Nike's Black History Month - limited edition shoes - Does LeBron quilt?

Nike is celebrating Black History Month with an international flare. They are focusing on three different, emotional moments for players of color from the USA, Brazil, and Kenya. For the US side, the moment is the Women's Basketball team won gold at the 1996 Olympics.

Nike has also issued a limited edition set of Black History shoes. Yeah, I know this is a quilt history blog. But, check out the LeBron 9 BHM shoes. What a fabulous kente cloth inspiration. It reminds me of the 1998 landmark exhibit "Wrapped in Pride: Ghanaian Kente and African American Identity" Have a look here at the Nike Insight site to see the other shoes in the Black History 2012 collection - they also have a quilt-theme going on.

Quilters on the court!? Football great Rosey Grier did needlepoint. Do you think that LeBron quilts? What kind of quilts would LeBron stitch? Traditional, story? hand or machine? What say you!? Enjoy!

Jae Jarrell's Urban Wall Suit, ca 1969

This righteous "Urban Wall Suit" was stitched by textile artist and clothes designer Jae Jarrell ca. 1969.

According to David Lusenhop, an independent scholar who focuses on the Black Arts Movement, "This garment was exhibited in the first AfriCOBRA exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1970. Jae plays off traditions including quilting, graffiti, and high fashion... It's an important work, and represents the extension of the AfriCOBRA ideas in to the street, where one can represent in public, and not just in visual arts venues like museums and galleries."

Now my appetite is whet to learn more about Ms. Jarrell and about AfriCOBRA! Do you know much about the movement? There's a Fans of AfriCOBRA on Facebook - have a look at the nearly 100 photos. I wonder where the Urban Wall Suit is today. Do you think quilted fashions can make such a political statement today? Do tell! Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of the Azzi-Lusenhop Black Arts Movement Collection, Chicago. Thanks Mr. L!

Coach Ergo Patchwork purse - WHY??

Call me old fashion .... Give me CLASSIC Coach. I can't see paying $648 plus tax for this quilted suede, velvet with leather trim fashion - the Coach Ergo Patchwork.

The Griots of Fiber - jacket exhibit in Kansas

If you're in Wichita, be sure to make a stop at the Kansas African American Museum. On exhibit now until August 31 is "The Griots of Fiber - Wrapped in The Feeling: The Story Coat Exhibition." The 16 pieces in the exhibit, according to the Wichita Eagle, are "brightly colored "Story Coats" that celebrate music, honor family, explore African-American culture and remember the civil rights era." Enjoy the eight artists featured:

• Barbara McCraw (Denton, Texas)
• Trish Williams (Chicago)
• Vicki Meek (Dallas)
• Liani Foster (Washington, D.C.)
• Jacqui Dorsey (San Antonio)
• Sammie Nicely (Atlanta)
• Aundra McCoy (Memphis)
• Anita Holman Knox (Kansas)

Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag - UGLY!

Would you PAY or WASTE $45,000 or $52,500 for this purse? Did you see this Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag in today's newspaper? Apparently, there was a limited edition of 24 worldwide. Louis and company went to their store room and picked out 14 purses, cut them up, reassembled them into these limited edition (er, silly) totes.

I'm all for the patchwork fabric! And, in fact, love patchwork quilting. But this purse, yuck! From one account, Beyonce owns one of the 24. Don't let me influence you, though. What do you think? Would you buy it?

Crocheting - Easy Granny Square Swimsuit

Most sistah quilters I know are involved in multiple crafts .... doll making, knitting, or crocheting. Remember making granny squares? There's an interesting blog, Granny-Along, devoted to the squares. Following various links, I came across this granny square swimsuit. I love it! You can download the instructions, I don't know the language, one blogger says its Turkish. I probably wouldn't make the suit (ok, wouldn't WEAR it), but maybe modified as a summer tank top? What do you think?