Quilt Documentation Day

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main is hosting a Quilt Documentation Day on Saturday, October 24, and it's one of those events that works as both a service and a social. The day is led by quilt documentarian Jill Mezaros, and the whole thing is open to the public.

The main draw is the documentation part: visitors bring in family quilts to be documented, photographed, and preserved. The records go into the library's Digital Community Collection and the Quilt Index, so that family history gets a permanent spot in a public archive rather than just sitting in a cedar chest. If you've got a quilt that's been passed down through generations and you've wondered how to actually save the story behind it, this is the day to do it. You'll need to register on your profile to book an appointment, so don't just show up with a quilt under your arm and expect to be seen—get your slot on the calendar first.

Even if you don't have a quilt to bring, there's still a reason to stop by. While you're there, you can head up to the third floor and browse exhibitions from local quilting guilds and sewing groups. It's a good chance to see what the city's quilting community is actually making and to meet some of the people behind the work. Between the documentation happening downstairs and the guild displays upstairs, the day pulls together two different sides of the craft: the preservation of old family pieces and the ongoing work of local makers.

It's all happening at the Main branch in Oakland on Saturday, October 24, and admission is free.