From private collection to public exhibit
The exhibit centers around a donation of 470 quilts made between 1870-2002. They were collected over decades by a single woman. As life changed, she needed to find her collection a new home.
“She didn’t want to have to piecemeal the collection out by herself. She felt donating them to Chestnut Square would be a good fit. We could keep the ones that were significant and part out the remaining collection,” Museum Director Annie Quinn said.
As organizers began sorting through the collection, they quickly realized a significant number were “crazy quilts.” Because of their uniqueness, what began as a general plan to display historic textiles evolved into a dedicated show highlighting these incredibly detailed and deeply personal art forms.
What are crazy quilts?
Unlike traditional quilts, which are built on repeating blocks, crazy quilts embrace irregularity, or asymmetry. Blocks are planned with pieces of silk, wool and velvet, and are stitched together, then layered with embellishments such as embroidery, painted pictures and appliqués.
“They’re not just quilts with a pattern that [someone can] buy at the store and copy. They truly are works of art that are very individual for every single quilt,” head curation volunteer Dana Repp said.
That individuality shows up in the details. Organizers have found hand-stitched spiderwebs, owls and florals, along with political ribbons, names and beading sewn directly onto the fabric. Some quilts incorporate fabric samples once distributed by manufacturers, while others feature dozens of unique artistic elements within a single piece.
The result is something closer to a visual scrapbook than a blanket; each quilt tells a story through texture, color and technique.
A reflection of a changing world
The quilts also mirror the cultural shifts of their time.
As industrialization expanded and traveling shows like Barnum’s circus gained popularity, new imagery began appearing in the designs: elephants, tigers and other exotic figures were stitched into the fabric.
Color palettes also tell a story. Many quilts are dominated by deep, rich tones influenced by Queen Victoria’s decades-long mourning of Prince Albert.
Even the origins of crazy quilting itself point to global inspiration, with asymmetrical designs influenced by Japanese art introduced during world’s fairs, challenging the traditional symmetry seen in earlier U.S. quilts.
An experience designed for discovery
The first phase of the exhibit will feature 56 quilts in the main gallery, with an additional 32 pieces available with a VIP ticket. Some will be displayed side by side to highlight shared origins, including two “sister quilts” created by the same artists over time.
Others will stand alone, inviting visitors to slow down and look closely.
“You could do a scavenger hunt in one quilt,” Quinn said.
Organizers said that’s part of the appeal. Each visit offers something new, with hidden details revealing themselves over time.
Preserving stories, stitch by stitch
Beyond their visual complexity, the quilts serve as tangible connections to the past. Many were created in communal settings, where women gathered to share skills, stories and time together.
Today, that sense of connection continues through the exhibit, aligning with Chestnut Square’s mission to preserve and share history with the community.
By bringing these quilts out of storage and into public view, organizers hope to honor the artistry behind them, and ensure the stories stitched into every piece continue to be discovered.
Plan your visit
The Crazy Days in May Quilt Exhibit will take place May 22-24, with tickets available online.
Ticket options include:
- General ($25): guests will view 56 quilts in the main exhibit on May 23-24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- VIP ($50): guests will receive the same benefits as general ticket holders, plus access to a private reception, where they will enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and a discussion on artistry, history and intricate craftsmanship. The VIP event will begin at Chestnut Square. After the reception, there will be a private viewing of an additional 32-quilt exhibit and an early viewing of the main exhibit.
Organizers would like to thank the McKinney Community Development Corporation and Visit McKinney for helping them spread the word about this event.
Chestnut Square is offering 20% off general admission tickets through the end of April. Click here to learn more or to purchase tickets today.
Location: Church Street Auditorium, 306 N. Church St., McKinney
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through CI’sadvertising team.
