Antique quilts are more than historical objects—they are invitations. Each worn seam, unexpected color choice, improvisational border, and beautifully imperfect block offers a lesson in courage, play, and problem-solving. In Permission to Make, quilt historian and maker Tara Miller explores how studying antique quilts reshaped her understanding of creativity and gave her permission to trust her instincts, embrace imperfection, and make with fearless joy. Through stories of historic quilts and the women who made them, Tara reveals how these textiles model experimentation, resilience, and freedom—and how their wisdom can guide our own design decisions today. This talk blends quilt history, creative process, and compassionate insight to help quilters quiet the inner critic, honor their intuition, and confidently step into their own artistic voice.
