Kitty Badhands: Vintage Fabric, Modern Fashion

Kitty Badhands: Vintage Fabric, Modern Fashion showcases the art of transforming vintage textiles and damaged quilts into modern, wearable works of art. Presented alongside A Vermont Quilt Sampler exhibition, this collection explores the intersection of sustainability, history, and contemporary fashion.

Featuring four signature quilt coats, this exhibition reimagines quits, traditionally made for warmth and home use, into expressive, wearable pieces ready for the outside world. Each garment breathes new life into once-cherished textiles that might otherwise have been discarded. Sourced from eBay, antique shops, and donated heirlooms, each quilt carries histories, nostalgia, and personal connections to those who once owned them.

Visitors will also engage with educational displays on quilting techniques and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. One piece is crafted from an authentic Billings Farm staff uniform worn by the president of Billings-Starlake Dairy until its sale in 1976. Through this exhibition, guests can explore the thoughtful craftsmanship behind each quilt coat, from sourcing and restoring vintage fabrics to designing truly one-of-a-kind pieces.