Iowa QuiltScape for April 14, 2020

Join us virtually on Friday

Friday • April 17 • 12:00pm CDT
Doreen Speckmann Remembered: Virtual Lunch-and-Learn with Iowa Quilt Museum and Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts

We had such a great turnout for our Lunch and Learn event on April 3rd that we reached our capacity and had to turn visitors away. So, we’re doing a “Take Two”!

Join us Friday, April 17, 2020, at noon CDT, for a virtual lunch-and-learn about decorated quilter Doreen Speckmann. Bring your lunch and enjoy a conversation between the Iowa Quilt Museum’s Marianne Fons and Megan Barrett and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts’ Emily Schlemowitz as they talk about Speckmann’s influential life and work amid the exhibition of her quilts, Doreen Speckmann Remembered. 

Known for her wit and wisdom, Speckmann was an avid teacher, who regularly led popular quilt cruises and international quilt tours. Doreen Speckmann Remembered features twenty-five years of her life’s work displayed for the first time since her untimely death in 1999. 

A Madison, Wisconsin-based artist, in 1985, as a relative newcomer to the quilting scene, she made a lasting impression on the judges of the first American Quilters’ Society national quilting competition in Paducah, Kentucky, where her innovative work, The Blade, won the professional patchwork category. 

After receiving the AQS honor, Speckmann was in high demand to teach. Endearing her to quilters the world over, she was recognized for her Birkenstocks, dance moves, and self-deprecating sense of humor. Marianne Fons recalls: “Doreen’s ability to poke fun at all of us by poking fun at herself—combined with her formidable patchwork and design skills—quickly made her one of the most popular quilters in America.” 

Tune in to hear personal recollections of Speckmann, discussions of her pioneering quilting techniques, and to view this incredible collection. The two cooperating museums are offering this conversation as a FREE event, with donations encouraged. All donations will be split equally between the two institutions to continue the vibrancy of our programs.

Doreen Speckmann Remembered has been on display at the Iowa Quilt Museum since early January and will be exhibited at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts from November 19, 2020, through January 31, 2021.

This virtual event will be hosted on Zoom video conferencing. Easy to use and reliable, Zoom is available to download for free on your PC/Mac or by using a dedicated app for iOS and Android. Before you join us, you will need to sign up for Zoom using a free Basic plan. Instructions for Zoom are available on the museum’s website.

Please join us on Friday, April 17, at noon CST, using the following link:

Topic: Doreen Speckmann Lunch-and-Learn
Time: Apr 17, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9821811355
Meeting ID: 982 181 1355


About the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts

The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts (WMQFA), located just east of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is dedicated to creating, preserving and displaying cultural treasures and educating the public about the artistic, cultural, historic and social importance of quilts and fiber arts. A primary mission is to teach people of all ages and abilities the time-honored traditions of fiber arts such as quilting, weaving, embroidery and knitting. Our 1850s farmstead setting has allowed us to combine preservation of craft with preservation of historical agriculture buildings, offering a unique setting for enjoying an afternoon, taking a class, attending a lecture, or playing in a farm setting. The WMQFA is a non-profit 501 (3)c business. For more information go to www.wiquiltmuseum.com.

More instructions about how to use Zoom:

Thank you for coming along as we navigate our new virtual learning! When you join one of our programs (referred to as a meeting in Zoom), we will do a brief greeting, and then ask you to mute your microphones for optimal sound quality. With the Zoom meeting active, as you hover your mouse over the bottom of the page, you will click the icon of a microphone. We will have moderators standing by to assist you with this process. 

We encourage you to ask questions at any time, by using the Chat feature or by simply raising your hand via the hand signal and turning your microphone back on. 

Once you have downloaded the program, Zoom allows you to test your Internet connection by joining a test meeting.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via info@WIQuiltMuseum.com.


Man Made

Coming to the Iowa Quilt Museum soon!

Although it’s been delayed a few weeks, we’ll soon be installing our next exhibit, Man Made, Featuring both historic and contemporary quilts made by men, this display will contain over two dozen exquisite works of art. We’re still not open to the public, but we’re working on plans to bring more virtual programming to you, our friends and fans!


Shop the Iowa Quilt Museum Gift Shop

Support the IQM, support artists, find treasures!

Since we can’t welcome you to our actual gift shop right now, we’re taking our inventory online! Take a look at our wide selection of quilts and gift items and pick out something for yourself or a friend. With each purchase you’ll be supporting the Iowa Quilt Museum and, since many of our items are made by local quilters and artisans, your support will extend to them as well! Right now, shipping is just $5 on all orders. We’ve already added tons of items and we’ll be adding even more this week.


Thank you for reading Iowa QuiltScape.
Get out and enjoy some quilts!

Iowa QuiltScape is a feature of the Iowa Quilt Museum’s periodical e-newsletter, and will highlight quilting events happening all around the state. The goal of Iowa QuiltScape is to provide a central place for Iowa quilting organizations to share upcoming events and help quilters and quilter lovers across Iowa reach a broader audience.
If you have an event you would like to share via Iowa QuiltScape, send your information to
Museum Director Megan Barrett: director@iowaquiltmuseum.org.
If you’re reading this but it didn’t come to your inbox, use the Email Signup form on the top of this page to make sure you’re on the list and don’t miss out on any Iowa QuiltScape news!

2 Responses

  1. Connie Bandstra
    | Reply

    Are u guy open, I know the quilt shop in Ottumwa is open, thought about coming up I know everything is on shut down just bored to death

    • Megan Barrett
      | Reply

      Unfortunately we’re not open, Connie. We hope you’ll be able to visit at a later time, though!

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