Quilt Historian Tara Miller on the Stories Hidden in Quilts - Ep. 214

What if the quilts we make today become the history someone studies 100 years from now?Quilt historian Tara Miller joins me to talk about the stories, people, women’s history, and cultural context hidden inside the quilts we’ve inherited. From her work curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce to her journey from technical writing to studying quilt history, this conversation might make you look at quilts a little differently.Before dedicating herself to quilt history, Tara spent 22 years in the corporate world as a technical writer in the software industry. Along the way, she discovered a deeper passion for understanding quilts not just as objects, but as a way to explore women’s history, culture, creativity, commerce, and everyday life.Tara first began developing her appreciation for the historical side of quilting through books. In 2018, she joined the American Quilt Study Group, diving even deeper into the study and preservation of quilt history. She also credits a long list of incredible mentors who helped her develop a deep appreciation for textiles and their significance in our past, present, and future.We talk about what drew Tara to quilt history, what we can learn by looking closely at the textiles that came before us, the importance of preserving these stories, and why understanding the past can change the way we look at the quilts being made today.Whether you're a quilter, textile lover, history nerd, or simply curious about the stories hidden in the things people make, I hope this conversation inspires you to take a closer look at the quilts around you. Because every quilt has a story. And sometimes, the history is just as fascinating as the quilt itself.*In this episode:• Tara’s journey from technical writer to quilt historian• Curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce* at the Bowers Museum • How books opened the door to quilt history • The American Quilt Study Group and the study of quilt history • The importance of mentors and preserving textile knowledge • Quilts, women’s history, and the stories held in textiles • Why understanding quilt history can deepen our creative practice today Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.Logo art by Myranda Mondry.Want to see more? You can find it here:Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.meFollow along on Instagram: Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompanySubscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshowSupport the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshowWant to be on the show? Send us a message