Interview with Mary Stori, February 20, 2008

Partial Transcript: This is Karen Musgrave and I'm doing a Quilters' S.O.S. Save our Stories interview with Mary Stori.

Segment Synopsis: Musgrave introduces Mary Stori. Stori describes her quilt, "Brain Cramps", which she made for Ami Simms' "Alzheimers Forgetting Piece by Piece" touring quilt show. She discusses being invited by Simms to participate in the show, and her mother's history with Alzheimers.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece; Ami Simms; Art quilts; Brain Cramps; Pictorial quilts; Quilt shows/exhibitions

Subjects: Quilts--United States--Exhibitions

Partial Transcript: Tell me about the design process

Segment Synopsis: Stori talks about the inspiration for her quilt, "Brain Cramps," and the techniques she used to create it. She embellished the quilt with watch parts, beads, and applique pieces featuring words printed with rubber stamps.

Keywords: Arrows; Embellishment techniques; Fabric - Stamped; Hand applique; Machine quilting; Reverse applique; Rick rack; Watches

Partial Transcript: Did your Mom ever see the quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Stori describes when her mother, who suffered from Alzheimers, saw the quilt. She also discusses how the exhibition offered support for other families who have been affected by the disease and hope for better outcomes in the future.

Keywords: Families; Mothers; Parents; Quilt Purpose - Therapy; Quiltmaking for family; Support

Partial Transcript: What are your plans for this quilt when you get it back?

Segment Synopsis: Stori discusses the idea of auctioning her quilt for charity, although the subject matter is personal. The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is a non-profit organization. She would like to auction quilts from the exhibition to raise more money for Alzheimer's research.

Keywords: Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative; Auctions; Quilt Purpose - Charity; Quilt shows/exhibitions

Partial Transcript: Have you seen the exhibit?

Segment Synopsis: Stori describes her experience of seeing the exhibit in person and knowing about the other artists' stories. She helped hang the traveling exhibit twice. Stori discusses one of her favorite quilts in the exhibit, "A Porsche Problem" by Georgia Bonesteel. She also tells about her family's difficult experience with not allowing her mother to drive due to Alzheimer's.

Keywords: A Porsche Problem; Georgia Bonesteel; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Quilting Highway

Partial Transcript: Tell me about people's reactions to the exhibit when you were there.

Segment Synopsis: Stori describes the range of emotions expressed in the exhibit's quilts. She explains how the exhibit provides viewers a chance to reflect on their thoughts and feelings about Alzheimer's. She views the exhibit as positive and a success because it provoked emotions from viewers and brought attention to the disease.

Partial Transcript: So there's a CD where each one of the artists had to read their artist statement. Tell me about that experience for you.

Segment Synopsis: Stori describes the process of writing and recording her artist statement for the exhibit. She had previous experience speaking at home and garden shows, and she has her own DVD. She explains how the CD allows viewers to hear the quilt makers' voices and adds an extra element of emotion to the exhibit. The books provide educational information about Alzheimer's along with images of the quilts and written artists' statements. As an example, Stori explains how the written information was helpful for understanding her mother-in-law's dementia, in addition to her mother's Alzheimer's.

Keywords: Artists' statements

Subjects: Alzheimer's disease--Popular works; Brain--Wounds and injuries; Dementia

Partial Transcript: Let's move into your involvement in quiltmaking, so tell me about your interest.

Segment Synopsis: Stori explains her initial displeasure with sewing when she was in school. Quilting is now her career. She authors quilt books, travels for workshops, and gives lectures. Stori discusses how she began quilting while recovering from back surgery. Her mother-in-law encouraged her to start quilting. Before quilting professionally, she worked for an airline and owned a cooking school. She discusses making the transition from cooking to quilting, especially with embellishments.

Keywords: Applique; Beads; Cooking; Embellishment techniques; Hand quilting; Home economics; Mothers; Parents; Patchwork quilts; Pillows

Subjects: Quiltmakers--United States

Partial Transcript: So describe your studio.

Segment Synopsis: Stori recently moved to the mountains of North Carolina. Her studio is in a loft area at home. She describes the size of her studio, its layout, her equipment, storage, and figuring out the right lighting. She shares tips for organizing materials and making them accessible for quilting.

Keywords: Home studio; Quiltmaking process; Studio quilt artists; Teaching quiltmaking; Work or studio space

Subjects: Art quilts; Arts and crafts.; Quilting--Vocational guidance

Partial Transcript: So why is quiltmaking important to you?

Segment Synopsis: Stori describes her enjoyment of the quiltmaking process. She enjoys the creativity and problem-solving that quiltmaking offers. She also enjoys the tangible process of quiltmaking and takes pride in seeing her finish products.

Keywords: Art quiltmaking; Contentment; Female quiltmakers; Gender roles; Quilt purpose - Art or personal expression; Studio quilt artists

Partial Transcript: How has quiltmaking impacted your family?

Segment Synopsis: Stori tells about how quiltmaking has impacted her family. Her son once met Jinny Beyer on an airplane and knew who she was because of Stori's involvement in the quiltmaking community. Stori made an agreement with her husband to travel less for quiltmaking workshops after he retired, but still travels about once a month.

Keywords: Children; Family; Family life; Jinny Beyer; Parents; Teaching quiltmaking

Subjects: Quilting arts workshop; Women textile designers

Partial Transcript: What do you think is the biggest challenge confronting quiltmakers today?

Segment Synopsis: Stori explains that quilters can feel pressured to produce a lot of quilts quickly or create award-winning quilts. She supports quilting as a hobby and thinks there are challenges when quiltmakers are too focused on quality or quantity. More quiltmakers are also quilt instructors now, which can take away from the enjoyment of the process. Musgrave and Stori talk about changes in society and how that has impacted the product-focused mentality of quilters.

Keywords: Challenges within the quilting community; Hobby; Quilt purpose - Personal enjoyment; Quiltmaking process; Teaching quiltmaking; Technology in quiltmaking

Subjects: Craft and art; Quilting--Vocational guidance

Partial Transcript: This is a little bit off the subject, but I just started blogging.

Segment Synopsis: Stori discusses her motivations for starting a blog, "The Inside Stori." Blogging gives her a place to feature her work from over the years, including a quilt that she recently sold, "Party Animals." She talks about her considerations when asked to sell the quilt. Blogging has also inspired her to take pictures and enjoy more small moments in life. Stori describes how technology has changed the way she teaches quiltmaking techniques.

Keywords: Blogging; Blogs; Contentment; Digital archiving; Party Animals; Photography/Photo transfer; Quiltmaking process; Selling quilts; Teaching quiltmaking; Technology in quiltmaking; The Inside Stori

Subjects: Art quilts

Partial Transcript: Well we've actually spend almost fifty minutes together, so I'm going to conclude this interview.

Segment Synopsis: Musgrave concludes the interview with Stori. Stori thanks Musgrave for volunteering to document the Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece exhibit.

Keywords: Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece