In Its National Tour, Quilt Stories Makes a Stop in Lakewood

Eliza Fernand has been building a patchwork during the past couple months, stitch by stitch. She’s traveled more than 5,000 miles visiting cities and towns all over the country talking to people about quilting.

And on Saturday, she made a stop in Lakewood.

Fernand’s visit was a part of Quilt Stories — her personal quest to hear stories about others’ memories of quilting.

She spent Saturday afternoon listening to stories at the on Detroit Avenue.

“I set up the installation and I ask people to gather and I ask them to tell me stories about quilts,” Fernand said. “Most Americans have had some kind of run-in with quilts.”

She’s asking people to add their own stitches — their signature — to a white Amish-inspired quilt that’s made the 5,000-mile journey with her.

“It’s a temporary and nomadic installation and an interactive performance,” she said, adding that her next stop is Detroit.

Fernand is compiling the stories from the road, which she hopes will inspire her next project. 

“This is like fieldwork for me,” she said.