World War I, also referred to as the “Great War,” greatly impacted American quiltmaking.  From April 1917 to March 1919, women created quilts and textiles that read as historic documents, revealing the many ways quiltmakers responded to the war: telling heartbreaking stories of loss, expressing rousing patriotic messages and raising significant funds to support the Red Cross. With their quiltmaking skills, women contributed thousands of quilts for one of the greatest benevolent efforts of the twentieth century.

Collector and scholar Sue Reich built outstanding collections of both World War I and World War II quilts and textiles. In 2022, both of Reich’s collections were donated to the International Quilt Museum. Reich continues to support U.S. soldiers through the Quilts of Valor program, making quilts to give to Service Members or Veterans who have been touched by war. 

September 8, 2023 - April 13, 2024
Coryell Gallery