Hubert Ver Mehren and His Quilts, Kits, and Catalogs: Susan Price Miller

Saturday 9:00am – 10:00am Marion Public Library, Meeting Room B, 600 S Washington St, Marion, IN

Step into the fascinating world of one of quilting’s most mysterious figures in this illuminating lecture on Hubert Ver Mehren and his significant impact on the quilt world of the 1930s.

Despite his remarkable influence, Ver Mehren remains largely unknown to many quilt enthusiasts—a creative genius who marketed his extraordinary patterns anonymously or under pseudonyms. This presentation pulls back the curtain on his secretive career and showcases the breathtaking scope of his design sensibility.

Ver Mehren’s patterns are considered some of the most complex and dramatic designs of their day, ranging from spectacular giant medallions to elegant embroideries. The lecture will explore his distinctive aesthetic and why his work represented the pinnacle of quilt design during this vibrant period in quilting history.

Learn how Ver Mehren’s artistic vision challenged conventional design boundaries and influenced quilting trends of the era, even as the man himself remained in the shadows. Discover why quilt historians consider his rediscovery so significant and what his work reveals about the evolution of American quilting.

This presentation complements the special Hubert Ver Mehren exhibit currently on display at The Quilters Hall of Fame museum, offering deeper context and appreciation for these remarkable works.

About the Presenter: Susan Price Miller holds a B.A. in history and has done studio work in both drawing and painting. A quilt maker and designer since 1983, she specializes in 20th-century quilt topics in the Midwest.

Susan’s journey researching Ver Mehren began at the encouragement of leading quilt historian Cuesta Benberry, who recognized the significance of Ver Mehren’s Des Moines business, Home Art Studios. In the 1980s, when Susan began her research, many aspects of Ver Mehren’s work and life remained unknown to the quilt world. Her dedicated scholarship has helped uncover the story behind his original pieced patterns, preprinted kits, and superior catalogs that were marketed nationally.