Magic & Memories

Once a year, tens of thousands undergo a pilgrimage to Houston, Texas, for the International Quilt Festival—an enormous confluence of exhibitions, shopping, competitions, educational opportunities, and, most importantly, a gathering of kindred spirits like no other. Standing behind this magical show are two of the most influential trailblazers and business leaders in the quilting industry. Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes are cousins who were raised as sisters, and their shared history is a colorful story of five generations of quilters. Through numerous interviews, Teresa Duryea Wong shares a mosaic of memories and histories not only from Karey and Nancy, but from an array of quilters and Festival-goers. With nearly 200 photos spanning more than half a century, Magic & Memories celebrates the resilience and passion of all who love quilts—young and old, beginner and expert, traditional and contemporary—and the history they make.