Activity One: Visit The American Memory Collection at the Library of Congress to learn more about quilts and quiltmaking in America between 1978 and 1996. This collection features the American Folklife Center's collection and the "All American Quilt Contest" sponsored by Coming Home a division of Land's End and by Good Housekeeping. The 180 winning quilts from across the United States are on virtual display which represent a wide range of quiltmaking from traditional to innovative.

1. A glossary of quilting terms is available on this website. Look up the words: fancy quilt and then plan quilt. What is the difference between a fancy quilt and a plain quilt?

2. As you tour the exhibit, (remember to click the link to go to the next set of quilts) answer the following questions:* What would you consider if you were judging a quilt in a contest?* Why are the quilts so different in color and pattern?

 Activity Two: Now read America's Story Stitch a Quilt from the Library of Congress site designed for people your age. There are some wonderful links on this site which will further explain how quilts are made and who makes them.

Now, visit the following sites to answer the questions below.1. Where were some of the earliest quilts or quilted clothing used for and by whom? Visit Dating Quilts to find the answer.

2. Crazy Quilts have become popular "patterns". However, in Colonial Times in America, women chose to sew together small pieces of fabric to make quilts. Why did they use these small pieces of fabric? Visit the The Caron Collection to find the answer.

3. Can you find one or more geometric patterns in the quilt found on the Jinny Beyer.com webpage?

4. There are many quilt styles. Examine each of the nine types of quilt styles shown on the Quilt Styles page. Be prepared to explain which style is your favorite and why you like it best.

5. Read the first few lines of this poem from a quilt made for a 50th wedding anniversary. Then, share this poem with your parents. Decide what the first few lines mean to them.

6. Students in a third grade class in Wisconsin made the quilt displayed on this webpage to celebrate the 150 anniversary of the state of Wisconsin. Click on each of the small blocks to see each student's design. If you were going to make a quilt square that described you, what might you want to sew into the pattern?

7. Some people believe that during the American Civil War some quilt patterns were used as political statements or to provide "hidden messages". What do you think the people that created these Civil War Quilts were saying? What "hidden messages" might a quilt tell the person looking at the quilt?If this topic really interests you, consider studying it by using Mrs. O's track about Civil War Quilts. or Sylvia Poole's track on Slavery Quilts

Activity Three: Move through the learning track prepared by Diane Quirk. Click on each of the links in the left frame: Amish Quilts, Silk Quilts, Special Occasion Quilts, Quilt Styles, Classic Quilt Blocks and Guilt Gallery.

Bow Tie	Churn Dash	Crazy Quilt
	Jacob's Ladder	Nine Square
Ohio Star	Storm At Sea	Weather Vane