In honor of Carolyn Ducey’s 27 years as the Ardis B. James Curator of Collections for the International Quilt Museum, I have donated a pair of sister quilts: a confetti-esque string top and the subsequent quilt that it inspired. They currently hang side by side in The Collector’s Eye exhibition at IQM.
Freddy came to Hello Stitch in Berkeley, CA for a show I mounted there, where she told me how much she loved the quilt top that opens my book Unconventional & Unexpected. Could she make a quilt based on it? Obviously, I gave her a whole-hearted YES!
Later as Freddy and I were picking the Face Quilts that would go to IQM for her Faces exhibition, I saw her rendition hanging in her studio. I asked if it was for sale, and she said, “Of course!” The rest is history. I knew immediately that I would be donating it down the road to an institution where it could long be admired. It was the first Freddy Moran quilt that went into the IQM Collection.
I am thrilled that such a beautiful artistic exchange will be at IQM in celebration of Carolyn. It has been a joy to work with her on various projects for IQM. She has been responsible for building an absolutely incredible collection – a gift that will keep on inspiring makers for years to come. Thank you, Carolyn!
The International Quilt Museum
1523 N. 33rd St.
Lincoln, NE 68583
Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Quilt top (center left) and Freddy Moran’s rendition (center right) at the International Quilt Museum’s exhibition, The Collector’s Eye: Roderick Kiracofe, 2026
Unknown String
Double-sided quilt top
Once named maker
Found in Missouri
c. 1950 - 1975
Cotton and blends
Machine and hand pieced
Foundation pieced back with green and white striped fabric
82” x 67”