Interview with Susan Derkacz, November 2, 2001

Interview Summary

Sandy Mehall interviews Susan Derkacz, a quilt maker, for the Quilters' S.O.S. Oral History Project. Derkacz discusses many aspects of quilting, including technical aspects such as machine vs. hand quilting, the importance of craftsmanship in quilting, and the techniques she used in creating the quilt she brought to discuss in the interview. She also talks about the cultural aspects of quilting, including stories behind quilts, the importance of quilts in American women's history, and how quilts should be conserved for the future in museums and cultural exhibits. Derkacz talks about her personal experiences with quilting, like discussing the first quilt she created and how quilting has impacted and influenced her family life.

Interview Keyword

Quilting techniques Hand quilting Machine quilting Cultural history Craft history Women and quilting Cultural aspects of quilting Catharsis in crafting Quilt stories Quilting in American culture Proper care of quilts

Interview LC Subject

Quilts Quilting Textiles Textile artists Decorative arts Crafts & decorating Women Artists Women’s voices Creativity American women, 1600-1900 Southwestern States. Families Gifts

Interview Rights

All rights to the Quilters' S.O.S. -- Save Our Stories (QSOS) oral history project, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred from the Quilt Alliance to the University of Kentucky Libraries. Please contact the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History regarding rights pertaining to individual interviews.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.