We welcome and foster a thriving quilting community composed of a diverse group of quilters and quilting perspectives.
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our friend and fellow Inclusion and Diversity committee member, Sharron McElmeel. Sharron joined the committee in April 2021. She jumped into the work feet first and graciously shared her time and energy to move us forward. Sharron shared her expertise with the group by formatting the citations for resources we distributed about diverse quilting perspectives. Sharron also designed our logo. We are honored to have known Sharron and send our sincere condolences to her family. She will be greatly missed.
-Erin Lauer, Gail Williams, Marcia Hinrichs, Deb Thomas, and Lee Buhr
The EIHQ Inclusion and Diversity Committee was formed by the board in June 2020. The current committee members are Erin Lauer, Gail Williams, Lee Buhr, Marcia Hinrichs, and Deb Thomas. We'd love for you to join us.
We already have a longstanding statement in our bylaws that says “membership shall be open to any person.” The committee has been discussing the topics of diversity and inclusion as they apply to our guild.
We’d like to know what you think. Please contact any of the committee members with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions.
Recognizing the Diverse Heritage of QuiltingThe history of quilting did not just start with the quilting bees of the pioneer days. Many cultures have infused their traditions into the making of both practical and artistic quilts – piecing and quilting using motifs, colors, and techniques from their traditions. Here are a few articles on the Internet that share some cultural insights into the world of quilting today.
Bisa Butler: Portraits — Exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). Bisa Butler: Portraits | The Art Institute of Chicago. https://bit.ly/bisabutlerportraits
EXHIBIT: The exhibit of Butler’s work will be at the Art Institute through September 6, 2021. Bisa Butler’s portrait quilts vividly capture personal and historical narratives of Black life. Bisa Butler is a fabric artist utilizing layers of fabric to form portrait compositions Threads are used to add detail and text of her many portraits. Her art has been influenced by family photo albums, the philosophies of AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), Romare Bearden’s collages, Faith Ringgold’s quilts, and Gordon Parks’s photographs. The Art institute’s website previews many of Butler’s work that is featured in the exhibition. Her work is expressive and captures many nuances of the African American Culture and experience.
African American Quilts
Lesso, Rosie. (2020, November 17). Celebrating Diversity: Contemporary African American Quilts. The———Thread. (Blog) http://bit.ly/celebratingdiversity2020
“African-American quilts are not simply a set of colors, techniques, or patterns. They’re a celebration of culture by artists who understand and love it best.”
~ Ellison Langford, Scalawag Magazine, 2019
Celebrating Women
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. (n.d.) Gallery of Quilt Blocks. (WEB Site). http://bit.ly/womens-quilts
This site shares over 300 quilt blocks submitted to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. These blocks represent all aspects of the struggle for significant women’s rights people, places, events, and issues.
The submission deadline has passed but the museum is still accepting blocks for future quilts. More information is available on their quilt project home page http://bit.ly/SBA-quiltproject
And a collaborative blog regarding the project is available on historian Barbara Brackman’s Blog:
Brackman, Barbara. (2020 January 5). 2020 Centennial --- Susan B. Anthony House. Material Culture: Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman’s Blog about Quilts & Fabric Past & Present (BLOG) http://bit.ly/Brackman-2020
International Cultures
#femedtech. (2020 February). Month: February 2020. (WEB). http://bit.ly/quilts-femed
This project curates quilt blocks representing various international cultures. This page is a gallery of submitted quilt blocks. The visuals are interesting but by clicking on individual pictures will take viewers to a page detailing the significance of each block. Each block has subtle but significant elements that highlight a fact/idea related to the culture the block is representing. Not all involve sewing but will provide insight into the culture and perhaps provide inspiration for the creation of a sewn quilt block that represents a part of a selected culture with relevance to individual quilters.
Quilts as Women’s Shelter: A Project
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textures. (2020 July). Quilts as Women’s Shelter Celebrates its 10th Anniversary. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. (WEB) http://bit.ly/quiltsforwomen
This is a description (with video) of a project started by local organizations in San Jose that use quilts and quilt making
The Quilts as Women’s Shelter project uses quilts as a means to bring a positive, healing experience to women who have had their lives changed by domestic violence. Quilts as Women's Shelter is a curriculum-based program that teaches participants the basics of design, color theory and quilt making.
African American Quilts from Gee’s Bend
McElmeel, Sharron. (2021, February 12). Gee's Bend Quilts - African American Quilts. McBookwords (Blog). http://bit.ly/AL-geesbend.
This blog post summarizes the history of the Quilts made by the women of Gee’s Bend and shares additional links leading to more information about the tradition that has become known world-wide as the Quilts of Gee’s Bend.
