Quilting History: From the 1930s to Today (Part 2) with Emily of Patchwork Revival

In this special crossover episode, I’m joined by Emily, host of the Patchwork Revival podcast, as we continue our conversation on the history of quilting in America.This is Part 2 of our series, so if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to head over to the Patchwork Revival podcast first—we cover early American quilting through the 1930s and set the stage for everything we dive into here.In this episode, we pick up in the 1930s and explore how quilting evolved through the Great Depression, World War II, the Quilt Revival of the 1970s, and into the modern quilting world we know today. We talk about how quilters adapted during times of scarcity, how community shifted from small local groups to nationwide connections, and how quilting grew into the creative, expressive craft we love today.We also chat about quilting co-ops, feed sack quilts, the rise of quilt guilds and shows, and how television (hello PBS!) helped shape how generations of quilters learned new skills.This episode is all about connection—how quilters have always found ways to gather, create, and share knowledge, even as the world around them changed.In This Episode, We Cover:Quilting during the Great Depression and WPA-era programsFeed sack quilts and resourcefulness in times of scarcityQuilting co-ops and community-based incomeThe Quilt Revival of the 1970s and the BicentennialThe rise of quilt guilds, shows, and exhibitionsLearning through television with early quilting showsHow quilting shifted from necessity to creative expression🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:Listen to Part 1 on the Patchwork Revival podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patchwork-revival-a-quilting-podcast/id1729505286Patchwork Revival Podcast: https://patchworkrevivalstudios.com/podcastPatchwork Revival Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchworkrevivalstudiosPatchwork Revival Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PatchworkRevivalStudiosInternational Quilt Museum: https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.orgA New Deal for Quilts by Janneken SmuckerOld Patchwork Quilts and the Women Who Made Them by Ruth FinleyThe Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America by Carrie Hall & Rose KretsingerLet’s Keep Exploring:If you loved this episode, come join me inside Quilt Scouts where we turn ideas like this into hands-on projects, badges, and creative adventures.And if this episode sparked something for you, I’d love to hear—what part of quilting history surprised you the most?