If you have seen barn quilts and wondered the barn quilt meaning, we have the stories behind them and how to make your very own barn quilt.
I've shared my adaptations of the 8 Gee's Bend quilts from several years ago. I have new blog followers all the time and thought I...
Most of you know I spent some time teaching in Hawaii last month! Well, I brought back a solid tan and a new understanding of Hawaiian quilting and it’s origins. I thought I would share what I learned with you :) Hawaiians learned to quilt and sew from the first Christian missionaries. The first Hawaiian quilting circle was held early in 1820 on the decks of the ship Thaddeus with the royal wives of two reigning chiefs in attendance. Prior to the arrival of the missionaries, Hawaiian clothing wa
A quilt is a multilayered textile that is traditionally made by stitching together two or more layers of fabric or fiber. Most often, three layers are
The lsquo;Underground Railroadrsquo; was a network of anti-slavery supporters in the USA and Canada, who operated safe houses for African-American slaves. It was in operation from the beginning of the nineteenth century and was at its peak of activity between 1859 and 1860. While there is no documentary evidence, in the popular American imagination quilts were used to identify safe houses on the Underground Railroad.
My 4th and 5th grade students created a freedom quilt square for their class quilts last year during Black History Month. We started out the project by reading The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Fr…
Inside you'll find an easy Gee’s Bend Quilt art lesson for how to make a paper quilt project with your kids. Grab it for your classroom now (it’s free!)
Sunbonnet Sue – from a plain beginning as a drawing to a superstar, here is her story and how she has been used in quilts and quilting. The History and Mystery of Sunbonnet Sue You might know her as a redwork design, or perhaps an applique on a 30’s quilt. But like all young women, … Continue reading "Here Comes the Sun – Sunbonnet Sue, that is."
This quilt tutorial gives a detailed explanation of how to make a perfect square in a square quilt block with no muss, no fuss and no worry!
Inside you'll find an easy Gee’s Bend Quilt art lesson for how to make a paper quilt project with your kids. Grab it for your classroom now (it’s free!)
Lesson idea from Art. Paper. Scissors. Glue! 3rd graders started a conversation about what textile arts are by reading the book "Tar Beach" by author and artist Faith Ringgold. We talked about how the book and its illustrations were actually inspired by a story quilt that Ringgold created (the original work is pictured in the back of the book I had). The story in the book brought up the themes of both inequality (which works well since February is Black History Month) and imagination. The book's main character 3rd grader Cassie Louise Lightfoot discovers she has the ability to fly and in doing so, finds a sense of power and ownership over whatever she flies. She flies over the George Washington Bridge (a structure her father helped to build), an ice cream factory, and the Union Building (a building which housed an organization her father was not allowed to join because of his skin color). After reading and discussing the themes in the book, I asked my 3rd graders "Where would you go if you could fly (real or imaginary) and why?" This question was the inspiration for our very own patches on our 3rd grade story quilt. Students created their own "story patches" by creating a border using squares of 1.5"x1.5" decorative paper along the edge of a 12" x 12" piece of white drawing paper. Students then attached a strip of grey paper to the bottom of their picture squares and wrote about where they would go and why. Then in the remaining space, they used colored pencils to illustrate their ideas. I got a huge range of responses from Candyland (naturally to eat a ton of candy), to Columbia (to visit friends and family), to the Twin Towers in New York City (which prompted an entirely difference conversation). Students really enjoyed working on this project (which took between 4-5 class periods -- including one day for sketching ideas). I really love the finished product - and even more so when they are all hung together to make a giant story quilt! :)
Dear Liza, This week, I have learned about a whole new kind of quilting! It has been an adventure in history, geography, and craft. Kawandi quilting is from Western India and Pakistan, but it was b…
Around the early 1800’s three types of quilts became popular: the whole cloth, broderie perse, and medallion quilts. Several of my past blogs have featured medallion quilts – how to make them…
This idea has been stuck in my head for awhile, ever since I heard about how quilts were used to communicate to runaway slaves on the Und...
Let’s learn about the quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and try our own simple quilt project. This is a bright and bold art history lesson which is a perfect addition to art lessons for Black History Month, and as part of a curriculum of art lessons for children inspired by famous artists. […]
In my journey to learn more about the history of quilting and fiber arts, I have discovered some incredible makers, artists, thinkers and leaders. A couple weeks ago we talked about one of our founding Quilt Mothers, Nancy Crow, Marti Michell, Rachel Clark and Judith Scott. Today, I bring you someone who is not justContinue Reading...
If you have seen barn quilts and wondered the barn quilt meaning, we have the stories behind them and how to make your very own barn quilt.
