Jean Ray Laury made her first quilt in 1956, thus bridging two generations and two quilt
revivals. Her “Tom’s Quilt” was shown at the De Young Art Museum in San Francisco, and was
chosen to travel on a world tour sponsored by the United States Information Agency. When it
was shown at the Eastern States Exposition at Storrowton Village, Massachusetts, Roxa Wright,
needlework editor, encouraged Jean to write articles.
Jean’s first article appeared in House Beautiful in January 1960. Her pioneer spirit continued
with one-woman shows, her first book, Applique Stitchery in 1966, her own column in Quilter’s
Newlsetter Magazine and a quilters’ retreat. Her unique style and use of color continued to be
influential both inside and outside the quilting community. Her sense of humor adds greatly to
all of her work.
Together with California Heritage Quilt Project, she edited Ho For California: Pioneer Women
and Their Quilts, 1990. She continues to publish books on various subjects. In 1997 she
received the Silver Star award at International Quilt Festival, Houston, Texas, and her quilt
“Barefoot and Pregnant” was chosen as one of The 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
Her name appears in the book 88 Leaders in the Quilt World Today.
Website: http://www.jeanraylaury.com
revivals. Her “Tom’s Quilt” was shown at the De Young Art Museum in San Francisco, and was
chosen to travel on a world tour sponsored by the United States Information Agency. When it
was shown at the Eastern States Exposition at Storrowton Village, Massachusetts, Roxa Wright,
needlework editor, encouraged Jean to write articles.
Jean’s first article appeared in House Beautiful in January 1960. Her pioneer spirit continued
with one-woman shows, her first book, Applique Stitchery in 1966, her own column in Quilter’s
Newlsetter Magazine and a quilters’ retreat. Her unique style and use of color continued to be
influential both inside and outside the quilting community. Her sense of humor adds greatly to
all of her work.
Together with California Heritage Quilt Project, she edited Ho For California: Pioneer Women
and Their Quilts, 1990. She continues to publish books on various subjects. In 1997 she
received the Silver Star award at International Quilt Festival, Houston, Texas, and her quilt
“Barefoot and Pregnant” was chosen as one of The 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
Her name appears in the book 88 Leaders in the Quilt World Today.
Website: http://www.jeanraylaury.com
| Jean Ray Laury |
Pioneer quilt and textile designer, author of Applique
Stitchery and others. Inducted in 1982 at the Continental
Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Elizabeth Palmer-Spilker
Stitchery and others. Inducted in 1982 at the Continental
Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Elizabeth Palmer-Spilker