Well Seasoned Sisters Cookbook by Sisters in Stitches Joined By the Cloth

Just published! The Sisters In Stitches Joined By The Cloth, the only African American quilting guild in New England, has just published a cookbook titled Well Seasoned Sisters Cookbook. Guild members offer family recipes and beautiful quilts in this book. There are over 100 recipes and 30 color photos. The book is available to order on Lulu.com - just click here. Enjoy!

PS 31 Kids Explore African Arts and Quilting

Read a wonderful article from the Staten Island Advance about art and music teacher Emily Ellison and her year-long curriculum to teach various aspects of African arts and crafts to PS31 third, forth, and fifth graders. They have learned about African masks, weaving, embroidery and quilting. The class visited the Sandy Ground Historical Society Museum to see African American quilts there. They are now making a class quilt with each student stitching their own block. According to the article, teacher Ellison challenged the students to consider:

"What kind of design represents you the best? What if someone found our quilt 500 years from now? What will your design say about you?

What a wonderful classroom experience! Are there similar programs in your community? Enjoy!

Sandy Ground Historical Society - Staten Island, NY

The Sandy Ground Historical Society Museum and Library has this wonderful story quilt (photo). Sandy Ground, on the south shore side of Staten Island, was founded in the early 19th century by freed black men from New York. The museum offers arts and crafts programs, at times some are focused on African American quilts. During spring and summer, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 1 - 4pm. Call 718-317-5796 for more information. Enjoy!

African American Quilt Circle Quilts at the Hayti Heritage Center

African American Quilt Circle of Durham, North Carolina presents their bi-annual exhibition, “Reflections” in the Lyda Moore Merrick Gallery at the Hayti Heritage Center, February 4- March 30, 2011. The AAQC, founded in 1998 by four African-American women (Bertie Howard, Jereann King, Candace Thomas and Helen Sanders), has over 60 members today. Enjoy!

Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum Quilt Symposium & Workshop April 2

Have you visited the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum in Lancaster, PA? This is the museum known for its renowned collection of antique Amish Quilts from the former Esprit Collection.

On Saturday, April 2, 2011, there will be a one-day quilt symposium and workshop. Historian and author Lynne Zacek Bassett will examine textiles that women created to honor their country and their fighting menfolk in her talk "Textiles of the Civil War." Kyra Hicks will share insights on "200 Years of African American Quilt History" in the morning. In the afternoon, Kyra will lead a workshop titled How to Tell Your Stories Through Quilts. There will also be a book signing. The entire day is just $15. Enjoy!

Stitched Ballads with Dr. Patricia Turner - MOAD in San Fran

If you are in the San Francisco area Saturday, March 12, 2011, visit the Museum of the African Diaspora to hear Dr. Patricia Turner's presentation "Stitched Ballads." The presentation is free with museum admissions. Dr. Turner is the author of Crafted Lives: Stories and Studies of African American Quilters. Additionally, there will be a quilting workshop with master quilter Marion Coleman on the same day. The exhibit Textural Rhythms: Constructing the Jazz Tradition, Contemporary African American Quilts is currently at the museum. Click here for all events and times. Enjoy!

Tara Evans - Omaha Quilter

Wanted to introduce you to Tara Evans, a quilter in Nebraska! She shared with me how she started quilting:

Well, back in 2003, I bought an old sewing machine from a local pond shop. I had a friend of mine who made photo memory quilts and I couldn't afford to purchase one so I decided to try to make one myself. I became discouraged because an advanced seamstress saw how crooked my lines were and how my machine was not of the best quality and discouraged me.

Well, last year my Mom turned 80 and I wanted to give her a photo memory quilt with all her kids and grandkids on it....I spoke to my niece who quilts, Akita , who encouraged me greatly by saying, "Aunt Tara if you can sew a straight line then you can quilt." Out of the mouth of babes,...I tell you! I was so happy to hear such encouragement that I dug out all of my quilt supplies and books ...I spoke to my daughter who told me that if I wanted to learn how to do anything just go to You Tube! These kids know EVERYTHING! So, I watched a beginner's quilting video series over and over until I got the process down....the rest is history!

You can see Tara making a photo memory quilt for her great niece, Mikelle. I think its marvelous that Tara didn't let the negative words of others discourage her forever. Happy Sewing Tara! Enjoy!

"Holding Grandmother's Quilt" Mural in Philadelphia

Donald Gensler created the two-part mural, "Holding Grandmother's Quilt" in 2004 with the assistance of Angela Crafton and students from the University of Pennsylvania. The mural is located at Aspen St and N 39th Street. One part shows local resident elder Ruth Jones sewing a quilt while three children, in the second mural, hold onto the bottom the quilt. These murals are part of the Philadelphia program, Mural Arts Program. Are there any quilt-themed murals in your neighborhood? Enjoy!

Felix St. Fort's Mural of “Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles”

Next time you're in Philadelphia, visit Felix St. Fort's 2007 mural featuring “Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles,” a quilt by Faith Ringgold. The mural is located at 1756 N 29th Street. This and other Philly murals can be found at MuralFarm.org.