Miriam Nathan Roberts

Miriam Nathan Roberts

2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049
QSOS_058

Roberts is an art quilter. She creates quilts that play with depth perception, which is something she lacks. Her quilts are very contemporary and unique. She uses quilting as a way to deal with depression. She teaches design at a junior college where she lives, and she occasionally teaches quilting.

audio

Quilts.

Quilting arts workshop

Quiltmakers.

Quilting.

Quilt Expo

Quilts in art

Quilts--Design.

Quilting--United States--Patterns.

Textiles.

Arts and crafts.

Miriam Nathan Roberts

Amy Henderson

Karen Alexander

5.3 2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049 Interview with Miriam Nathan Roberts, October 23, 1999 2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049 qsosiqf Quilt Alliance’s Quilters' S.O.S.- Save Our Stories Oral History Project: International Quilt Festival Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Quilts. Quilting arts workshop Quiltmakers. Quilting. Quilt Expo Quilts in art Quilts--Design. Quilting--United States--Patterns. Textiles. Arts and crafts. Quilts Art quilts Depression Houston (Tex.) Textiles and design Miriam Nathan Roberts Amy Henderson 2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049_roberts_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049_roberts_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 2 Creating depth through visual illusions My name is Amy Henderson. Roberts created a quilt after an earthquake called &quot ; Tectonic Boogie.&quot ; She put loops on it so she wouldn't lose them and then ended up creating something entirely new. Her lack of depth perception allows her to play with visual illusions in her quilts, creating shadows where there are none and making interesting patterns. Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Backing ; Batting ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Illusions ; Interweaves ; Loops ; Machine applique ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Shadows ; Strip piecing ; Tectonic Boogie ; Visual planes Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 237 Cool colors reflecting the Pittsburgh community Can you tell me about the colors that you chose? Roberts uses cool colors in her quilt, which stand out among the traditionally warm pallet of the quilts around her. Her color choice reflects her home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and its steel production. Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Coolness ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Pittsburgh (Pa.) ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Steel ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Textiles Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 324 Museums and audiences So you said you hang this quilt in your living room. Do you have any other kind of plans for it? Roberts thinks her quilt is special enough to be purchased by a museum. She would only part with it for that reason. She worries about losing her audience as she strays further from traditional quilting. Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Audiences ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Interests ; Major collectors ; Museums ; Quilt collectors ; Quilt museums ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Textiles Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 381 Style development and tribute quilts Now, if you could go where, where your heart takes you, where do you see your quilt making evolving and developing in the next couple of years? Roberts doesn't know where her quilting will take her next, as her tastes and techniques are always changing. She created a quilt as a tribute to pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and to the future generations of artists to come. Art quilts ; Artists ; Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Developments ; Millennium ; Pop artists ; Roy Lichtenstein ; Tributes Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 432 Fabric as accessible art How do the--how have those artists such as Lichtenstein influenced your artwork? Roberts has a degree in textiles and design, which led to her love for fabric. Even in her paintings, she tries to expose the texture of the canvas. Art quilts ; Arts ; Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Fibers ; Histories ; Painting ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Relatable ; Sealing ; Teaching ; Textiles Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 586 Connecting to women through quilting Do you s, do you see yourself as an artist or as a craftsperson? Roberts sees herself as a quilter and an artist. She feels connected to women and their history and art through her quilt making. Alikeness ; Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Mediums ; Motherhood ; Priorities ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Religions ; Separations ; Tangible feelings ; Traditions ; Women's art ; Women's history Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 801 Quilt National quilts Tell me about that first quilt you made right after your son was born. What did it look like? Roberts designed and created a quilt right after her son was born. It was then accepted to Quilt National, but it did not win. 3-D ; 3-dimensional ; 3D ; Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Awards ; Children ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Interweaves ; Quilt National ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 https://dairybarn.org/quilt-national/history/archive/#83 The Quilt National archives, showing the winners from the year that Robert's first quilt was accepted. 874 Bond with women through quilting Tell me a little bit more about your--about the bond with women that you feel quilt making allows you to have, both women in the past and women today. What is special about that bond, and I guess how does it feel? What do, what do you get from that? Roberts came to Houston by herself, but she felt at home with her fellow quilters. Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Awards ; Bonds ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Hotels ; Houston (Tex.) ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 956 Family history in quilting Tell me about the--your--either your earliest quilt memory or when you started to make quilts. Robert's mother migrated from Russia to the United States, which humbles her and her relationship with fabric. Her son's creativity reflects that of his grandfather, who was a talented artist and teacher. Arts and crafts ; Craftsperson ; Creativity ; English ; Fabrics ; Fruits ; Immigration ; Mothers ; Needlewomen ; Photography ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Riches ; Russia ; Scribes ; Teaching ; Woodshops Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1166 Making her first quilt When did you make your first quilt? Roberts started her sewing career with needlepoint, until one day she decided to make a quilt with her first initial on it. She made the templates herself, but the quilt ended up being very uncomfortable. Art quilts ; Batting ; Corduroys ; Fabrics ; M quilt ; Masonites ; Needlepoint ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Remnants ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Templates ; Textiles Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1258 Friends and family's involvement in quilting Do any other other members your--of your family or your close friends, are they involved in quilting? Roberts has many close friends in the quilting industry, but none of her family members are involved in quilting. Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Curtains ; Drama ; Family members ; Friends ; Projects ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1332 Most-liked aspects of quilting What do you like most about quilting? Roberts likes feeling the fabrics and touching them. Quilts are very useful for her travels when she teaches, because she is able to use them as a blanket as well as a tool for her classes. Seeing her design ideas come to fruition is also an aspect of quilting that Roberts enjoys. Arts and crafts ; Combinations ; Creativity ; Fabrics ; Feelings ; Packing ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Stitching ; Teaching ; Techniques ; Textiles ; Uses Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1374 Passersby acknowledge Roberts' design qualities and quilting accomplishments [Laughter] That's you! Roberts pauses her interview to interact with appreciative passerby. She says that every design takes as long as she has been quilting because she builds on herself with each new quilt. Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Fabrics ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Textiles Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1451 Least-liked aspects of quilting What do you like least about quilting? Roberts doesn't enjoy putting labels or rod pockets on her quilts. She also has an untidy workspace, so clearing enough room to square up her quilts is not an enjoyable process for her, either. Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Fabrics ; Hanging quilts ; Labels ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Rod pockets ; Squaring up ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Textiles ; Wall quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1521 What makes a quilt great What do you think makes a great quilt? Or a quilt artistically powerful? Roberts thinks a great quilt is created through its method of design. A clear focus is key. Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Confusions ; Conversations ; Creativity ; Designs ; Exhibits ; Fabrics ; Focuses ; Lines ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Repetitions ; Responsibilities ; Rhythms ; Stitching ; Techniques ; Textiles ; Variations Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1604 Color and value What role does color play? Roberts thinks that value is more powerful than color in art. Arts and crafts ; Colors ; Creativity ; Designs ; Emotions ; Fabrics ; Journeys ; Lights ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Relativisms ; Value ; Value shifts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1673 Contrast between cool colors and warm quilts Have you ever thought about the contrast between your tendency to use cool colors, and your love of the warmth of the quilt? Roberts likes to toy with the contrast between her cooler color pallet and the actual, physical warmth of the quilt itself. Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Colds ; Colors ; Contrasts ; Creativity ; Designs ; Fabrics ; Portraits ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Stones ; Warmth Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1726 What makes a quilter great Um, the other followup question I would've asked earlier, but I kind of meandered around it: What do you think makes a great quilter? Roberts says that she has never met a quilter who wasn't great. Arts and crafts ; Awards ; Creativity ; Houston ; Opening Quilt National ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilting conferences ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1851 Familial support in quiltmaking Do you feel like your, your family really supports your quiltmaking? Roberts has a very supportive husband when it comes to quilt making. Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Dinner party ; Husbands ; Local papers ; Newspapers ; Quilt awards ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1885 Balancing time between work and creativity Do you feel like you have to balance your time between teaching design versus your own creativity and outlet for your quilts? Roberts thinks that she isn't any different than any other women when it comes to time management because every woman has to juggle their time. Balances ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Times ; Women Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1914 Preserving quilts How do you think quilts should be preserved for the future? And should they be preserved? Roberts thinks quilts should be preserved and carefully so. Future uses ; Museums ; Preservation ; Quilt preservations ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 1941 Being confident as an artist Do you have any questions you're dying to ask? Roberts encourages future quilters to be outgoing with their art because of her own limitations and insecurities. Arts ; Arts and crafts ; Chances ; Creativity ; Fabrics ; Fears ; Future quiltmakers ; Insecurities ; Potentials ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Uncomfortable ; Women Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 2073 Tips for being an artist Do you have any tips for them to jump over the, the hurdle? In order to become a confident artist, Roberts says to take the quilt a little less seriously and allow some freedom in the creative process. Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Freedom ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Tips Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 2088 Quilter's block How do you deal with, uh, quilter's block, let's call it. Roberts experiences quilter's block at the end of every piece, and she has to create something else in order to overcome it. Arts and crafts ; Creativity ; Depressions ; Fabrics ; Painting ; Plates ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Studios ; Utility quilts Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 2135 Depression's influences on quilting You mentioned depression a couple times. Roberts has used quilts as a creative outlet to work through difficult times in her life, including stress about wars and her father's death. After the Fall ; Art quilts ; Arts and crafts ; Bombs ; Bosnia ; Creativity ; Depressions ; Hand quilting ; Killings ; Leafleting ; Leaflets ; Monoprinting ; Quilters ; Quilting ; Quilts ; Rwanda Arts and crafts. ; Quilt Expo ; Quilting arts workshop ; Quilting--United States--Patterns. ; Quilting. ; Quiltmakers. ; Quilts in art ; Quilts--Design. ; Quilts. ; Textiles. 17 interview Roberts is an art quilter. She creates quilts that play with depth perception, which is something she lacks. Her quilts are very contemporary and unique. She uses quilting as a way to deal with depression. She teaches design at a junior college where she lives, and she occasionally teaches quilting. No transcript. All rights to the Quilters' S.O.S. -- Save Our Stories (QSOS) oral history project, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred from the Quilt Alliance to the University of Kentucky Libraries. Please contact the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History regarding rights pertaining to individual interviews. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049_roberts_ohm.xml 2019oh0565_qsosiqf0049_roberts_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7qz8d1bd0z2

Quilts

Art quilts

Depression

Houston (Tex.)

Textiles and design