The Great Community Quilting Bee

We are building a community quilt to honor America250. To participate, all you have to do is show up. Minimal sewing skills are required, and materials and machines will be provided for you.

In this two-hour program, we will share a brief history of the quilting bee as a community and social gathering before offering simple instructions on how to design and sew your quilt block.

Your individual quilt square can reflect your interpretation of what being American or living in the United States means to you. That might be a place or a person, a value or a tradition, a personal story or cultural heritage, or even your hopes for the future. However you define your experience, your voice and perspective are welcome.

The blocks created in this program will be sewn together into a large community quilt, which will be displayed throughout America250 celebrations this summer.

It’s been 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed! Since then, America has grown as more voices, communities, and thoughts continue to create the America we know today. To mark this milestone, communities across the country are joining the nationwide America250 celebration. This program is part of Dallas Public Library's 250 Years of Us: Reading America's Past, Writing Our Future, brought to you by the generosity of Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

Dive into the past all year long, as we host programs, exhibits and book clubs that explore how our nation’s history has shaped American democracy today. Anyone can join our Amazing Race for Independence challenge and win Dallas Mavericks or Wings tickets, State Park passes and more! Every book read from the reading list, program attended or exhibit visited counts as an entry.