American Puzzle Quilt
This quilt was designed, directed, and assembled by Martha Young. Individual pieces of the puzzle were created by: Jan Burgwinkle, Alisen Butcher, Lois Carroll, Julie Clemens, Iris Eichenberger, Dorothy Fusselman, Joanne Ivancic, Barb Lind, Jan Mausky, Roxana Moore, Doris Nelson, Karen Pollard, Judy Smith, Martha Young.
Each quilter was given a muslin puzzle piece pattern with instructions to create a block representing an indigenous group or an immigrant group to America. Their chosen country or culture could be represented either through imagery or using a textile technique unique to that culture. On the back of the quilt is written each artist's statement regarding her piece of the puzzle. The border of stars and stripes holds all the pieces together. Though each piece of the puzzle has its own distinctive look and story, the puzzle shape indicates the mingling of the hopes and dreams of each culture, resulting in the messy, sprawling, sometimes fractious, but United (,) States of America.
