Today we welcome quilt artist Barbara Ann McCraw. Actually…we welcome her back as we met Barbara in person and interviewed her at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah at her exhibit Life Stories during Quilt Week in 2024. While our conversation was a component of a compilation of stories…we felt that she had so much more to share, hence she joins us today.

Barbara grew up on the south side of Chicago and later attended Illinois State University where she earned a degree in English. In 1986 she earned a degree in medical technology and worked at Texas Woman’s Univrsity, University of North Texas and UT Southwestern Medical center where  she became pathology supervisor until her retirement in 2000.

Barbara’s quilts have won numerous awards and many now make their home in private collections. They have been featured in multiple publications and featured in a documentary and a CBS television human interest story.

In 2012 Barbara was invited to teach in Tanzania, Africa and two years later she returned there to participate in a quilt honoring Nelson Mandella. Barbara gives large credit for her success to her husband Erine who has helped her both personally and professionally throughout her quilting career. 

Barbara and Ernie make their home in Texas.

(2:20) Barbara talks about how she learned to sew and who was her influence. A very loud, rambunctious family had a large part in this!

(4:55) Learn about Barbara’s mother and more about her influence on Barbara’s sewing, leading with courage and unconditional love.

(6:35) Barbara’s career started out using her English. A pregnancy changed course for her. She always wanted to wear a lab coat…and wanted to be a doctor and learned that medical technology was really her thing. So off she went to become a pathologist/medical technologist. 

(10:03) So how did Barbara decide to learn to quilt? A move to Texas and missing her mom led the way. Learn about her interactions with the Newcomers Club in Carolton, TX and how this influenced her path

(11:50) What was her first quilt? Learn that here.

(12:35) The Family Reunion Quilt is one of her finest. She shares the story of this wonderful creation…and the dream that started it all. Her family history story is quite amazing.

(18:10) Barbara talks openly about living through many race-based issues. She addresses this through her Loving Quilt. Hear this story and the impact this creation has had. She talks about her husband Ernie, their marriage and how Mildred and Richard Loving had an impact on them.

(23:39) Learn more about Ernie McCraw, his influence on Barbara’s career and the secret to their 45-year marriage. 

(28:52) Learn about Barbara’s  trips to Tanzania and her work on the Nelson Mandela quilt.

(34:12) In 1995 Barbara became involved in Aids Services of North Texas. Because of this, she joined a sewing group that was working on the Names Project…creating quilt blocks made for families of those who passed from Aids. Learn why these quilts were 3’x6’.

(38:05) How has quilting influenced her life and why is it so special to her? Belonging is the foundation of all of this.

(39:45) What’s next for Barbara and what’s her dream? Well, there’s this special quilt she’s working on…!

(41:40) It there any question I didn’t ask?

(42:45) What’s the best way to reach Barbara? www.quiltasart.com.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.