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"All This by Hand"—that's the promise of PieceWork magazine, which was first published in 1993 to honor the handwork created through the ages, mostly by women, mostly with little fanfare. "Handwork reflects peoples history, daily lives, and cultures. In this issue's stories, handwork means physical survival, personal hope, and cultural identity," said Veronica Patterson in the first issue.
PieceWork early issues covered the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, connections between Hmong and Amish quiltmaking, and the universal indigo dye.
To celebrate where the magazine came from and what sustains us, we interviewed two delightful women: Veronica Patterson, who edited PieceWork from 1993 until 1997, and Pat Olski, who has held the post since 2022. In addition to her tenure as the magazine's editor, Veronica has been a book editor and is an accomplished, widely published poet. She has served as the first Poet Laureate of Loveland, Colorado. Pat has been a knitwear designer, authored several needlework books, and taught knitting and embroidery.
PieceWork's anniversary issue celebrates the Gilded Age.
PieceWork's 30th anniversary issue appears in newsstands and inboxes in July. Check back for anniversary celebration announcements!
This episode is brought to you by:
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Links
PieceWork magazine
PieceWork indexes
Cannarella, Deborah. "The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Co. Fire." PieceWork September/October 1993.
Faubion, Trish. "The Amish and the Hmong: Two Cultures and One Quilt." PieceWork November/December 1993.
Norris, John. "The Rare Art of Birch Bark Biting." PieceWork September/October 1993.