THIS IS A DIGITAL PDF PATTERN FOR THE QUILT. IT IS NOT THE QUILT! Gee’s Bend Strips and Strings: 50” x 75” Original quilt by Mary Lee Bendolph: 49” x 74” Redrafted for today’s quilters by Debby Kratovil The quilt on the cover is my adaptation of Mary Lee Bendolph’s quilt and was beautifully quilted by Connie Gallant. This quilt is owned by Windham Fabrics and hangs in their offices in New Jersey. Now you can create your own version of this popular Gee's Bend quilt! The original Strips & Strings Quilt was created by Mary Lee Bendolph. Windham Fabrics acquired the rights to adapt this pattern from Ms. Bendolph and asked Debby Kratovil to write the pattern. All cutting, piecing, and assembly instructions/diagrams are clearly illustrated inside, along with a photo of the original quilt and the designer, Ms. Bendolph. Debby retains the rights to this pattern. NOTE: THERE ARE A FEW UPDATES TO THE CUTTING OF THE STRIPS. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE LAST 2 PAGES OF THE PATTERN FOR THESE CHANGES/EDITS. SIZING / FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 50" x 75" You can see fabric requirements in the fourth image above. These fabrics were created by Windham Fabrics in partnership with Debby for the most realistic approach to making a copy of Ms. Bendolph’s quilt. Any solids - and even batiks - will work perfectly.

To celebrate Black History Month last year at school, I wanted each grade level to create a collective class quilt, made up of individual squares created by the students. They were displayed during…

Textile designer Lori Weitzner travels to a historic Quilts Festival in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, home to a remarkable tradition of abstract art.

This past year or so has been a little bit of a journey of sorts- through exploring Gee's Bend Quilts. During 2018 in the Salt Lake Modern quilt group, I designed a Gee's Bend Inspired

The quilts of Gee's Bend - a powerful example of impoverished, black women creating works of art from scraps of fabric. Their story and work are inspiring.

I picked up a little packet of postcards at an antique store a while back. A small bundle of color, pattern and inspiration. The postcards f...

This was just one of the many gorgeous quilts on display at the De Young Museum in San Francisco today. Can you believe that this was made around 1950? It looks like it would be completely at home in one...

To celebrate Black History Month last year at school, I wanted each grade level to create a collective class quilt, made up of individual squares created by the students. They were displayed during…

This week I have shared one of my favorite creative groups with the 2nd graders- the women quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama. I love so many of the designs that these women have made over the years. The colors, compositions, and materials are all so engaging. Their abstractions rival the work of any number of modern masters. Plus, you could keep warm with one of their quilts. You can't say the same about a Mondrian:) We looked at where Gee's Bend is on a map and talked about what quilts are, how they are made, and how they can have dual purposes (looking cool and keeping warm). I also shared that quilt making can be both an individual process and a collaborative one. We also discussed how the quilters would reuse and recycle materials in their quilts because they lacked the money to buy new materials. Each or the students made their own small (12x12") paper collage quilt and then contributed that piece to a larger class quilt. I plan on displaying all 10 class quilts in the auditorium this month. Each class used different color combinations. All the quilts were started by using a Gee's Bend "housetop" pattern. After adding 3 or 4 colors this way, then students could add more details to their quilts so each of their designs was a unique section. Each quilt averages 7 x 3 feet.

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!)

Welcome to the art room at Maple Glen Elementary in Westfield, IN. Maple Glen is a K-4 building awarded Indiana's most Outstanding/Successful Schools in 2011! We are an Indiana Four Star School! Please check in now and then to catch up on what we have been studying and what's coming soon! You may learn more about Maple Glen by visiting the school's web-site at http://www.wws.k12.in.us Select "Schools" and click on Maple Glen Elementary.

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!)

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. […]

The quilts of Gee's Bend - a powerful example of impoverished, black women creating works of art from scraps of fabric. Their story and work are inspiring.

