Shiela Betterton is widely recognized as an authority on American quilts. She lives in Bath,
England, where from 1963 to 1993, first as steward and later as textile advisor, she helped
amass the textile collection of the American Museum in Britain. Under her direction, the
collection grew to include fine examples of American quiltmaking in the only venue outside the
United States.
Once the collection of quilts was acquired she began sharing its history by curating
exhibitions, including the 1976 Exhibition with the Commonwealth Institute of London and the
1980 British Council Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri. The prestigious 1997 exhibit “Crazy for
Quilts: 200 Years of American Quilts,” held at the American Museum in Britain, was dedicated
to Shiela, who had recently retired.
Shiela lectured not only in England, but also on the continent and in the United States. She
wrote American Textiles and Needlework (1971), The American Quilt Tradition (1976), Quilts
and Coverlets (1978) and More Quilts and Coverlets (1988).
She has been recognized for her contributions by election to the Fellow of The Royal Society
of Arts and was appointed Honorary Life Member of both the British Quilters Guild and the
Bath Quilters.
England, where from 1963 to 1993, first as steward and later as textile advisor, she helped
amass the textile collection of the American Museum in Britain. Under her direction, the
collection grew to include fine examples of American quiltmaking in the only venue outside the
United States.
Once the collection of quilts was acquired she began sharing its history by curating
exhibitions, including the 1976 Exhibition with the Commonwealth Institute of London and the
1980 British Council Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri. The prestigious 1997 exhibit “Crazy for
Quilts: 200 Years of American Quilts,” held at the American Museum in Britain, was dedicated
to Shiela, who had recently retired.
Shiela lectured not only in England, but also on the continent and in the United States. She
wrote American Textiles and Needlework (1971), The American Quilt Tradition (1976), Quilts
and Coverlets (1978) and More Quilts and Coverlets (1988).
She has been recognized for her contributions by election to the Fellow of The Royal Society
of Arts and was appointed Honorary Life Member of both the British Quilters Guild and the
Bath Quilters.
| Shiela Betterton |
English museum curator, lecturer and author of Quilts
and Coverlets from the American Museum in Britain and
other titles. Inducted in 1999 at The Quilters Hall of
Fame Celebration, Marion, Indiana.
Research Associate: Pat Nicholls (England)
and Coverlets from the American Museum in Britain and
other titles. Inducted in 1999 at The Quilters Hall of
Fame Celebration, Marion, Indiana.
Research Associate: Pat Nicholls (England)