Sandra Malamed translates stories from history into unique appliquéd quilts, seeking to create naïve works representing the everyday lives of simple Americans from the late 17th and early 18th Centuries. She strives to produce pieces with great visual impact while using the simplest traditional methods and period-appropriate designs.

Each narrative quilt is hand appliquéd, embroidered, and quilted without adhesives. She uses reproduction fabrics from the first half of the 19th Century and backs the quilts with antique homespun linen bed sheets when possible. The stains and wear and tear of use on the linen adds real life and history to the narratives.

Malamed considers research an important step in the process and uses the information to tell a story, coaxing fabric into an illustration using tiny hand stitches and a gift for design. Her goal is to find somewhat obscure references to famous events and/or people in early American history. Stories with a dash of irony are her favorite inspiration. She will also create custom pieces to tell the story of a client’s personal history.

Malamed has sold her work to private and corporate buyers. She has been an honored member of the Directory of Traditional American Crafts since 2009.

Sandra Malamed has been selected for the following Directories: