Texas Quilt Museum Debuts New Exhibits With a Patriotic Focus

The Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange focuses on history and honor with their spring/summer exhibits. They include the juried exhibit “My America…What It Means to Me” to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday; “Hooked On Presidents,” which features hand-hooked rug portraits of U.S. leaders; and “Old Quilts Made New,” a passion project for Teresa Wong. They will be on display April 30-August 29, 2026.

“My America…What It Means to Me” celebrates the enduring story of our nation through the powerful language of fiber. This exhibition of 21 works invites viewers to experience America as seen, felt, and remembered by quiltmakers from across the country. The quilts in this exhibition reflect personal and collective interpretations of America—its triumphs and challenges, its joys and sacrifices. Through imagery and stitch, artists explore ideas of freedom, home, family, land, and history, offering deeply individual perspectives that together form a rich and nuanced portrait of our nation.

Both antique and contemporary works are featured, embracing all techniques and origins. Unified not by style or era but by meaning, these quilts honor the diverse ways Americans express identity, memory, and belonging. This is a conversation in cloth, inviting reflection on who we are, where we have been, and how the fabric of our shared story continues to evolve.

“Hooked on Presidents” brings American history to life—one loop at a time. This remarkable exhibition features 44 hand-hooked rug portraits of U.S. Presidents, created by acclaimed sister artists Nola Heidbreder and Linda Pietz. It offers a fresh, engaging approach to presidential portraiture through the traditional folk art of rug hooking.

Each portrait goes beyond likeness, weaving in symbolic “fun facts” and personal details that humanize the presidents and invite viewers of all ages into the story. Designed by Pietz and meticulously handhooked by Heidbreder, the rugs combine historical research, artistic wit, and extraordinary craftsmanship— all rendered in wool with rich color and texture.

And finally, “Old Quilts Made New” celebrates the quiet transformation of the unfinished and the forgotten. Quiltmaker, author, and historian Teresa Duryea Wong brings new life to 20 exquisite antique quilt tops, completing works that were begun generations ago but never finished. Rooted in a no-waste, preservation- minded approach, this project honors the labor, materials, and intentions of the original makers while extending their legacy into the present.