Posted by ovbrantley on February 3, 2010
Underground Railroad, by Charlotte Lindsey. Photo by India Brantley.
We kick off Black History Month with a quilt that is simply called Underground Railroad. It was featured in the January 31, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter, and it was created by Charlotte Lindsey.
Many people believe that quilts were used to guide slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. A book called Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline Tobin attempts to document that history.
The blocks in this quilt are from a book by Eleanor Burns who based these blocks on ideas from Tobin’s book. Quilters call these blocks the Underground Railroad blocks.
Charlotte Lindsey
Charlotte challenged herself by making each block in this quilt only six inches square! The entire quilt measures 30 x 44 inches when the sashing and the border is included.
This quilt was part of the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show. It is part of Charlotte’s permanent collection of heirloom quilts.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Black history month, Brown Sugar Stitchers, Charlotte Lindsey, Eleanor Burns, Hidden in Plain View, India Brantley, Jacqueline Tobin, Sampler quilt, Underground Railroad | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 31, 2010
Constructions #91 by Nancy Crow
If you love art quilts, you will not want to miss the Nancy Crow exhibit at the Fuller Craft Museum. The exhibit runs January 31 – May 9, 2010. The museum is located at 455 Oak Street, Brockton, Massachusetts 02301.
Visit www.fullercraft.org for more info.
Posted in Quilt Exhibits | Tagged: art quilt, Fuller Craft, Nancy Crow | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 27, 2010
My Point of View by Nina Moore
The featured quilt of the week in the January 24, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter is called My Point of View. It was created by Nina Moore.
Each year the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild, the Intown Quilt Guild and the Phoenix Quilt Guild, all guilds in the Atlanta area, issue a challenge, then meet together in January to view the results of the challenge. This year the Sewjourners Quilt Guild participated, making it a four-guild challenge. The challenge this year was to make an original quilt reflecting the seasons. My Point of View won the challenge.
Nina Moore
Nina, who has a lake outside her back door, attempted to capture the view from her home as the seasons change. Each of the four blocks in the quilt represents one of the seasons. The changes are evident most notably by the leaves on the trees.
Congratulations to Nina and all of the quilters who participated in the four-guild challenge!
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, art quilter, Brown Sugar Stitchers, challenge quilt, Intown Quilters, My Point of View, Nina Moore, Phoenix Quilt Guild, Sewjourners Quilt Guild, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 24, 2010
Quilt by Myrah Brown Green
Quilt Artist Myrah Brown Green is completing a book entitled The Presence of African Symbols in North American Quilts. Before finishing the project, she is interviewing quiltmakers who use African symbolism in their quilts.
According to Myrah, “the symbols can be anything from masks, fabrics and cowrie shells to narrative African panels, piecing techniques etc., all indigenous to Africa. Your use of the African symbols can come from a personal connection to them; no matter what your lineage. Your interest in the African symbol may also be strictly because you like the way that they look.”
If interested in participating, please email Myrah at mquilt56@aol.com, and she will email you the interview questions. The answers are due back to her by February 12th. Meanwhile, take a look at her web site.
Posted in Call For Entries | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, African symbols, art quilter, fiber art, Myra Brown Green | 2 Comments »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 23, 2010
Martin's Dream, 74 x 87 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2002.
Now is a great time to enroll in a block of the month program. Most quilt stores and some online sites sponsor them. In a block of the month program, you complete a block each month. At the end of the year, you assemble the blocks into a quilt. For beginning quilters, this is a great way to build your skills because working on one block is not as overwhelming as trying to finish an entire quilt.
O.V. Brantley
Martin’s Dream by O.V. Brantley was the result of a block of the month program sponsored by the Quilts and Fixins Quilt Shop in Jonesboro, GA. She added her own border of children holding hands to make this quilt uniquely hers.
Posted in Quilt School | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Block of the month, Martin's Dream, O.V. Brantley, Quilts and Fixins | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 21, 2010
Obama Honored by Mercidene Heyward
On the weekend when we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the January 17, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter featured a quilt that honors a person who is building on Martin’s dream. The quilt is called Obama Honored, and it honors our 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. It was made by Mercidene Heyward.
