The Quilts of Gee’s Bend

 This month we had a fascinating talk by Andrea Lechner about the Gee’s Bend quilters and quilts.  In America in 1816, Joseph Gee moved 17 slaves from North Carolina to Alabama, a trek of over 600 miles, to start a cotton plantation in a bend of the Alabama River.  This spot was quite isolated and hemmed in by the river, such that the nearest town by road was about 25 miles away.  The plantation flourished and the population grew, and it was taken over by Mark Pettway in 1845.  When the slaves were granted. their freedom in 1863, many people stayed to continue the only trade they knew.  There was little interaction with the outside world and when the women made quilts to keep their families warm, they developed their own unique style, by using old clothes and worn out linens.  When these quilts were discovered by the outside world in the 1960s, they were compared both with modern art or the improvisation of jazz pieces.  Their style is bold and confident, and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing slides of many beauties. 

Here is Andrea in front of a slide of one of the quilts. 

Here is one of the Gee’s Bend quilts.  Stunning. 

Show and tell was inspiring. 

Here were some of the gorgeous ‘Doodlebirds’ made at the recent Gail Lawther workshop. 

A great stash buster or jelly roll quilt. 

Paula’s ‘Chilhowie’ quilt : this year’s Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt design. 

A great sampler quilt. 

Gwyneth made this farmyard quilt for a new baby.  Lucky boy! 

These New York Beauties were made by foundation piecing.  It’s the best way to get those sharp points! 

This brightly coloured fabric just cried out to Di to become a bag.  Good decision. 

Here is a wall hanging made from a kit.  Superb sky. 

A small quilt made from another bright print. 

Paula made this sheep quilt from hexagons.  I love the way they each seem to have their own personality. 

 

The jacket and bag belong together, obviously. 

Nik has kindly donated this fabulously quilted masterpiece to Project Linus. 

This is another Linus quilt, made QAYG by Di. 

This is the back of a football quilt. 

This is the front!  

Vicki informed us about our upcoming exhibition, ‘Sew Beautiful’ which will take place on 23rd and 24th September.  Since the pandemic, we have become short of members and short of funds and we need this event to be successful to keep us afloat.  The tombola will be ‘something to put something in’ and we need as many items as possible.  Next month we will be having a sewing evening to make tombola items and share ideas for more.  Bring your sewing machine or sewing kit and some fabric or the makings of a purse, zipped pouch, bag, container or cushion - or anything else you can think of!