Appendix E: Interview Guide

Thank you for participating in Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories (Q.S.O.S.), a project of The Alliance for American Quilts. Q.S.O.S. is the largest grassroots oral history preservation effort of its kind. Our goal is the creation of a broadly accessible body of information about quiltmakers and quiltmaking and make it available through the Internet.

The Alliance for American Quilts, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1993, wants to ensure that this nation's quilt heritage is preserved, documented and widely shared.

To learn more about The Alliance for American Quilts and Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories log onto www.centerforthequilt.org. Make sure you check out the Q.S.O.S. Manual to further understand.

Things to Know Before the Interview

1. The tape-recorded interview is approximately 45 minutes long.
2. You are asked to bring ONE quilt or quilted item that is significant to you and preferably also made by you. We call this a "touchstone."
3. You will be asked to fill out and sign the following:

• A permission form
• A participant and quilt information form which includes the date your quilt was made, title, where it was made and dimensions
• A "Quick Question" form

4. You will be photographed after the interview.
5. A sampling of the interview questions is available in the Manual.

During the Interview

1. Your interviewer will make a brief announcement before the interview begins.
2. The main goal of your interviewer is to elicit information from you that allows us to see the world through your eyes so your interviewer should do very little talking.
3. Relax and talk as much as you want.
4. You may or may not have a scribe during your interview. The scribe's job is simply to take notes to make the transcription process easier. The scribe may ask you to clarify some things after the interview.

The Transcription Process

1. The tape of your interview is copied and mailed to a transcriber, 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 of our transcribers are busy volunteers, it can take six months to a year for your tape to be transcribed and sent to you for editing.

When the Transcription is Complete

1. Two copies of the transcription (one for your records and the other to return) and a final permission letter will be mailed to you.
2. We ask that you review and return your corrected transcription as soon as you can.
3. If you will be delayed, please let your contact person know.
4. Please do not rewrite your interview. Check for facts; fill in missing information like last names, etc.
5. After the corrected transcription and final permission letter is sent to Quilters' S.O.S. – Save Our Stories c/o Karen Musgrave, it is checked one more time for correct formatting before being posted onto the website.
6. Once your interview is posted to the website, you will be notified by email, postcard or telephone.
7. All interview materials are archived at The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Only Q.S.O.S. is allowed to send you interview materials.

Important Contact Information

Karen Musgrave, Q.S.O.S. Chair, Click for E-Mail

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