Guatemalan Textiles used in Quilts
Bianchi, Priscilla. (2001-2019). Priscilla Bianchi (Website). http://bit.ly/guatemalaPB
Priscilla Bianchi is a textile artist who uses the fabric she creates. Priscilla's art quilts are so vibrantly colorful and striking. She uses Mayan Guatemalan textiles in her quilting. She also was offering tours as recently as 2020.
Some of her links are in Spanish. If you access her site through Chrome (browser) you can use the translation function to translate the page into English.
Narrative/Art Quilts
Mazloomi, Carolyn L. (n.d.) Carolyn L. Mazloomi: Artist. Writer, Independent Curator. (Website). http://bit.ly/quiltsCM
“As an artist, I strongly believe art has the capacity to touch the spirt, engage, educate, and heal in ways that words alone cannot.” ! Carolyn L. Mazloomi
Mazloomi shares her philosophy and a gallery/exhibitions featuring her art quilts that celebrate and honors many diverse lifestyles and experiences.
Quilts as Cultural Documents
Campbell, Dr. Denise M. (n.d.) Legacies in Cloth: Preserving “A Soft Place to Land.” Black Art in America. http://bit.ly/blackartinamerica
Dr. Campbell discusses the preservation of the legacy of African American quilts with Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Mazloomi also discuss the role of quilts as cultural documents.
Preserving African American Quilts and Their Stories
Hicks, Kyra E. (n.d.) Kyra E. Hicks: Author, Artist, Quilter & African American Quilting Researcher. http://bit.ly/kyraehicks
Kyra E. Hicks is a self-taught, skilled crafter who uses cotton to explore political, religious, family and romantic themes. Her original story quilts document her experiences as a young, black, single woman.” She has had her work featured in various museums in New York and Washington, DC. She hosts two African American quilting blogs (“Black Threads” and “Publish Your Quilts”), and encourages [African American] quilters to document their work. She loves to research the lives of quilters past. She has written books for all ages. She also includes a list of African American quilting guilds and quilters. Kyra is available for speaking, workshops and book signings. The following are topics she can present, or she can tailor a presentation for a guild:
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our friend and fellow Inclusion and Diversity committee member, Sharron McElmeel. Sharron joined the committee in April 2021. She jumped into the work feet first and graciously shared her time and energy to move us forward. Sharron shared her expertise with the group by formatting the citations for resources we distributed about diverse quilting perspectives. Sharron also designed our logo. We are honored to have known Sharron and send our sincere condolences to her family. She will be greatly missed.
-Erin Lauer, Gail Williams, Marcia Hinrichs, Deb Thomas, and Lee Buhr
The EIHQ Inclusion and Diversity Committee was formed by the board in June 2020. The current committee members are Erin Lauer, Gail Williams, Lee Buhr, Marcia Hinrichs, and Deb Thomas. We'd love for you to join us.
We already have a longstanding statement in our bylaws that says “membership shall be open to any person.” The committee has been discussing the topics of diversity and inclusion as they apply to our guild.
We’d like to know what you think. Please contact any of the committee members with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions.
Recognizing the Diverse Heritage of QuiltingThe history of quilting did not just start with the quilting bees of the pioneer days. Many cultures have infused their traditions into the making of both practical and artistic quilts – piecing and quilting using motifs, colors, and techniques from their traditions. Here are a few articles on the Internet that share some cultural insights into the world of quilting today.
Bisa Butler: Portraits — Exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). Bisa Butler: Portraits | The Art Institute of Chicago. https://bit.ly/bisabutlerportraits
EXHIBIT: The exhibit of Butler’s work will be at the Art Institute through September 6, 2021. Bisa Butler’s portrait quilts vividly capture personal and historical narratives of Black life. Bisa Butler is a fabric artist utilizing layers of fabric to form portrait compositions Threads are used to add detail and text of her many portraits. Her art has been influenced by family photo albums, the philosophies of AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), Romare Bearden’s collages, Faith Ringgold’s quilts, and Gordon Parks’s photographs. The Art institute’s website previews many of Butler’s work that is featured in the exhibition. Her work is expressive and captures many nuances of the African American Culture and experience.
African American Quilts
Lesso, Rosie. (2020, November 17). Celebrating Diversity: Contemporary African American Quilts. The———Thread. (Blog) http://bit.ly/celebratingdiversity2020
“African-American quilts are not simply a set of colors, techniques, or patterns. They’re a celebration of culture by artists who understand and love it best.”
~ Ellison Langford, Scalawag Magazine, 2019
Celebrating Women
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. (n.d.) Gallery of Quilt Blocks. (WEB Site). http://bit.ly/womens-quilts
This site shares over 300 quilt blocks submitted to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. These blocks represent all aspects of the struggle for significant women’s rights people, places, events, and issues.
