Determining the Candidates

"We never stop to wonder until a person's gone. We never yearn to know him 'til he's packed and traveled on. When someone is around us, we never stop to ask," wrote Dory Previn, singer/songwriter. Q.S.O.S. wants to ensure that not only do we ask, but also that we document and preserve the stories of quiltmakers. These quiltmakers do not necessarily have to be famous quilt artists, teachers or authors. We all have a place in history. We have all been eyewitnesses to significant events. Quiltmakers know that every quilt holds a story.

Who to select for interviewing is as simple as finding someone willing to talk.

How to Find a Candidate

1. Local quilt guilds
   • talk to guild members
   • advertise in the guild newsletter
   • advertise on the guild Websites
   • distribute fliers at meetings and/or bees

    

2. Quilt shows
   • distribute fliers
   • posters
   • booth/table

    

3. Craft shows
   • distribute fliers
   • posters
   • booth/table

    

4. Quilt/fabric stores
   • post a flier
   • talk to the management or store employees

    

5. Churches, schools and nursing/assisted living homes
   • post a flier
   • talk to administrative staff
     
    
6. Museums/historical Societies

 
7. Libraries

 
8. Local colleges/universities

 
9. Web listserves
    
10. Press release(s) (Appendix A .)

An Important Caution:

How to Find a Candidate and Arrange the Interview

1. Personal introduction from friend or acquaintance
2. Letter of invitation (Appendix B)
3. Telephone call
4. Announcement at quilt guild meeting

Points to Remember

• Always be polite.
• If contacting by telephone, ask if it is convenient for the person to talk.
• Explain how you obtained the candidate's name.
• Explain the purpose of the project and why you would like the person to participate.
• Indicate the amount of time required.
• Briefly describe the interview process.
• Explain the use/purpose of bringing a quilt or related object.
• Arrange a location that is convenient yet conforms to the requirements of the interview (i.e. minimal background noise and interruptions).
• Follow up the above with a letter, if possible. (Appendix C)
• Send a thank you note after the interview.

Informing the Informant

After you have determined your candidate, it is important for them to clearly understand the process. Appendix E is a prepared handout for you to give your informant that includes the following information.

Things Your Informant Should Know Before the Interview

1. The tape-recorded interview is approximately 45 minutes long
2. The informant is asked to bring ONE quilt or quilt related item that is significant to them and preferably also made by them. We call this a "touchstone."
3. The informant will be asked to fill out and sign the following:
   
   • A permission form
   • A participant and quilt information form which includes the date the quilt was made, title, where it was made and dimensions
4. A "Quick Question" form about her/his quiltmaking experience.
5. A sampling of the interview questions is available in the online Manual.

During the Interview

1. The interviewer will make a brief announcement of the place, date, etc. on the tape before the interview begins.
2. The main goal of the interview is to elicit information from the informant that allows listeners to see the world through her/his eyes. The interviewer will do very little talking.
3. The informant should relax and talk as much as she/he wants.
4. There may or not be a scribe during the interview. The scribe's job is simply to take notes to make the transcription process easier. The scribe may ask for clarification on some things like spelling of names after the interview.

The Transcription Process

1. The tape of the interview is copied and mailed to a transcriber, who is a volunteer.
2. Transcribing an interview can take anywhere from 6-10 hours (sometimes more) depending on the skill of the transcriber and the quality of the tape.
3. However, since most transcribers are busy volunteers, it can take six months to a year for the tape to be transcribed and sent back for editing.

When the Transcription is Complete

1. Two copies of the transcription (one for her/his records and the other to return) and a final permission letter will be mailed.
2. The informant will be asked to review and return the corrected transcription as soon as possible. The informant should NOT rewrite the interview but check for facts; fill in missing information like last names, etc.
3. All the materials from the interview are archived at The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in partnership with The Alliance for American Quilts.
4. Once the corrected transcription and final permission letter has been returned to Quilters' S.O.S. – Save Our Stories c/o Karen Musgrave, it is checked one more time for correct formatting before being posted to the website.
5. Once the interview is posted to the website, the informant will be notified by e-mail, postcard or telephone.

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