Celebrating its 20th year, Quilts for Kids Nepal is a non-profit organization based in Kathmandu, Nepal, providing work for economically challenged women and educating at-risk children in a slum village in Kathmandu. Founder and Director James Hopkins will talk about how the organization got started, and how the extraordinary quilting skills of this underserved community are harnessed in order to educate, empower and transform the girls and young women living there. Master Quilt Maker Karma Kaur, who will join James from Nepal, will demonstrate some of her extraordinary quilting work, and will talk about how the women of the community have designed and created their own unique and very beautiful quits. James Hopkins studied economics and accounting at Duke University in the US and worked for more than 20 years as an investment broker at UBS Financial Services in New York and Washington DC, specializing in socially-responsible investments. In 2004 he retired and moved to Nepal to study Buddhist philosophy & Himalayan languages at a Tibetan monastery in Kathmandu. He has written four poetry books, and is the author of a photographic journey in Kathmandu. In 2006 he founded Quilts for Kids Nepal that helps preserve a centuries-old tradition of hand-stitching colorful bed covers, and now creates full-time work for 20 women and sponsors the education of more than 70 at-risk children in Nepal, India, and the United States.

On behalf of the Thai Textile Society, we join the nation in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, and offer our deepest respect and sincere tribute. Her Majesty's life was a testament to unwavering dedication to the preservation of Thailand’s cultural heritage and the welfare of the Thai people. For the textile community, Her Majesty is revered as the Mother of Thai Silk. A Visionary for Thai Textiles, Her Majesty championed the revival of Thai textiles, transforming them from a fading rural craft into a source of national pride and a globally admired art form. By commissioning and wearing garments crafted from indigenous Thai silks—such as Mudmee, Pha Yok, and Pha Prae Wa—often in collaboration with international designers, Her Majesty showcased the exquisite artistry of Thai weavers on the world stage, elevating its status to high fashion. Through the establishment of the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) in 1976, Her Majesty provided sustainable livelihoods for thousands of rural families, particularly women, across the Kingdom. Her Majesty leaves behind an immeasurable legacy that resonates deeply with our Society's mission. She did not just preserve traditions; she created a dynamic future for Thai craftsmanship and ensured that the ancient wisdom woven into every thread would continue to enrich the national identity for generations to come. With deepest respect and sincere tribute, The Thai Textile Society

SPECIAL COLLECTION OF LAO TEXTILES ACQUIRED IN 1992 The presentation of Lao textiles by Savitri Suwansathit is based on an official visit to Laos in 1992, where she represented Thailand following a UNESCO international conference that commemorated the heritage of Asian textiles organized in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 60th birthday anniversary. The textiles acquired on that visit came from Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Xayaburi, and are a reflection of the social and political transformations in Laos between 1975-1992. Purchased in markets, textile workshops, and weaving villages, the textiles display diverse and rich weaving. Savitri was deeply inspired by the stories behind some of the quality pieces, woven by villagers who had suffered hardship during the first decade of tight economic and social control following the 1975 political change in Laos. The collection includes exuberant pieces from the multitude Lao ethnic groups, such as Tai Daeng and Tai Dam from Xam Neua and the Plain of Jars. We are fortunate to hear Savitri share her experience at a most crucial time in Laos’ history, and see the wonderful textiles that withstood the perils of war. Savitri Suwansathit held various positions in the Ministry of Education, including Inspector General, Secretary General of Teachers commission, Secretary of Thai National Commission for UNESCO, and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education, before retirement. Currently, she serves as an advisor and resource person for a number of government agencies such as Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education.