Obama Honored is a traditional Americana quilt. The red and white stripes that intersect with the blue four-patch blocks invoke images of the flag.The twelve blocks in the quilt along with the borders combine to create a quilt that measures 62 x 72 inches.
Mercidene Heyward
The borders of the quilt carry out the patriotic theme with stars in the outer border and a commemorative statement that says “Barack Obama, United States 44th President.”
Obama Honored was pieced and quilted by Mercidene. It was recently a part of the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Americana quilt, Brown Sugar Stitchers, fiber art, Mercidene Heyward, Obama Honored, Obama quilt, patriotic quilt, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 13, 2010
Still Life by Nancy Franklin
Atlanta, along with much of the country, has been under a deep freeze this week. When it snows in Atlanta, the city stops, and everyone hibernates until it all goes away. For that reason, the name of the featured quilt in the January 10, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter seemed particularly compelling. The featured quilt was called Still Life. It was created by Nancy Franklin.
Nancy describes this quilt as “a study in using raw-edge appliqué to portray a realistic object.” Raw edge appliqué is a technique where the quilter sews fabric on the top of a background without regard to hemming or smoothing out the edges as is done in traditional needle turn appliqué.
Nancy created Still Life using multi-colored fabric on a white pieced background. The piece measures 10 x 11 inches. It was pieced, appliqued and quilted by Nancy.
Still Life was part of the Brown Sugar Stitchers quilt show last August and was offered for sale for $50.00 at that time.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Brown Sugar Stitchers, Nancy Franklin, raw edge applique, Start Your Week with a Quilt, Still Life | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 13, 2010
The entry deadline for the Bulloch Hall Quilt Show is January 31, 2010. Visit www.bullochhallquiltguild.com to download the entry form. Bulloch Hall is located in Roswell, GA.
The theme of this year’s show is “Tomorrow’s Classics Today”. The show will run from March 13 – 21, 2010. Show hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $8 for Adults, and $6 for Children 6-12.
Posted in Call For Entries | Tagged: Bulloch Hall, Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild, Call For Entries | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 6, 2010
Adorned by Elaine Parker, 2009. Photo by India Brantley
The featured quilt in the January 3, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt is called Adorned, and it was created by Elaine Parker.
Elaine is known for her exquisite bead work, and this quilt is no exception. The piece which measures 12 x 12 inches starts with an appliqued lady on an orange background. It was quilted and then adorned with hundreds of beads. The beads are all sewn by hand.
Elaine Parker
Clearly this is a lady who is comfortable with who she is. She is not shy about expresses her individuality and feels no qualms about standing out in a crowd.
She also appears to be deep in thought. I wonder what such a regal woman thinks about.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Adorned, African American quilter, Elaine Parker, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on January 1, 2010
Clara's Big Red Squares by Clara Ford, circa 1960.
The Clara Ford Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American quilting. Our goal this year is to celebrate each and every quilt made by an African American that is in a quilt show or exhibit, and to celebrate every African American quilt that is sold.
We all want to be valued, and African American quilts are no exception. Our quilts have great value! What I see at my guild meeting is at least as beautiful as what I see at national shows, but for some reason, those bold and beautiful quilts don’t make it into the shows. We, as African Americans, seem to think our quilts are not worthy.
Our success at the Clara Ford Foundation depends on you. If you have a quilt in a show, let us know. If you sell a quilt, let us know. We will do our part by publishing as many Call For Entries as we can find, and by continuing to showcase as many of your beautiful quilts as we can. You can also look forward to another day of quilt appraising at Hammonds House Museum and a continuation of the Clara Ford Quilt Lecture series.
Happy New Year!
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Clara Ford, Clara Ford Quilt Lecture series, Clara's Big Red Squares, Hammonds House Museum, quilt appraisal | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 31, 2009
We at the Clara Ford Foundation wish you a prosperous, creative and joyous quilting year.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: New Year | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 29, 2009
Christmas Presents Tree by Vanessa Brown
This week we are truly hoping you found that special gift under your Christmas tree, and that you were able to give someone else that special gift.
The featured quilt of the week in the December 27, 2009, edition of the Clara Ford Foundation Start Your Week With a Quilt© newsletter was Christmas Presents Tree. It was created by Vanessa Brown.
