EDWARDSBURG — Standing in an overcrowded room at the Edwardsburg History museum, local shop owner Robin English holds a multi-colored quilt to her chest.

“This quilt reminds me of my grandmother,” English said. “I grew up with quilts and quilting. It is something I have always loved.”

English, the owner of Robin’s Nest, Quilts and More on US-12, gave a presentation at the Edwardsburg History Museum Thursday as part of the museum’s ongoing speaker series. English spoke about different types of textile art, primarily quilting, though she also spoke about needlepoint, sewing, embroidery and many others.

Those who sat in on the well attended event learned not only about how to achieve these types of art, but the history behind them.

A life-long quilter and a resident of Edwardsburg since she was 10 years old, English said she was happy to share “a piece of herself” with the community by giving a presentation on the topic she is most passionate about: fabric art.

“Sewing has become such a big part of my life that I feel lost if a day goes by where I don’t sew something,” she said. “Sewing and quilting kind of grabbed me by the throat at a young age and didn’t let go.”

English showed the audience many quilts and described how they were made, the history of each piece and the different techniques that made each one unique.

One technique that was present in several of the quilts shown was called charm quilting. This technique, which English described as one of her favorites, requires that the entire quilt be made of fabric pieces that are equal in size and shape.

“These quilts tend to be kind of scrappy,” English said. “But there’s just something about them that I love.”

For English, fabric is more than just art. It is a way to connect with her own family history.

Having learned to quilt from her grandmother, English has many memories connected to fabric art, including the quilt she had on her bed as a small child that her great-grandmother made for her and the blue ribbon she won for one of her first quilting ventures at the 4-H fair.

“I have one quilt that you wouldn’t exactly call beautiful, but to me it’s amazing ‘cause Grandma made it,” English said. “To me, fabric art and fibre art is part of quilting and sewing and a family tradition.”

English carried on the family tradition of fabric art by teaching her children how to sew and quilt.

Ultimately, English said she loves quilting and fabric art because it connects her to others, whether it be people in her family or in the community.

“You put this part of yourself into a quilt and your time, hours and hours, and they you give it as a gift to someone who will appreciate it,” English said. “When I touch a quilt, I have a connection with the woman who made it, and then I can teach that continuity to someone else and that carries on. That is what makes fabric art and sewing and quilting so much of who I am as a person.”