Ernest B. Haight from David City, Nebraska, made quilts like an engineer. After earning a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1924, Haight returned to the family farm. He took up quilting in about 1934 after a challenge from Isabelle, his wife.

Haight discovered quiltmaking offered opportunities to use his mechanical drawing and geometry skills. He said that as an engineering graduate, he thought “in terms of methods as well as esthetics.” Many of his quilts, like the Kaleidoscope Star, demonstrate his accomplishments in both. By 1950 Haight began strip-piecing, a sew-then-cut process that increased speed and accuracy. After purchasing an electric sewing machine in 1960, Haight developed a quick machine quilting process. Surprising even himself, these machined quilts won top prizes at his state and county fairs. Courtesy of Mary Haight