Vanessa Brown
Vanessa created this very special Christmas tree by stacking various Christmas fabrics to form the shape of a tree. The tree is showcased against a cream background and bordered by beautiful poinsettia fabric.
Christmas Presents Tree measures 24 x 24 inches. It was part of the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show.
The traditional festive colors of red, green and white truly make this quilt a holiday delight.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, art quilter, Brown Sugar Stitchers, Christamas quilt, Christmas Presents Tree, fiber art, Start Your Week with a Quilt, Vanessa Brown | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 27, 2009
Christmas at Home by Janice Daniel. Photo by India Brantley.
Janice Daniel created a free hand design that resulted in Christmas at Home. The quilt is a pieced and appliqued Christmas tree. Janice included satin stitching and embellishments to add pazazz to this 33 x 36 inch quilt.
Christmas at Home was featured in the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show. It is currently on display at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multi-Purpose Center, 515 John Wesley Dobbs, Atlanta as part of the Clara Ford Foundation Christmas Tour of Quilts.
Janice Daniel
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, art quilter, Christmas at Home, Christmas quilt, Christmas Tour of Quilts, fiber art, Helene S. Mills Senior Multi-Purpose Center, Janice Daniel, quilt, wallhanging | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 23, 2009
Gifts of the Christmas Spirit by Rosalind Newell
We are all hoping to find that special gift under the Christmas tree, but the featured quilt in the December 20, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. Gifts of the Christmas Spirit was created by Rosalind Newell.
Rosalind Newell
This quilt, which measures 43 x 33 inches, consists of nine blocks of beautifully wrapped packages. On each gift, Rosalind has embroidered a word that reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. Words on the packages include, love, joy, faithfulness and peace. The sashing between the gifts creates a secondary star pattern.
This would be a great quilt to cuddle up under if you do not receive that longed for gift under the tree. Always remember the reason for the season.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Christmas quilt, Embroidered quilt, fiber art, Gifts of the Christmas Spirit, Rosalind Newell, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 20, 2009
Woven Christmas Ribbons by Nina Moore
I am sure you are putting the finishing touches on your Christmas gifts. Remember, presentation is everything.
Nina Moore
Shown here is Nina Moore’s version of Woven Christmas Ribbons. It is currently on display at the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Center, 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA as part of the Clara Ford Foundation Christmas Tour of Quilts.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Christmas quilt, Christmas Ribbons, Christmas Tour of Quilts, fiber art, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-purpose Facility, Nina Moore | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 20, 2009
The Legacy Quilt-- Women of Valor, 1850-1950, from the collection of the Bremen Museum.
The Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild received an unexpected treat at their holiday luncheon. Pat Pugrant from the Bremen Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum was on hand to share The Legacy Quilt — Women of Valor 1850-1950. This quilt depicts scenes from the lives of eight extraordinary Jewish women.
If you would like to bring the quilt to your organization, contact sberman@thebreman.org.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: applique quilt, Bremen Museum, Brown Sugar Stitchers, Pat Pugrant, quilt, The Legacy Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 18, 2009
Prairie Point Pine Christmas Tree by Aleathia Chisolm
There are all kinds of beautiful Christmas trees. Here is a special one created by Aleathia Chisolm. The “branches” are prairie points.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: African American quilter, Aleathia Chisolm, Chrstmas quilt, Prairie Point Pine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on December 15, 2009
Christmas Joy, by Elisa Woods, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Christmas Joy was the featured quilt of the week in the December 13, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter. It was created by Elisa Woods. This quilt reminds us of the appropriate Christmas spirit by combining Christmas trees with Bible verses.
The quilt consists of four Christmas tree blocks on white or cream backgrounds accented by red sashing. Each tree is made unique by the choice of different fabrics and embellishments.
Elisa Woods
Quotes from the Book of Psalms are pieced into the quilt. The quotes draw you in and force you to examine the quilt closer.
Besides being a pretty quilt, I am sure this quilt brings great comfort to those who have lost loved ones during the year. It is a beautiful reminder to find joy in the midst of sorrow.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Christmas Joy, Christmas quilt, Christmas tree quilt, Elisa Woods, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
