sociology and psychology and her work in a psychiatric institute. Shaefer discuses her daughter Jenny, whom has down syndrome, and a child they fostered named Nanie who was born in Iran.

Keywords: Psychiatric institute

Subjects: Down syndrome.; Education.; Foster children; Iran.; Psychology.; Religious education.; San Anselmo (Calif.); Sociology.; Special education.; Theology--Study and teaching.

Partial Transcript: Schaefer details background information about her and her family including her childhood growing up in Japan. She also mentions a trip to Japan which she went on as a quilting teacher.

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer gives more background information including the names of her parents and siblings. Schaefer also details some of her work history. Schaefer then discusses her parents move to Japan as missionaries and her life there and education until she moved to the United States when she was 18. She also discusses a trip she went on two years before to Japan as a quilting teacher through the East Bay Heritage Quilters. Schaefer then gives more details about her family's background and her education.

Subjects: East Bay Heritage Quilters.; Education.; Japan.; Quilting--Japan.

Partial Transcript: "When did you learn to quilt?"

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer discusses how she got started in handicrafts and quilting. She discusses her early classes on quilting and machine piecing with Glendora Hutson. Schaefer states that she began quilting around 1972. The interview then cuts out briefly.

Keywords: machine piecing

Subjects: Handicrafts.; Quilting.

Partial Transcript: "Do you know of any men who quilt?"

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer is asked if she knows any men who quilt. She discusses Arnold Savage with whom she has corresponded with and has sent her pieces of fabric and keeps up with quilting. Schafer also discusses the differences for men and women in quilting.

Subjects: Gender.; Men.; Quilting.; Women.

Partial Transcript: "What were the quilts you made when you were learning to quilt?"

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer describes some of the early quilts she made including crib quilts made out of drapery. Schafer also discusses the challenges of making time to quilt with a busy life. Schafer also discusses creating her own studio.

Subjects: Crib quilts; Draperies; Quilting.

Partial Transcript: "Where do you get your quilt designs?"

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer describes how she listens to the radio stations, particularly NPR while she quilts. She also discusses where she gets her quilt designs. Schaefer states that she starts with the fabric for inspiration.

Keywords: Fabric; Quilt design

Subjects: National Public Radio (U.S.); Quilting.

Partial Transcript: Schaefer discusses her quilt "Requiem" and how she came up with the design and entering it in Quilt National.

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer talks about the design and creation of her piece “Requiem” with fabrics she purchased in Japan. Schaefer also discusses her entering "Requiem" in Quilt National.Schaefer describes a letter she received in response to one of her quilts and the impact it had. She also gives more details about Quilt National, which is a juried exhibition that is held every other year in Athens Ohio.

Subjects: Athens (Oh.); Japan.; Quilt National; Quilting.

Partial Transcript: "What makes a good quilt?"

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer discusses what makes a good quilt. The recording then cuts out for a while. She also discusses why she makes quilts.

Subjects: Quilting

Partial Transcript: Schaefer discusses teaching miniature quilts and the publishing of her book.

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer talks about her experiences teaching miniature quilts. Schaefer discusses the development and publishing of her book on quilting.

Subjects: Miniature quilts.; Publishers and publishing.; Quilting; Teaching.

Partial Transcript: Schaefer gives her quilting preferences and talks about women's pride in quilting.

Segment Synopsis: Shaefer discusses her preferences in quilting with piecing, applique, piecing on machinery, embroidery, machine embroidery and stitches. She also discusses the pride many women have in quilting and some of the issues with male judges.

Keywords: Piecing

Subjects: Appliqué.; Embroidery.; Quilting; Women.

Partial Transcript: Shaefer discusses quilting groups and her experiences with teaching quilting.

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer comments on group quilting and states she has no real experience with it. Schaefer mentions her membership in the East Bay Heritage Quilters, Louisville Nimble Thimbles and Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society. She also discusses Teaching experiences at quilt workshops. Shaefer also details some of the negative aspects of teaching quilting.

Keywords: Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society; Louisville Nimble Thimbles; Workshop

Subjects: East Bay Heritage Quilters.; Quilting

Partial Transcript: Schaefer gives some advice about quilting.

Segment Synopsis: Schaefer gives some of her favorite quilting books and magazines and quilting advice. Schaefer states that she tries to hang or sell her quilts when she is finished with them. The interview cuts out.

Keywords: Magazines

Subjects: Books; Quilting