Crews' Nebraska Lecture April 17 focuses on quilts, quilt makers

University of Nebraska-Lincoln textiles scientist Patricia Cox Crews will discuss how quilts reflect American culture and the lives of quilt makers during the spring Nebraska Lecture April 17.

The free public lecture, "Quilts: Reflections of Trade, Technology and Tradition," will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Auditorium, 1400 R St., with a reception following. The presentation is part of The Nebraska Lectures: Chancellor's Distinguished Lecture Series.

Crews will discuss how quilts reveal their makers' geographic, ethnic, religious and political affiliations, as well as their access to materials and technology. Regional variations in patterns, fabric and threading reveal a great deal about how the makers lived, she said.

"Most women left few records prior to the 20th century. The objects they made are some of the best documents from which to glean insights about their lives," said Crews, a Willa Cather professor in textiles, clothing and design and director of UNL's International Quilt Study Center and Museum.

Throughout her career, Crews has combined her interests in the science and history of textiles. Her scholarship in textiles history has focused on American quilts. She has written numerous publications and prize-winning books on the history, conservation and performance of textiles.

Crews joined the UNL faculty in 1984 and became a full professor in 1996. A year later, she became founding director of the quilt study center. With a collection of more than 2,300 quilts, the center holds the world's largest public collection of antique and contemporary quilts.

The Nebraska Lectures feature distinguished UNL faculty, are designed for general audiences and provide insights about some of the university's leading research, scholarly and creative activity. Lectures are sponsored by the Office of the Chancellor, the UNL Research Council and the Office of Research.