---
title: Examining a Story Quilt Program for Older Adults | Mather Institute
description: "Story Quilts are creative pieces combine imagery, text, and texture to allow the maker to tell a story. They can incorporate painting, stitching, appliqué, assemblage, and more, telling a story that draws on personal experiences, collective histories, and cultural traditions. Given the potential of story quilts to facilitate reflection on one’s personal history and legacy, a hands-on story quilt workshop may be a particularly meaningful focus for arts-based programs for older adults.\nThis report offers tips and background for those interested in creating their own story quilt program."
---

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# STORY QUILTS 

## BUILD A MEANINGFUL ARTS PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS 

## EXAMINING A STORY QUILT PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS

Story quilts are creative pieces combining imagery, text, and texture to allow the maker to tell a story. They can incorporate painting, stitching, appliqué, assemblage, and more, telling a story that draws on personal experiences, collective histories, and cultural traditions. Given the potential of story quilts to facilitate reflection on one’s personal history and legacy, a hands-on story quilt workshop may be a particularly meaningful focus for arts-based programs.

This Orange Paper offers tips and background for those interested in creating their own story quilt program.

 

## FINDINGS FROM THIS ORANGE PAPER:

- **PART 1: Lead a Story Quilt Program:**  The first part of this Orange Paper provides a step-by-step description of a story quilt program and provides guidance on how to implement your own program. 
- **Part 2: Learn about a Story Quilt Program Pilot Study:** The second part of this Orange Paper describes a pilot of the Story Quilt program. The pilot was conducted by nonprofits Mather and Art Against Ageism. 

 

[Download Orange Paper](https://information.matherinstitute.com/story-quilt#download_orange_paper)

 

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