These Quilts Got Stories: A Bed Turning Event

These Quilts Got Stories: A Bed Turning Event

Come join us for a unique experience on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Chromophore Artspace: 309 N Adams St in downtown Richmond, VA for a Bed Turning!

What is a bed turning? It's like a live, interactive quilt show where we'll explore a set of hand-made quilts in a group setting, and see what these quilts have to say - because believe us, they are talking!

At this in-person event, hosted at Chromophore Artspace, you will experience a modern-day "parlor" style quilt honoring, as each quilt is turned back, on the actual bed we'll have installed, to reveal it's beauty, construction and the story of the maker, if known.

• This event is meant to be interactive, not a lecture!
• We'll give out some special paper block cards at the door to ensure there are many voices activated.
• 10 attendees will have the opportunity to bring a favorite quilt from their collection, to share in a 3-minute "turn".

This tradition of turning - revealing quilts one-by-one folding them down on the bed - has roots across the ages and communities where quilting was not only a craft but a necessity. Turning quilts stacked on a bed not only changed with the seasons, but became a time for the maker to showcase their work, mainly the handwork of women.

Information on Bed Turnings is somewhat limited - learn a bit more about them here and here, and watch a quilt show turning event video here and another Bed Turning event video here!

All are welcome to this evening of community and culture sharing. Seats will likely fill fast, so don't miss out on this first of what we hope will be a recurring seasonal event in the region!

Check out our FAQs, the event Agenda (We have a plan, but we're not too tight with these stitches) ... and get your ticket!

• Event Organizer: Kristin Hott @kristinhott (Instagram)
• Event Sponsor: P Carter Carpin's Serious Whimsey (Fb) (Etsy)

Event Host: Chromophore Artspace - Amazing New Gallery & Gathering Space in the City!