Order Form for Autographed Copy - Harriet Powers book

If you would like to order an autographed copy of "This I Accomplish: Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt and Other Pieces," simply click here to download the order form. The book is getting very positive reviews from those who have read it. Thank you for supporting my research in African American quilting! Best, Kyra

Lillian Blades' Quilted Passages at Atlanta Airport

Next time you are at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport near the escalators at Gate E, check out Bahamian artist Lillian Blades' public installation "Quilted Passages." Click here to learn more about the Hartsfield-Jackson Art Program. Enjoy!

Quilts with Soul - Ohio Historical Society

Quilts with Soul opens December 12 and runs through February 28, 2010. The exhibit at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus includes seven extraordinary art quilts from the permanent collections of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. Represented are the works of some of the country’s best-known African American women quilters today: Carolyn Mazloomi, Peggie Hartwell, Anita Knox, Ed Johnetta Miller, Mary Reed Daniel, and Sandra Gould Ford. Enjoy!

Happy 10th Anniversary - Sankofa Seam Alliance Quilters

Happy 10th Anniversary to the Sankofa Seam Alliance Quilters of Louisville, KY! Stitch on!

Quilt for Louisville KY Police Chief Robert White

Reporter Rachel Platt of Channel 11 News in Louisville, KY recently interviewed Police Chief Robert White about his tenure as the city's top cop. I was more amazed to see the quilt his wife, Sistah Quilter Valerie White, stitched when her husband became the chief in Greensboro, North Carolina. Enjoy!

Needle Rules! Society of Detroit publishes quilting books

Sistah quilters of the Needle Rules! Society have published "One Stitch At a Time," a 24 page full-color book documenting an inter-generational quiltmaking workshop. The text was written by Louise Hamm and photographs taken by Christina Drane. The book is available via the website Blurb for $50 softback and $60 hardback.

Also available is "For the L.O.V.E. of FABRIC" by LaDonne Young of the Needle Rules! Society, with photographs by Christina Drane. This book is also full-color, 26 pages, and available from Blurb for the same prices.

Be sure to click on both book titles and see the Preview for both books. Enjoy!

Opening Day: 14 Quilts Celebrating the Life and Times of Negro League Baseball by Sonie Ruffin

Congratulations to Sonie Ruffin for the publication earlier this year of "Opening Day: 14 Quilts Celebrating the Life and Times of Negro League Baseball." This book was influenced, according to the book's description, by Sonie's "regular lunch meetings" with famed Negro League player Buck O'Neill (1911-2006) of the with the Kansas City Monarchs. This softcover, full-color 112 page book includes 14 quilt patterns illustrating various aspects of the Negro League baseball history. Enjoy!

The Journey of an African American Quilt Artist - Aisha Lumumba

So glad to meet Aisha Lumumba! Enjoy!

Autograph copy of Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria

Have you or a little one you know read "Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria"? This is the true story of a young girl's 50 year quest to meet the queen of England despite being ridiculed by family and friends. This 40 page picture book retails for $16.95 - however, for the holiday season, you can order an autograph copy directly from me for $15 + s/h. Just download this order form - US shipping only. Enjoy!

Michelle Obama Inauguration Coat - Butterwick B5396

Have you seen the Butterwick pattern B5396 featuring the coat the First Lady wore on a certain January 2009 breezy day? Take a moment to read the blog post from Carolyn at Day of a Sewing Fanatic - She reviews both the yellow dress jacket and a tan and black coat Mrs. Obama wore (see Butterwick B5399). I remain amazed at how far-reaching the First Family has inspired different areas of life. Enjoy!

Oprah is leaving - Links to Oprah-themed Quilts

By now, we've all heard the news that Oprah Winfrey will stop production of her daytime TV show after 25 years. I took a quick look on the Internet and located these Oprah-themed art quilts. Check out Gayla McAlary's pieced and appliqued "Oprah" quilt (just a close-up is shown here. Click here and scroll down to bottom of the page.). Another Oprah-inspired quilt, by Gayle McKay, toured in the 2007 exhibit "She Made Her Mark Too" - Click here to see the quilt. And, finally, if you are a regular to the Black Threads blog, you might remember this Oprah quilt stitched in Louisiana in 2006 - click here. Enjoy!