Most of you know I spent some time teaching in Hawaii last month! Well, I brought back a solid tan and a new understanding of Hawaiian quilting and it’s origins. I thought I would share what I learned with you :) Hawaiians learned to quilt and sew from the first Christian missionaries. The first Hawaiian quilting circle was held early in 1820 on the decks of the ship Thaddeus with the royal wives of two reigning chiefs in attendance. Prior to the arrival of the missionaries, Hawaiian clothing wa
In an extract from his book Modern Quilting: A Contemporary Guide to Quilting by Hand, Julius Arthur charts how the traditions vary worldwide, their origins and importance
Objective: Students will be able to identify the work of artist Faith Ringgold and create their own work of art that tells a story! Vocabulary: Story Quilt, Symmetry, Reflection, Rotation, Slide, P…
Inside you'll find an easy Gee’s Bend Quilt art lesson for how to make a paper quilt project with your kids. Grab it for your classroom now (it’s free!)
A pojagi (noun) is a wrapping cloth, but it also refers to a whole collection of sewing techniques by both hand and machine.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the work of artist Faith Ringgold and create their own work of art that tells a story! Vocabulary: Story Quilt, Symmetry, Reflection, Rotation, Slide, P…
Are you looking for an activity for Black History Month that goes beyond reading passages on an influential Black American? Check out these themed square quilts! Students take what they know about any African-American and plug in their research into the boxes of this graphic organizer meant to look like a quilt. When finished, put them together as a class to create a cute bulletin board or display! File Type PDF & Digital Google Slides
Hi! I’m here today to share with you a meaningful art project for your younger students. This would be good as as a “getting to know you” activity. The following examples were all made by kindergartners near the end of the year, but I would think this lesson would be suitable for kids through grades 2. Many art teachers have taught about the artist Faith Ringgold and had their students create paper quilts. I have a free printable for you … Read more... →
Continuing our school celebration of Black History Month last year, my 1st grade students created Faith Ringgold story quilts. We started off the lesson by watching a Reading Rainbow video of Tar B…
Let’s learn about the quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and try our own simple quilt project. This is a bright and bold art history lesson which is a perfect addition to art lessons for Black History Month, and as part of a curriculum of art lessons for children inspired by famous artists. […]
Introducing our Multi-Check Patchwork Quilt, featuring vibrant hues in a contemporary checkered pattern. Inspired by Indian madras, a unique plaid design popularized in the 1960s, this quilt showcases rich cultural history with a modern twist. Crafted from 6 layers of 100% organic cotton and dyed with non-toxic dyes, it is pieced together from 60 individual panels. Intricate hand-stitching adds detailed charm, with the colorful pattern on the front and a solid reverse adorned with beautiful embroidery. Each modern patchwork quilt is an heirloom-quality piece, perfect for cozy movie nights and as a stylish design statement. Brighten your home by pairing this quilt with matching pillows, creating a colorful yet cozy atmosphere.
Part travelogue, history lesson and love story, "Following the Barn Quilt Trail" by Suzi Parron offers much more to readers than stories of barn quilts and the farms
Inside you'll find an easy Gee’s Bend Quilt art lesson for how to make a paper quilt project with your kids. Grab it for your classroom now (it’s free!)
People have long believed that the symbols used in quilts of the South during slavery were actually used as secret messages for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad. Come and learn the meaning of the blocks said to have lent the slaves a helping hand to freedom.
Look below for many free Candlewicking projects and patterns. If you are looking for tutorials and history on Candlewicking & Whitework, follow the link.
Quilt as you go tutorial - learn ths technique that helps you machine quilt BIG quilts with ease.
