Singular Fascination

Singular Fascination

Photo of yo-yo quilt with graphic squares, triangles, rectangles and circles over it.

"Repetition is order—in words, in cadence, in fabric, in pattern. According to Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” The quilts of Singular Fascination are reflections of their makers’ habits: their perseverance, artistry, vision, and dedication. These quilts may have been the product of rote, even mindless, piecing—one patch following the next—or of a master plan and vision formed before the first seam. Either way, the stick-to-it-ive-ness of these makers created impressions that have lasted beyond their lifetimes, and touched the hearts and minds of textile enthusiasts today. How can so much variety and beauty be created with one simple piece—a triangle, a square, a hexagon, a circle—repeated over and over again? The shapes, the quilts, the makers are all fascinating to me, in their own way."

- Jennifer Keltner

Featured Media

Featured Media
Featured Media

Works in the Exhibition

Works in the Exhibition
Log Cabin, light and dark setting

Log Cabin, light and dark setting
Maker unknown
Circa 1890-1910
Probably made in New England
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0114

Birds in the Air

Birds in the Air
Possibly made by Mary Linderburger
Circa 1880-1900
Possibly made in New Jersey
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0731

Yo-yo

Yo-yo
Maker unknown
Circa 1930-1940
Possibly made in the Midwestern United States
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0896.1

Yo-yo

Yo-yo
Maker unknown
Circa 1915-1935
Possibly made in the Midwestern United States
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0896.2

Yo-yo

Yo-yo
Maker unknown
Circa 1915-1935
Possibly made in the Midwestern United States
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0896.3

Yo-yo

Yo-yo
Maker unknown
Circa 1930-1940
Possibly made in Illinois
Ardis and Robert James Collection 1997.007.0917

Fence Post

Fence Post
Maker unknown
Circa 1920-1940
Possibly made in Pennsylvania
Jonathan Holstein Collection 2003.003.0223

Four Patch

Four Patch
Maker unknown
Circa 1900-1920
Made in the United States
Catherine Anthony Collection. Gift of the Robert and Ardis James Foundation. 2005.007.0003

One Patch

One Patch
Maker unknown
Circa 1870-1890
Possibly made in Pennsylvania
Ardis and Robert James Collection 2006.043.0064

Hexagon

Hexagon
Maker unknown
Circa 1890-1910
Made in the United States
Ardis and Robert James Collection 2006.043.0086

One Patch

One Patch
Belle Ross
Circa 1950
Possibly made in Coffeyville, Kansas
Ardis and Robert James Collection 2006.043.0061

Sampler

Sampler
Maker unknown
Circa 1920-1940
Probably made in Indiana
Ardis and Robert James Collection 2006.043.0123

Triangles

Triangles
Maker unknown
Circa 1860-1880
Probably made in the United States
Byron and Sara Rhodes Dillow Collection 2008.040.0168

Trip Around the World

Trip Around the World
Ida Pricilla Williams Giebner
Circa 1900
Made in Kansas City, Kansas
Gift of Green and Louise Giebner 2010.057.0001

Hexagon

Hexagon
Possibly made by Cora James
Circa 1920
Possibly made in Ord, Nebraska
Gift of Ardis and Robert James 2013.049.0001

Flower Garden

Flower Garden
Maker unknown
Circa 1930-1940
Made in United States
Donation of the John R. Gillis Family 2015.034.0002

Bars

Bars
Maker unknown
Circa 1920-1940
Probably made in southern United States
Gift of Beth Brady 2016.055.0015

Works in the Exhibition

About the Guest Curator

About the Guest Curator
Portrait of guest curator Jennifer Keltner
About the Guest Curator

A 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, Jennifer Keltner brings to Martingale vast experience in editorial, management, and marketing. In her previous position as Crafts Group Content Chief at Meredith Corporation, Jennifer oversaw an expansive quilting and crafting media group, including magazines American Patchwork & Quilting, Quilt Sampler, and Quilts and More, websites AllPeopleQuilt.com and HowToSew.com, the annual book Quilt Lovers' Favorites, as well as calendars and special newsstand issues. Under Keltner's direction, the first-ever charitable Quilt for A Cure Quilt Block Challenge raised $100,000 for breast cancer research.

With a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Jennifer began her career with the Kansas City Star where she spent a decade in advertising sales. Her interest in crafting, quilting, and sewing brought her into the world of magazine publishing. Prior to joining Meredith, she worked for two different publishers focusing on sewing and crafting titles. She joined Meredith in 2000 and spent 14 years there in a variety of editorial and managerial roles before leaving to lead Martingale in April, 2014.

As Publisher and Chief Visionary Officer, Jennifer has led an overhaul of the publishing process at Martingale during her first 24 months. Key changes include strategic editorial planning to include key partnerships with industry leaders and authors who have a known audience; content/design improvements including more styled photography, how-to photography, and diversity in design; transition of editorial and design teams to InDesign platform; and hiring a new Director of Sales with experience in a variety of distribution channels new to Martingale.

Jennifer currently serves on the advisory board for the International Quilt Museum and on the board for International Quilt Association.

Gallery Photos

Gallery Photos
Gallery Photos
This exhibition was made possible through funding from the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this exhibition through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov for more information. Additional support provided by Friends of International Quilt Museum.
Event Date
Friday, May 4, 2018 to Thursday, August 30, 2018