Interview with Helen Young Frost, November 2, 2001

Interview Summary

Helen Young Frost discusses her quilt, “A World of Flowers,” which she started in 1992 for a class she taught at Quilt Expo Europa, then later modified it to make more contemporary. It is hand appliqued and hand quilted. Most of Frost’s books are about strip piecing, but she has also co-authored books on hand applique and hand quilting. She and quilter Debbie Gordon saw a need for books on heirloom-quality baby quilts. Frost has quilted since high school, learning traditional patchwork and how to draft her own blocks. Her mother, Blanche Young, taught quiltmaking, and Frost became a teacher when the American Bicentennial spurred interest in traditional quilting. She and her sister Dalene Young Stone have co-authored books with her mother, noted quiltmaker Blanche Young. Frost and her mother pursue different methods of strip piecing. Another sister is a professional machine quilter. Frost describes balancing family life with the demands of being a “celebrity quilter” who travels and participates in numerous quilt shows. Like other quilters, she used quiltmaking to help her deal with her feelings after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Frost discusses what makes a great quilt, the preservation of quilts, machine versus hand quilting, and taking inspiration for her quilts from the Southwest region. She talks about quilting as her livelihood.

Interview Keyword

Quilt purpose - Teaching or learning sample Hand applique Hand appliqué “A World of Flowers” A World of Flowers (Quilt) Hand quilting Strip/string piecing Blanche Young Family Mothers Dalene Young Stone Lynette Young Bingham Sisters September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001. Quilt shows/exhibitions Work-life balance Jinny Beyer Long arm quilting Machine quilting “Waiting for Rain” Waiting for Rain (Quilt) “Desert Shadow” Desert Shadow (Quilt) “Fire in the Sky” Fire in the Sky (Quilt) “Arizona Star” Arizona Star (Quilt) 100 years--100 quilts : Arizona Centennial Quilt Project (Book) “100 years--100 quilts : Arizona Centennial Quilt Project” Southwest

Interview LC Subject

Quilting Quilts--Design. Applique--Patterns. Quilters Quilting. Quiltmakers Quiltmaking Quiltmaking process Quilts Appliqué--Patterns. Quilting--United States--Patterns. Strip quilting Authors and publishers. Authors. Writing Families.

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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