Jeananne Wright

Contact Information:

1152 E. 4th Avenue
Longmont, Colorado  80501
303-772-7684
 
    I grew up on a ranch in northeastern Colorado and have always appreciated and respected the calmness, serenity, and patterns of the prairie.  I made most of my clothes before I went to college, and the Wards catalog, for its fabric, was my favorite book.  My husband Ted and I are retired school teachers and have three grown and married children, two sons and a daughter, and six grandchildren, including triplet girls born in 2002.  In addition to teaching, I owned antique stores in Denver and Central City for thirteen years.  Family, church, friends, appraising and lecturing about quilts, volunteering, and golf keep my happily busy.
    I made my first quilt in 1963, before I had children.  Now I enjoy making reproductions of old quilts for books and exhibits.  I am an avid collector of old quilts and an historian and researcher and have written for both Quilter's Newsletter Magazine and Quiltmaker.  I have curated exhibits, including  Primedia Galleries, and the  Western Nebraska Museum of Art.  My antique collection has been exhibited many times in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
 
 
 
    INTERESTS
   
    I am a quilt historian, researcher, collector, appraiser, and lecturer.  Much of time is spent researching my antique quilts and their makers.  I have been lecturing since 1994 and have eleven different programs/lectures.  All are given in costume.
 
l.  QUILTS THAT SETTLED THE WEST
        Examine 1840-1870 quilts and trace the westward movement of our country, focusing on the Oregon/California Trails.  Learn what kind of quilts were taken West, how they were used, and who made.  Slide and trunk show
 
2.  GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS....CIVIL WAR QUILTS
        Quilts and Civil War history are woven in a way that will enlighten and entertain.  Find out what kinds of quilts were made on the home front for soldiers and view quilts and flags from Jeananne's collection.  Slide and trunk show
 
3.  BLESSINGS AND BEDCOVERS
        This program encompasses 200 years of quilt history as Jeananne shares poignant stories of quilts in her collection.  Each is accompanied by a Bible verse, and the program is filled with humor and wisdom.  Slide and trunk show
 
4..WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN? THE HISTORY OF TEXTILES AND QUILTS
        Explore the fascinating history of textiles and quilting by examining the major time periods of textile history.  Trunk show
 
5.  UNDER THE COVERS! 
        Uncover the mysteries of old quilts and textiles using authentic examples.  Learn the basics of dating and identifying quilts and fabrics.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own quilts for identification.  Slide and trunk show
 
6.  AMISH QUILTS, AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
        Learn about the development of Amish quiltmaking traditions and styles.  Explore regional differences in Amish quilts and learn about Amish culture and traditions.  Jeananne brings some authentic Amish quilts and 14 miniature  Amish quilts/  Trunk show
 
7.  QUILTS IN OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
        Examine Jeananne's rare collection of old photos and tintypes, each using a quilt as a background or prop.  Learn about early photography and why quilts were used in photos.  Slide and trunk show
 
8.  PRE-CIVIL WAR QUILTS AND TEXTILES
        This is an entertaining, in-depth study of pre-Civil War quilts and textiles.  Learn about black and early roller printed fabrics;  dyes; homespun and home woven textiles; and quilt styles preceding the Civil War.  Trunk show
 
9.  POST-CIVIL WAR QUILTS
        Trace the history of quiltmaking from the end of the Civil War until World War II.  Explore 75 years of styles, colors, textiles, and more--from Krazy Quilts to Kit quilts!  A hands-on approach allows audience participation.  Trunk show
 
10. TALE OF THE THREAD:  STORIES IN STITCHES
        Similar to "Blessings and Bedcovers," this program emphasizes the history and genealogy of the quilts and their makers in Jeananne's antique quilt collection.  Jeananne weaves history and stories in a way that entertains and educates.  Slide and trunk show
 
11.  A TIME LESS REMEMBERED:  QUILTMAKING, 1940-1970
        Why were quilts out of vogue during this 30-year period, and why was quiltmaking revived about 1970?  Take a nostalgic journey through the 40s, 50s, and 60s as Jeananne traces the nation's history and reviews styles and trends.  Slide and trunk show