Mother Willie Mae Brown and her 45 year old pieced quilt in Denver

I wish I could meet Mother Brown in person! The African American Quilters Guild of Denver, CO, founded in 1988, has posted eight videos from a show earlier this year. Take a moment to see the 2 minute videos featuring quilters Winnie Anderson, Dr. Adrienne Bryant, Rosie Smith who made quilts for her 10 grandkids, Erma Weekly,a retired electrician who shares her Flying Geese quilt, Mrs. Geneva Chapman who shares the story of her flower basket appliqued quilt, and Darla Sipp-Wells who gives us a peek at her finished pink and green marriage quilt. Many thanks to the Guild for sharing the show to all of us to see! Enjoy!

New! Pieced Symbols: Quilt Blocks from the Global Village

Congratulations to Sistah Quilter Dr. Myrah Brown Green on the publication of her new quilt book Pieced Symbols: Quilt Blocks from the Global Village!

Published by Lark Books, this 144-page pattern book is, according to the release "[p]art global quilting travelogue, part cultural history, this artful, useful guide gives quilters all they need to create a variety of foundation piece quilt blocks featuring symbols from across the world. The designs range from the Asian om and Australian rainbow spirit to the American Indian turtle and African ankh. Each chapter features inspiring examples of how to incorporate the symbols into finished quilts, while tip boxes throughout share interesting information about their meanings and cross-cultural uses." What I love is that the blocks are made by a variety of quilters - some you're sure to know!

Myrah will be speaking on Friday in NY City - sponsored by the Harlem Needle Arts and HueMan Bookstore. Open to the public - click here for more info. Enjoy!

Nalo Hopkinson's fabrics - now for sale!

Nalo Hopkinson's fabrics - now for sale on Spoonflower.com - including this one called "Bubbles". Enjoy!

Amazing Wonders: Quilts by African Americans of the Northern California Region

Do take an hour to visit 40 Acres Art Gallery in Sacramento, CA to see "Amazing Wonders: Quilts by African-Americans of the Northern California Region." The exhibit features over 30 quilts by artists living and working in the region. Accompanying the exhibit will be a 32-page softbound catalog (shown here. This quilt on the cover is by Marion Coleman).

Quilters include: Patricia Bass Bailey, Elizabeth Browder, Blanche Brown, Sherry Byrd, Alice Calhoun, Loretta Cohen, Marion Coleman, Jamie Gladney-Presley, Marilyn Handis, Sarah Holloway and Mother Minne Williamson, Connie Horne, Benita Jones, Niambi Kee, Marilyn Lacey, Debbie Mason, Patricia A. Montgomery, Ann Seals, Nerlene Taylor, Angie Tobias, La Quita Tummings, Julia Vitero, Dolores Vitero Presley, Johnnie Wade, and Katie Wishom. Kim Curry-Evans is the curator. The exhibit is from October 13 to December 23, 2009. A California friend sent me the catalog as a gift. If you collect African American quilt books and catalog, be sure to call the gallery to see how to get this one for your collection! It's worth it! Enjoy!

Vlisco - new Frozen Dreams fabric collection

I simply love the way Vlisco presents "Frozen Dreams," its new fabric collection! Just wish the dresses were available in the US! Enjoy!

Disney's Princess and the Frog - when will there be quilting fabric?

The new Disney movie the Princess and the Frog will open in the next few weeks. There's sure to be loads of licensed or themed products. I can't wait to get the cotton fabrics! I have a stash of African-American themed prints - and would like to add this new African American Disney Princess. This cover (photo) is a baby blanket. There are also twin comforters and sheet sets. Does anyone know if there is quilting fabric available? Do leave a comment here. Enjoy!