Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild: Quiltmaking practices and motivations

The primary problem was to identify and describe the demographic characteristics, quiltmaking motivations, and quiltmaking practices of members of the Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild (TVQG). The study resulted in a demographic profile of TVQG members and their quiltmaking motivations, quiltmaking techniques, and quiltmaking practices. The self-administered, mailed questionnaire was distributed to 382 members of Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild (TVQG) and resulted in a 66.5% return rate (n = 254). Findings indicated that participants were prevalently 51 years of age or older, female, white, non-Hispanic, grew up in the west south central part of the United States, had a high school education and were married. The majority of participants were raised in an urban setting and were retired. Participants most frequently reported Methodist as their religious affiliation and reported an U.S. annual household income of $60,000 a year or more. The majority of participants participated in the quiltmaking process, learned to quilt between the ages of 50 to 59, and were self-taught. Based upon the quiltmaking practices and techniques of the participants, four trends emerged. Participants predominantly utilized machine techniques and practices rather than

traditional hand techniques, purchased patterns and kits rather than created original designs, placed importance upon the visual impact and quality of assembly of a quilt rather than traditional techniques such as hand piecing or hand quilting, and predominantly participated in quiltmaking individually rather than in groups. Additionally, the study determined that number of hours per week spent on quiltmaking, number of quilts made, and amount of U.S. dollars on quiltmaking could predict whether a participant was motivated to quilt for giving, creative expression, or relief and pleasure purposes. There were three significant implications of the study. First, the participants overwhelmingly preferred machine techniques and practices over hand methods. Secondly, participants predominately learned to quilt later in life. These findings may be utilized by the quiltmaking industry to tailor quiltmaking patterns, products, and supplies to the current U.S. quiltmaker. Third, the study resulted in a questionnaire that may serve as a model for subsequent research in collecting consistent data on U.S. quiltmakers.