Mary (nee Vida) Schafer of Flushing, Michigan has long been recognized as one of the forerunners of quilt studies, a master quilter, and the developer of one of the most important quilt history collections in the United States. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Mary began to collect old quilts, quilt tops, old fabric, ephemera and every reference to quilting she could find, and was inspired to make quilts in patterns and styles she felt were important in quilt history. An award-winning quilter known for her unique border and quilting designs, Mary was also dedicated to bringing more attention to quilters and their work by studying quilting history and then sharing her knowledge with others. By the time of the quilting revival of the 1970s, Mary Schafer had become a well-known figure in the quilting world.
Mary (nee Vida) Schafer of Flushing, Michigan has long been recognized as one of the forerunners of quilt studies, a master quilter, and the developer of one of the most important quilt history collections in the United States. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Mary began to collect old quilts, quilt tops, old fabric, ephemera and every reference to quilting she could find, and was inspired to make quilts in patterns and styles she felt were important in quilt history. An award-winning quilter known for her unique border and quilting designs, Mary was also dedicated to bringing more attention to quilters and their work by studying quilting history and then sharing her knowledge with others. By the time of the quilting revival of the 1970s, Mary Schafer had become a well-known figure in the quilting world.