The submission deadline has passed but the museum is still accepting blocks for future quilts. More information is available on their quilt project home page http://bit.ly/SBA-quiltproject
And a collaborative blog regarding the project is available on historian Barbara Brackman’s Blog:
Brackman, Barbara. (2020 January 5). 2020 Centennial --- Susan B. Anthony House. Material Culture: Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman’s Blog about Quilts & Fabric Past & Present (BLOG) http://bit.ly/Brackman-2020
International Cultures
#femedtech. (2020 February). Month: February 2020. (WEB). http://bit.ly/quilts-femed
This project curates quilt blocks representing various international cultures. This page is a gallery of submitted quilt blocks. The visuals are interesting but by clicking on individual pictures will take viewers to a page detailing the significance of each block. Each block has subtle but significant elements that highlight a fact/idea related to the culture the block is representing. Not all involve sewing but will provide insight into the culture and perhaps provide inspiration for the creation of a sewn quilt block that represents a part of a selected culture with relevance to individual quilters.
Quilts as Women’s Shelter: A Project
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textures. (2020 July). Quilts as Women’s Shelter Celebrates its 10th Anniversary. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. (WEB) http://bit.ly/quiltsforwomen
This is a description (with video) of a project started by local organizations in San Jose that use quilts and quilt making
The Quilts as Women’s Shelter project uses quilts as a means to bring a positive, healing experience to women who have had their lives changed by domestic violence. Quilts as Women's Shelter is a curriculum-based program that teaches participants the basics of design, color theory and quilt making.
African American Quilts from Gee’s Bend
McElmeel, Sharron. (2021, February 12). Gee's Bend Quilts - African American Quilts. McBookwords (Blog). http://bit.ly/AL-geesbend.
This blog post summarizes the history of the Quilts made by the women of Gee’s Bend and shares additional links leading to more information about the tradition that has become known world-wide as the Quilts of Gee’s Bend.
Guatemalan Textiles used in Quilts
Bianchi, Priscilla. (2001-2019). Priscilla Bianchi (Website). http://bit.ly/guatemalaPB
Priscilla Bianchi is a textile artist who uses the fabric she creates. Priscilla's art quilts are so vibrantly colorful and striking. She uses Mayan Guatemalan textiles in her quilting. She also was offering tours as recently as 2020.
Some of her links are in Spanish. If you access her site through Chrome (browser) you can use the translation function to translate the page into English.
Narrative/Art Quilts
Mazloomi, Carolyn L. (n.d.) Carolyn L. Mazloomi: Artist. Writer, Independent Curator. (Website). http://bit.ly/quiltsCM
“As an artist, I strongly believe art has the capacity to touch the spirt, engage, educate, and heal in ways that words alone cannot.” ! Carolyn L. Mazloomi
Mazloomi shares her philosophy and a gallery/exhibitions featuring her art quilts that celebrate and honors many diverse lifestyles and experiences.
Quilts as Cultural Documents
Campbell, Dr. Denise M. (n.d.) Legacies in Cloth: Preserving “A Soft Place to Land.” Black Art in America. http://bit.ly/blackartinamerica
Dr. Campbell discusses the preservation of the legacy of African American quilts with Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Mazloomi also discuss the role of quilts as cultural documents.
Preserving African American Quilts and Their Stories
Hicks, Kyra E. (n.d.) Kyra E. Hicks: Author, Artist, Quilter & African American Quilting Researcher. http://bit.ly/kyraehicks
Kyra E. Hicks is a self-taught, skilled crafter who uses cotton to explore political, religious, family and romantic themes. Her original story quilts document her experiences as a young, black, single woman.” She has had her work featured in various museums in New York and Washington, DC. She hosts two African American quilting blogs (“Black Threads” and “Publish Your Quilts”), and encourages [African American] quilters to document their work. She loves to research the lives of quilters past. She has written books for all ages. She also includes a list of African American quilting guilds and quilters. Kyra is available for speaking, workshops and book signings. The following are topics she can present, or she can tailor a presentation for a guild:
- African American Quilt History – 200 glorious years
- Harriet Powers – 5 Quilt Secrets Revealed
- Searching for Franklin Roosevelt’s Postage Stamp Quilt
- When I Die – Considerations for Your Quilts, Fabric Stash and Stitching Stuff
- Queen Victoria’s Coffee Tree Quilt Gift: The True Story of Martha Ricks
- Liberian Quilt History
- Yes, Black Men Quilt!
- 10 Tips for Successful Self-Publishing for Quilters – Workshop or Presentation
- Telling Stories through Quilts – Workshop
| mini_social_media_tutorial.pdf |
