Bonnie Hunter

Partial Transcript: [Dowell]: Hello, I am Frances O'Roark Dowell, this is a Q.S.O.S, Quilters Save our Stories Oral History Interview with Bonnie Hunter.

Segment Synopsis: Frances O'Roark Dowell is interviewing Bonnie Hunter. Hunter begins talking about how she has documented antique quilts, blocks, and pieces at antique malls with her phone camera. She found the pattern for her touchstone quilt at an antique store, and created her touchstone quilt out of scrap fabrics named 'Unchained'. Hunter states that when people look at this quilt, they can see that she loves reclaimed fabrics, and has a large decade-spanning fabric stash.

Keywords: Fabric stash; Quilt design; Quilt patterns; Antique quilts

Subjects: Quilting; Quilts--United States; Textiles

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: So, it is a timeline. Where I am curious, you mention all these different places, you mention these stashes.

Segment Synopsis: Hunter states that she has a variety of places where she sources her fabric. She likes to use fabric from recycled clothing. She also lives near a retreat house and likes to source fabric from what people leave behind after a retreat. Additionally, she is sent fabric from people who know she collects scrap fabrics. She prefers 100% cotton fabrics.

When choosing fabrics Hunter tends to buy neutral fabrics, to bring unity to her quilts. She also likes fabric that features small details such as figures, numbers, or sayings that she feels represent her. When traveling, she likes to buy fabric that represents the place she has traveled to. Most of her fabric yardage she acquired in the early 2000s when she was raising her two teenage boys- she jokes that buying fabric at that time was 'self medicating'.

Keywords: Fabric selection; Fabric stash; Fabric/Quilt shops; Strip/string piecing; Work or studio space; Scrap quilts

Subjects: Textile fabrics; Quilting

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: When did you start quilting?

Segment Synopsis: Hunter began quilting around 1981, shortly after marrying her husband. She found a magazine in a grocery store, that featured a craft for a patchwork pillow. After completing this craft, she fell in love with patchwork and stated that making something with patchwork is part of her daily routine. Hunter states that for around six years (1992-1997) she designed patterns for dolls and stuffed animals, these patterns were published in the Butterick catalog. She states that she did not want to make a business out of quilting for fear of burnout.

Keywords: Learning quiltmaking; Parenting; Work and life balance

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: In some ways, this sounds like a silly question, but is quilting a business for you?

Segment Synopsis: Hunter said for many years quilting was very business-oriented, and overwhelming. She had book deadlines, magazine deadlines, travel, lectures, and workshops. About six years ago she started to scale down the business because she did not want to hire a staff. She decided to turn her attention to new designs, colors, blocks, and techniques. She still has a few business elements like publishing patterns, and being active on her blog and social media.

As part of a business, Hunter bought a house with her husband in Virginia to turn into a quilt retreat house that opened in 2020. She was motivated to start the retreat so she could teach quilting without traveling.

Keywords: Blogging; Quilt patterns; Quilt retreats; Quilt business

Subjects: Quilting arts workshop; Quilting today; Quilting

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: Have you ever used quilts to get through a difficult time?

Segment Synopsis: Hunter states that she has used quilts to get through a difficult time. A recent example is Hunter, along with other quilters, who created quilt blocks after Russia invaded Ukraine. The blocks were part of a sew-along called, Hearts of Hope, some of which were sent overseas.

When Hunter's brother was diagnosed with brain cancer, she made him a quilt.

Keywords: Family; Quilt purpose - Comfort; Quilt purpose - Gift or presentation; Family life

Subjects: Quilting today

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: I would love for you to talk about the importance of community in quiltmaking, in particular online community.

Segment Synopsis: Hunter states that she began using the internet around 1995, and collected with quilting communities around the world. She began using chat rooms and organizing swaps. She states that being able to connect with other quilters during the COVID-19 pandemic was meaningful. She has cultivated her quilting community, using Facebook.

Part of her community is organizing mystery quilt sew-alongs, especially during the holidays to cultivate community and social activity. The mystery-quilt sew-along involves publishing yardage, fabric, and clues on her blog starting on Halloween, with the final revel in the New Year. She enjoys the diversity of her community, which includes male quilters, couples, and groups. She states that she considers the diversity of her online community, and has rules around respecting others.

Keywords: Blocks; Challenges within the quilting community; Design process; Online quilt communities; Quilt design; Quilt patterns; Blogging

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Male quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: What do you think is the biggest challenge confronting quilt makers today?

Segment Synopsis: Hunter states that the biggest challenge for quilters today is the cost of materials and fabrics. She states that quilters who have been quilting for decades should look through their materials and consider it as scholarship for those new to the quilting community. She likes to design quilts that maximize fabric.

Keywords: Fabric stash; Scrap quilts; Shopping for fabric; Quilt design

Subjects: Quilting today

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: What do you think makes a great quilt? [Hunter]: No negative space

Segment Synopsis: Hunter appreciates quilts that have no negative space, she likes dynamic quilts that hold a viewer's interest. She likes quilts that inform the viewer about the makers.

Keywords: Kit quilts; Quilt patterns; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Quilt tops; Fabric stash

Subjects: Quilting shops; Quilting today

Partial Transcript: [O'Roark Dowell]: Why is quiltmaking important to your life?

Segment Synopsis: Hunter states that she can't imagine her life without quilting, quilting has given her the ability to form relationships and friendships. She states that she does not have a quilter in her family. She appreciates her quilt retreat house, to have in-person interaction and form relationships.

Keywords: Friendships through quilting; Online quilt communities; Love

Subjects: Quilting today; Quilting.