international quilt study center and museum

My wife and I visited the IQSC for an open house. We had been there before, and this occasion was not less spectacular. It is the depository of a large quilt collection, and it is dedicated to preserving the quilting tradition and to communicating the history of America through that tradition. Each time we visit, there is a new exhibit of the quilts of the collection, and they tell stories of not only the people who made the quilts but also of the historical period when the quilts were made. I grew up visiting my grandmother who, on Wednesdays, hosted a quilting group. The women arrived at 830 with a covered dish for lunch, quilted until noon, then invited me to join them for their lunch. After I married, I took my wife to visit my grandmother, and my wife got hooked on quilting. Thus, an appreciation of quilting and piecing are in my blood and heritage, and the IQSC is a wonderful place to be nostalgic and to learn more about the heritage of the quilt. This is a must-see attraction in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The building is beautiful and adds to the experience. The quilt displays change frequently, so I've visited several times. They are adding to the display space so more quilts can be exhibited. Understand that this is a Quilt Study Center and Museum, so their goal is not to hang the more than 3,500 quilts in their collection all at once. Their goal is to promote quilt study and understanding through research, preservation, and exhibitions. That they can and do hang about 100 quilts at a time is a tribute to the time and energy they devote to each exhibit. If you just want to look at large numbers of quilts, head for a quilt show or the state fair. If you want to enrich your understanding of the history of quilting and view them in an exceptional setting with knowledgeable and pleasant hosts, visit the IQSCM.

Big changes coming - expanded display space. Slow season in January, so we got plenty of personal discussion time with the staff.

I've been in multiple times and always find different things to enjoy. The building itself is beautiful and is an inviting environment. The staff has always been very knowledgeable, friendly and kind. Each time I come in, there are new quilts to look at and appreciate. I'm so excited for the upcoming expansion and to see what else they have in store for the future.

PROS: Staff was friendly, bathrooms were immaculate and parking is available. I enjoyed the display of children’s sewing machines. (However, how these machines related to the history and/or art of quilting was not discussed).CONS: I was disappointed about the lack of quilts on display. The museum has less than 100 quilts in all viewing galleries, yet has more than 4000 in its collection. There is ample, unused room in which to display many more quilts, so I fail to understand why they don’t choose to do so. The gift shop was also painfully inadequate. It is almost as if the museum curator cares more about the architecture of the building and the expanse of openness within than the purpose for which it was built.

I'll start by saying that this won't be too in-depth because textiles and textile art aren't my thing, but I came with my girlfriend and really wasn't bored so that in itself is high praise. We did the self guided tour and I was impressed by the high quality of the exhibit format. The written descriptions sometimes boggled me with jargon, but I understood 95% and even learned a little. There is an addition being built now and I suspect it will make this museum twice as attractive.I was a little disappointed that no one was at work in the room where you can watch quilting and conservatorship but you can't have everything. They also offered children's classes to involve young people in the craft of quilting which is in my opinion is super cool, because I always need warm blankets.

I wish I lived closer so I could visit more frequently since the galleries are changed every few months. There must be so much to look at and learn in storage. The docent was very well versed in the presentation of the log cabin designs, signature quilts, and quilts from kits. The new expansion project will double the number of galleries available for viewing quilts. All the staff we encountered were friendly and knowledgeable.

There are over 5000 quilts available for display and over 100 on display at any given time. Displays change every 6 months. Docents are very friendly and well-informed. Quilts range from traditional offerings from the 1700's to modern day compositions. The entire museum is handicapped accessible and a nice gift shop is available.

The docent-led tour made this visit to the museum well worth the time. I might even suggest that if you can't take the informative tour, reschedule your visit. This is NOT a quilt show. The museum's purpose is to study/compare/preserve quilts and their history. Yes, there are some beautiful quilts, but more importantly, why they are on exhibit is their guiding principle. It's not just great-grandma's old quilt from the trunk in the attic.

We visited the museum at the tail end of our trip, and despite the docent's disparagement of regional museums, and even the National Quilt Museum, their exhibits were sparse and disappointing. Supposedly the museum has 4000 quilts in it's repository and yet they have less than 40 on display. Understanding that they are a study center attached to a university and that their first goal is preservation, preservation for what? Keeping 99% of their quilts in the vaults? Don't try to be a museum of items for display if you don't want to display them.We visited the Virginia Quilt Museum earlier in the trip and got much more satisfaction out of the visit. And have previously visited Paducah's National Quilt Museum and were quite impressed.

What a fantastic place to visit! Even if you don't like quilting, you'd love the history, world vision, and the amazing perspective this one man gives to such an art form! Knowing the displays change will certainly bring me back!

We visited this museum during a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska. Located on the East campus of the University of Nebraska, the museum offers a fasinating glimpse into the art of Quilting. The exhibit rooms are welcoming, small, and intimate, with comfortable benches in which to view these creations. The rooms are not arranged chronologically; each room offers a thematic exposition or specialized display of examples from the quilting art. On the day we visit, we were able to take a guided tour led by one of the docents, who helped us appreciate the artistry of the items on display. A gem of a museum, even if you are only tangentially interested. A definite discovery.

Easy access. It was a self guided tour for my wife and I. The quilts on display were amazing. Not that big, but still very nice.

I've wanted to visit this museum for years. Over 4000 quilts in their collection; sounds overwhelming but they have only a few on exhibit at any one time. I was lucky enough to see the exhibit of log cabin quilts, and a very interesting exhibit of whole cloth quilts. I also enjoyed the informational exhibit about how quilts can deteriorate and how to conserve your own quilts. A beautiful building. And a bonus: go for the homemade ice cream at the U of Nebraska Creamery, located nearby.

This museum is well worth a visit. I enjoyed the well displayed quilts and the information with each one. The building itself is also very interesting. I hope to visit again.