Amy Emms was honored by Queen Elizabeth with a Member of the British Empire (MBE) award
for “services to quilting” in 1984. She indeed was proud of this honor, but was also proud of her
skills as a “Durham Quilter.” Durham quilting was a style of wholecloth quilts known in
Northeastern England.
She enjoyed quilting on satin, occasionally silk, using her favorite patterns, “Durham feather,”
“feather twist” and “scissors,” in medallion designs her wholecloth quilts.
At the age of 7 she threaded the needles for her mother and at 14 was adding her stitches to the
quilts. During World War II she aided in her country’s efforts by leading fund raisers and
community activities. This work led naturally to forming quilting groups and to teaching her art
form.
Amy enjoyed writing about her quilting activities for the magazine of the British Quilters Guild,
which made her an Honorary Member in 1981. She corresponded with people around the world,
which thrilled her because it was all “due to her art of quilting.” At the age of 86 she wrote her
autobiography, Amy Emms’ Story of Durham Quilting, edited by Pam Dawson.
for “services to quilting” in 1984. She indeed was proud of this honor, but was also proud of her
skills as a “Durham Quilter.” Durham quilting was a style of wholecloth quilts known in
Northeastern England.
She enjoyed quilting on satin, occasionally silk, using her favorite patterns, “Durham feather,”
“feather twist” and “scissors,” in medallion designs her wholecloth quilts.
At the age of 7 she threaded the needles for her mother and at 14 was adding her stitches to the
quilts. During World War II she aided in her country’s efforts by leading fund raisers and
community activities. This work led naturally to forming quilting groups and to teaching her art
form.
Amy enjoyed writing about her quilting activities for the magazine of the British Quilters Guild,
which made her an Honorary Member in 1981. She corresponded with people around the world,
which thrilled her because it was all “due to her art of quilting.” At the age of 86 she wrote her
autobiography, Amy Emms’ Story of Durham Quilting, edited by Pam Dawson.
| Amy Emms, MBE (1904—1998) |
English quilter and teacher; revived Durham quilting in
England. Pictured here with her MBE award at
Buckingham Palace in 1984. Inducted in 1992 at The
Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration, Marion, Indiana.
Research Associate: Dorothy Osler
England. Pictured here with her MBE award at
Buckingham Palace in 1984. Inducted in 1992 at The
Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration, Marion, Indiana.
Research Associate: Dorothy Osler