Two-Color Quilts Shine In Their Simplicity By Rebecca Bratburd With the largest ever fabric palette in history available to us, it’s a wonderful time to be a quilter. Yet, two-color quilts, with their muted honesty, offer a welcome vacation from the high volume that life brings to us in this day and age. Amy from Sewn Handmade built her Scandinavian Series on monochromatic and two-tone quilts, and it’s worth a deeper consideration. Speaking to minimalists, color enthusiasts and everyone in between, two-color quilts transcend trends and maintain their classic appeal— forever. At the same time, two-color quilts can transform a quilt pattern into a modern work of art. Both classic and modern, traditional and bold, two-color quilts shine in their simplicity. Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a black-and-white quilt, red-and-white quilt, or a blue-and-white quilt? Head over to the feeds of contemporary quiltmakers Megan Legrand, Lelie Lemon, Park Lane Studio for striking examples of modern-day, two-color quilts. Building a fabric stash and arriving at fabric pulls is a common conundrum we quilters find ourselves in. With an ever-expanding array of swoon-worthy prints and solid colors made available to us in fabric stores, it can be overwhelming to know what to do next. Plenty of quilters stick to using fabrics in solid colors, yet that still leaves hundreds of options on the table. Throw in small prints, dots, or calicos, and unless you have an art education, decision paralysis can get the best of us. With Amy’s black-and-white quilts serving as our guide, we recently caught up on all things quilting, and she shared some of her insights about the magic of two-color quilts. Rebecca Bratburd: What inspired you to write patterns that work well with two colors? Amy Schelle: When I decided to design a quilt pattern series that was inspired by each room in my house, I knew I wasn’t going to be sewing up any colorful quilts. My own design style is very neutral. I love soft, natural colors and textures, so when I went to pull fabrics, I was drawn to designing in black and white. RB: How did you arrive at using dark backgrounds for many of your quilts, like the cover quilts for the Sunroom, Living Room, and Mudroom patterns? AS: I honestly selected black as the background for its practicality. With two toddlers in the house, I knew it would show fewer stains. We use our quilts constantly around here. I also knew it would photograph well for the cover of the quilt patterns themselves. I wanted the cover to be very simple in design with a white background. RB: The more practical it is, the more a quilt will be used, which is what most of us hope for. How would you describe your thought process behind your monochromatic quilt pattern designs? AS: I specifically go for black, white, and gray because that’s what looks best in my home. These quilts float around our entire house, so now it doesn’t matter what room they are in, they match! For my most recent series, the Scandinavian Series, I wanted to give people the option to add more color, so I intentionally designed these in more of a gradient. My hope is that this will also help people when they are trying to choose fabrics for their quilt by pulling their fabrics from darkest to lightest. I think it can be overwhelming for people to visualize and pull fabrics for a new quilt, especially when you are standing in a quilt store surrounded by a million beautiful options! My hope is that this will simplify it for them. RB: You have a love for beautiful interiors. Before you make a quilt, or write a quilt pattern, do you first envision it in your beautifully-designed home or a room you saw on Instagram or in a magazine? I’m looking at The Citizenry, Design Within Reach, Muuto, etc. AS: YES! I am always, always inspired by The Citizenry. As I mentioned, I consider what room the quilt will live in at my own house, but mostly I let myself get lost in Pinterest for a while and just explore rooms that speak to me. I love McGee & Co as well! Their interiors are so simple and clean, yet still interesting. I also find a lot of inspiration in tile designers like Ann Sacks or Fireclay Tile. My goal is to always design a pattern that will look fabulous in a well-designed space. RB: If we looked at your current fabric stash, would we find a mostly monochromatic collection, or would we find that you, like the best of us, end up with a dizzying array of colors and prints? AS: Everything I have is very neutral and earthy. I also don’t keep a huge stash on hand because I get very stressed out by clutter. I sort my fabrics by color and the two largest bins are black, white, brown, and off-white. If I have other colors, they are more natural colors like blue and green. I don’t really have any prints at all. I love to use a variety of textures, so you will mostly find a mix of solid cottons, wovens, linens, and canvas. If I use a print, it’s usually on the back of a quilt so when I order it, it goes right onto a specific quilt. RB: You’ve released three of the four patterns from your Scandinavian Series. Quilt kits are available from Pasadena Quilt Studio, Rosie Girl Quilting, Lamb and Loom, and Rose Petal Quilt Shop. Some have two colors, some have more. How do these collaborations come to be? Why might these kits be a great option for beginners and seasoned quilters alike? AS: All of these collaborations have happened organically with time. We have all found each other through Instagram! Some of these shops pull their own fabrics and sew up their own samples. Some of them let me select the fabrics, then they sew up the sample. If I am pulling the fabrics, I make sure it will vary from any versions I am making so that customers will be able to visualize a variety of options. Kits have become such a hit because it takes out the guesswork. Customers can see what the finished quilt will look like so it’s not as much of a risk when you’re buying all that fabric. You know it’s going to be gorgeous. For example, I have a friend that wanted to make quilts for both her daughter-in-laws, who aren’t quilters. This made it much easier for her to show them options before purchasing a bunch of fabric they may not like. RB: Any last thoughts on two-color quilts? AS: Quilt patterns with two-color cover quilts age better, I was recently told by a quilt shop that sells paper copies of my patterns. Patterns can appear dated more quickly if the cover version of the quilt is done in trending fabrics. Black and white is pretty timeless! They also said it helps their customers select fabrics more easily because it’s only two colors. You Might Also Enjoy Reading: Quilt Studio Tour Sewn Home Quilt Pattern Series Sewn Scandinavian Series
Learn how to do Trapunto embroidery and quilting
In this Ming Vase Art Lesson, students will design their own Ming Vase while learning about this valuable art form, and it's place in history. Grades K-1.
Wow, double “free” in my post title tonight!! First of all, I am SUPER excited because I uploaded my first item EVER to TPT tonight! Wooo hoo! I had been wanting to make a desk fairy note forever, and then I found these adorable St. Patty’s Day monster graphics by the amazing KPM Doodles and […]
