Quilting
As we have learned, oral tradition and storytelling were central elements of African culture. Quilts were storytelling devices that represented past personal, cultural, political, and/or social experiences. The quilts can also be considered pieces of art. Historically, the voices and ideas of African American women have not been recognized. By having their voices suppressed, they had to find an alternative outlet to express themselves. This is one of the reasons as to why they turned to art.
Besides the notion of the quilt code, there were other myths about quilts made from slaves which criticized their talents. One of the myths associated with the allegedly poor craftsmanship of these quilts included the speculation that the quilts contained cotton seeds in the lining. Other conjectures that circulated were that the stitches were not consistent and that the quality of the cotton fabric was poor. Some people even said that African women only assisted in the creation of quilts while their owners did the majority of the work. There are also counterarguments that suggest that African Americans did most of the sewing and quilt making on plantations.
Slavery, discrimination, and segregation were common elements found in the quilts and other art forms of African Americans. Slaves developed a sense of community and kinship over time. When these women were able to get together, they were able to exchange stories. Kinships of women organized quilting sessions, or frolics, where the women would come together to work on a quilt. These meetings helped the women gain a sense of identity and keep their cultural ties. The slaves gathered different types of material to create the quilts. These frolics served as an escape for the women.
In the north, black and white women made quilts to help support reform issues. Fairs were held to help raise funds for the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery. Quilts were sold as fundraisers at events that supported the anti-slavery cause. In the north, African American women became members of different organizations. The United States Sanitary Commission also held fairs to raise money for the Union soldiers. The members of this group made quilts and comforters for the soldiers. They provided over 250,000 quilts and comforters to the Union soldiers. Some skilled quilt makers were able to sell their work to purchase their own freedom. Lizzie Hobbs Keckley was sold into slavery at the age of 14. Through her sewing, embroidery, and quilt making talents, she was able to buy her and her son’s freedom. She also befriended Mary Todd Lincoln after she was freed. She created the “Liberty” Medallion Quits, from scraps of the first lady’s gowns and later went on to work at the Wilberforce University as a sewing teacher.
Some quilts even preserved religion. Harriet Powers’ quilts displayed biblical stories that she recalled from memory. Without being able to read, she relied on her memory and interpreted the stories and communicated them through these quilts. Her quilts also showed components of legends, astronomy, and meteorology.
Quilting might be looked upon as merely an act of labor, but quite to the contrary, many saw this time consuming work as a form of leisure. It gave African American women a sense of identity and hope for a better future. It also helped the women preserve the past.
Besides the notion of the quilt code, there were other myths about quilts made from slaves which criticized their talents. One of the myths associated with the allegedly poor craftsmanship of these quilts included the speculation that the quilts contained cotton seeds in the lining. Other conjectures that circulated were that the stitches were not consistent and that the quality of the cotton fabric was poor. Some people even said that African women only assisted in the creation of quilts while their owners did the majority of the work. There are also counterarguments that suggest that African Americans did most of the sewing and quilt making on plantations.
Slavery, discrimination, and segregation were common elements found in the quilts and other art forms of African Americans. Slaves developed a sense of community and kinship over time. When these women were able to get together, they were able to exchange stories. Kinships of women organized quilting sessions, or frolics, where the women would come together to work on a quilt. These meetings helped the women gain a sense of identity and keep their cultural ties. The slaves gathered different types of material to create the quilts. These frolics served as an escape for the women.
In the north, black and white women made quilts to help support reform issues. Fairs were held to help raise funds for the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery. Quilts were sold as fundraisers at events that supported the anti-slavery cause. In the north, African American women became members of different organizations. The United States Sanitary Commission also held fairs to raise money for the Union soldiers. The members of this group made quilts and comforters for the soldiers. They provided over 250,000 quilts and comforters to the Union soldiers. Some skilled quilt makers were able to sell their work to purchase their own freedom. Lizzie Hobbs Keckley was sold into slavery at the age of 14. Through her sewing, embroidery, and quilt making talents, she was able to buy her and her son’s freedom. She also befriended Mary Todd Lincoln after she was freed. She created the “Liberty” Medallion Quits, from scraps of the first lady’s gowns and later went on to work at the Wilberforce University as a sewing teacher.
Some quilts even preserved religion. Harriet Powers’ quilts displayed biblical stories that she recalled from memory. Without being able to read, she relied on her memory and interpreted the stories and communicated them through these quilts. Her quilts also showed components of legends, astronomy, and meteorology.
Quilting might be looked upon as merely an act of labor, but quite to the contrary, many saw this time consuming work as a form of leisure. It gave African American women a sense of identity and hope for a better future. It also helped the women preserve the past.
Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt