Quilts tell stories. And the people that make quilts like to tell stories…most of the time the stories are about the people the quilts are made for.
One famous quilt, which now resides in the Smithsonian is considered priceless...even though its owner spent only $5 for it.
The quilt maker and former slave, Harriet Powers, sold her “Bible” quilt in the 1880’s for $5 to a schoolteacher in Athens, Ga., according to an article published today by author Melinda Donnelly for The Citizen. The quilt is the best-known and well-preserved examples of Southern American quilting which uses the traditional African appliqué technique.
The schoolteacher, Jennie Smith, kept a diary and documented her meeting with the quilt maker, Powers. Powers talked about her life before the Civil War and the story surrounding her quilt.
Quilts act as historical documents, said Robert Shaw, an independent curator from Vermont. .
“Quilting is not just white folks. It’s not just older women,” Shaw said. “All over the United States, in every economic sphere, it’s something that took place.”
“The stories of women can be told using quilts as documents,” said Shaw.
Today’s quilters are making their own history. And they are willing to share their stories and their quilts.
Almost daily someone comes in the quilt shop I work at who is making a quilt for a charity or fundraiser; grandmothers make them for grandsons heading off to join the service or who are getting married.
Inherited quilts even if they are half-done and stained are shown with pride by their owners who are willing to patch, clean, repair or finish these family treasures.
Women of all ages and skill levels join forces to make and donate quilts for the victims of Katrina, hospitals, children in need, and for Breast Cancer Research.
Saved T-shirts are used to make a memory quilts for a high school or college graduation gifts. Matching baby quilts thrill a new mother of twins. A young girl wanders into the shop and wants to make her first quilt for a boyfriend.
We quilt. We make stunning works of art with fabric.
Quilts tell stories…Do you have any to tell?
One famous quilt, which now resides in the Smithsonian is considered priceless...even though its owner spent only $5 for it.
The quilt maker and former slave, Harriet Powers, sold her “Bible” quilt in the 1880’s for $5 to a schoolteacher in Athens, Ga., according to an article published today by author Melinda Donnelly for The Citizen. The quilt is the best-known and well-preserved examples of Southern American quilting which uses the traditional African appliqué technique.
The schoolteacher, Jennie Smith, kept a diary and documented her meeting with the quilt maker, Powers. Powers talked about her life before the Civil War and the story surrounding her quilt.
Quilts act as historical documents, said Robert Shaw, an independent curator from Vermont. .
“Quilting is not just white folks. It’s not just older women,” Shaw said. “All over the United States, in every economic sphere, it’s something that took place.”
“The stories of women can be told using quilts as documents,” said Shaw.
Today’s quilters are making their own history. And they are willing to share their stories and their quilts.
Almost daily someone comes in the quilt shop I work at who is making a quilt for a charity or fundraiser; grandmothers make them for grandsons heading off to join the service or who are getting married.
Inherited quilts even if they are half-done and stained are shown with pride by their owners who are willing to patch, clean, repair or finish these family treasures.
Women of all ages and skill levels join forces to make and donate quilts for the victims of Katrina, hospitals, children in need, and for Breast Cancer Research.
Saved T-shirts are used to make a memory quilts for a high school or college graduation gifts. Matching baby quilts thrill a new mother of twins. A young girl wanders into the shop and wants to make her first quilt for a boyfriend.
We quilt. We make stunning works of art with fabric.
Quilts tell stories…Do you have any to tell?