To end the 16 week program, I thought the kids would have fun making quilt blocks using postcards of the Alabama Gee's Bend Quilts as inspiration. It was also a fantastic way to use up all of the paper scraps and strips I save from cutting paper during the year! I didn't want the students to "copy" the quilt from the postcard, but I thought if they drew out the basic shapes they saw on their postcard, it would be a way for them to "study" the different layers, and think about what piece of fabric was sewn first, and what was layered on top of that, etc. Students wrote the name of the quilt on the back of their tagboard, or they came up with their own names :) I set up a line of bins at the front of the classroom, each having a different color paper in it. I also put out a box of pre-cut smaller strips and larger squares. Students grabbed what they wanted and started arranging. I observed that many of the kids wanted to do the very small details first, and I reminded them about how quilts often have many layers, big shapes on the bottom with more detailed things on the top. The final step was to make their quilts more "personal", as the quilts of Gee's Bend were made of clothing that women and their communities wore. So I had students use a medium of choice: oil pastel or Sharpie and add line patterns, symbolism, texture, very open ended. Check 'em out! Class #1 - Click to Enlarge Class #2 - (Click to Enlarge)

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!)

Read our guide to the best children's books about quilts! These beautiful quilt themed books are loved by both children and quilters!

Surround yourself with the art of the legendary Alabama quilters, thanks to a partnership with Etsy, Nest, and Souls Grown Deep

I first saw them 20 years ago, when they were on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. My time as design director for Jack Lenor Larsen had instilled in me an intense interest in, and abiding respect for, artisan communities, and the pieces on exhibit that day were among the most inspired I had seen. Even the oldest of the quilts—antiques by then—had an originality that felt contemporary, a modern sensibility in arrangement of pattern and color that defied their age, the

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!)

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!)

Travel through Pearl's family history as you color your way through this companion to the children's book, Pearl and her Gee's Bend Quilt. Can you unscramble the Sunday dinner menu? Can you help Pearl design her very own Gee's Bend quilt? Can you design your very own family quilt?

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...

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!)

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!)

This cute cat is one of my favorite paper collage for kids projects. I love the look of the black marker shapes on the newsprint body.

Bring art and African American history together with this easy, but lovely quilt art project inspired by the talented quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama.

Fun and engaging ideas to get to know your students at the beginning of the school year. Build a strong classroom community with these free resources.

If you’re looking for easy craft projects for your kids, you’re in the right place. These kid’s crafts, arts & creative DIY projects are fun for all ages. Our how -to craft tutorials include step by step directions to encourage independent craft time with minimal parental supervision (so you can get more stuff done).

Easy quilts to make in a day. A lot of beautiful patterns, designs, and quilt ideas for you to make in one day only and the tips to finish it

(This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.) Free Printable First Day of School Flags – Pencil Here’s a set of free printable First Day of…

Straight line quilting is fast and fantastic. Come to Bonjour Quilts for a ton of straight line quilting designs and tips you can use today.

Quilt bindings are the most magical, and sometime confusing part of quilt making, especially for a new quilter! I shared a tutorial a few years back, but have adapted and made a few changes as I’ve grown as a quilter, and thought it was enough to update the post. Any tips or suggestions you might […]

Find lots of EASY quilt block tutorials that are perfect for beginners. These blocks might look hard to make, but they're perfect for the new quilter.

You are a great teacher (that's why you're checking out products related to building relationships) and you know how important it is to spend time getting to know WHO your students are before you jump head first into content. This post will give you some ideas you can use to start buildi

Have you tried using Collaborative Posters in the Classroom? Collaborative posters are a fantastic way to build a culture of teamwork and unity in your

Pencil Name Craft For Kids | Fun back to school learning idea. Use a free printable PDF template to cut out & make. Great for preschool, pre k & kindergarten.

Easy back to school dinner ideas! These fun weeknight dinners are kid-approved and perfect for picky eaters.

16 Make-Ahead Cold Lunch Ideas to Prep for Work This Week - Try prepping these awesome cold lunch ideas when you can't reheat your lunch!

Find lots of EASY quilt block tutorials that are perfect for beginners. These blocks might look hard to make, but they're perfect for the new quilter.

Never made a quilt as you go block before? This tutorial will show you all about quilting as you go method - easy and for beginners!