MPR News with Angela Davis

The art, craft and community of quilting

quilt photo collage
Top row, left to right: Metro Rings by Jeanne Wyman and Mary Alsop; Seeking Justice by Cathy Sandmann; Waiting in the Wings by Sandra Borgschatz. Bottom row, left to right: Hand-dyed 3D quilt by Wally Wallestad; Resonance by Karin Rabe; After the Carnival by Mary Mathews.
Courtesy photos

The first day of the Minnesota State Fair brings a chance to see thousands of creative works made by Minnesotans — including quilts that showcase remarkable skill, artistry and imagination.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two quilters about what goes into making a quilt, how quilting has evolved and the community and personal stories that can be stitched into every finished piece.

two people posing for a portrait
Wally Wallestad (left), a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild, and Brenda Lyseng (right) is a quilter and board member of Minnesota Quilter’s, Inc., pose for a portrait at Minnesota Public Radio headquarters in St. Paul on Thursday.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

Guests:

  • Brenda Lyseng is a quilter and board member of Minnesota Quilter’s, Inc., a statewide quilting organization. She was the director of the organization’s annual quilt show for five years until retiring from that role in 2024. Before that she was a biology professor and dean with the Minnesota State colleges and universities system.

  • Wally Wallestad started quilting four years ago and is a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild.

Angela’s guests shared these resources for beginner quilters:

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