No.2.6:The Quilt
From Rags to Riches!!
How much do you think your grandmother’s quilt is worth? Priceless, right? Have you ever tried to buy a quilt from the store? They can be quite expensive with price tags of $100 or more. The price tag of a quilt can be both literal and figurative.
The people of Gees Bend, Alabama became known for their quilt making skills as an art form rather than just a covering to keep warm. They drew inspiration for the quilt designs from images that would download in their minds. They would sit together or alone sewing, praying, singing and sharing stories. These sewing skills were passed down to the children of the family as they sat and watched the intertwining of the thread and fabric. The creation of the quilts dates back to times of slavery. In the hamlet of Gees Bend, the establishment of the Freedom Quilting Bee in 1966 helped turn the creation of the quilts into a source of income. In turn, the quilts began to garner attention for their intricate designs. The quilt makers became artists. The quilts have been featured in the Museum of Fine Arts as well as on commemorative US postal stamps. The quilts serve as reminders that our creativity has a purpose. They are visual representations of the light that came out of the darkness.
I clearly remember my grandmother sewing quilts for all of her grandchildren. She would spread her creation across her living room while she would weave her thread and needle in and out each piece of fabric. There was no color scheme. The patterns varied with each quilt. We each had our own distinctive design. She spent countless hours sewing together pieces of fabric that resulted in a gift of love that we could keep for our comfort.
Sewing is a skill that seems to have gotten lost through the generations. Yes one can take a sewing class or watch a YouTube how to. However, the experience doesn't resonate the same if you are taught by a loved one who will guide your hands with love.
Quilts patch together memories. Memories of a skill that keeps us warm during the cold days and nights. Memories of our loved ones whose hands kept the needle and thread in coordination with the lines of the fabric. With consideration of the turmoil our ancestors experienced, the creation of the quilts was an art form that was birthed out of necessity.
Preserving familial quilts is truly a sentimental act. Not only for the visual art it provides us; but for the memories of love and warmth it brings our souls. Whether it's laying across your bed, hanging on the wall in a museum or you are tucked under its material, the quilt brings a feeling of solace. It's a mosaic of memories and a form of expression.
Do you have any familial quilts? What or who does it remind you of?
