Quilting fads are topic for exhibit

“Fabulous Fads” is the theme for the latest exhibit at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Museum.

The exhibit, which runs through May 14, presents quilting trends from throughout the ages as seen by quilts from the collections of the museum and Carol Butzke.

Fads can be defined as arbiters of ideas and ideals, both personal and communal.

Crazy quilts, for instance, derive their allover pieced designs from treasured fabrics given as gifts and exchanges with friends, gleaned from family and purchased from scrap bags. During the Great Depression era, they became the repositories of repurposed fabrics from wool and cutoffs from garments.

Charm Quilts which consist of 1,000 different examples of fabrics, were tokens of women’s collections and friendship, while album, inscribed, and redwork quilts could be commemorative, celebratory or made for a cause, and frequently represented the bonds of a community.

The exhibit looks at fads from the 19th and early 20th centuries and how they have been interpreted through the years — including modern times.

The celebrated styles include albums, charms, crazies, inscribed, friendship, redwork and red, green, and white quilts.

Co-curated by nationally-regarded quilt appraiser, collector, researcher and teacher Carol Butzke and Senior Curator Emily Schlemowitz, the exhibit illustrates the ways quilters follow a trend while making it their own.

The museum at N50 W5050 Portland Rd. is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays

For more information, visit www.wiquiltmuseum.com, email  info@wiquiltmuseum.com or call (262) 546-0300.