June 28 – September 1, 2025
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.
This exhibition highlights Vermont’s deep quilting traditions while emphasizing the need for sustainable fashion. By repurposing textiles, every stitch reduces waste, and every garment encourages a more mindful approach to clothing and consumption.
About Kitty Badhands
“We create modern pieces of wearable art that are simultaneously fun yet functional, modern yet nostalgic, and fashion-forward yet timeless.”
Kitty Badhands redefines fashion by repurposing vintage and forgotten textiles into distinctive, wearable pieces. Founded by Kathleen McVeigh & Dale Donaldson, the brand is driven by a commitment to sustainability, ensuring every garment is crafted from existing materials with nothing going to waste.
By transforming well-loved quilts and fabrics, Kitty Badhands preserves their history while creating clothing that is both stylish and responsible. Their work challenges the cycle of fast fashion, proving that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.