QUILT INDEX RECORD

31-27-208

Who documented this quilt?

South Africa Quilt History Project; Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

South Africa Quilt History Project

South Africa Quilt History Project Number:

CHSLM332

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

When was the form filled out?

2014

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Mandela - One Day

How wide is the quilt?

30"

How long is the quilt?

30"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Predominate colors:

Blue; Green; Lavender; Yellow

Overall condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

May 2014

Describe the quilt's layout:

Nontraditional or art

Subject of the quilt:

Nelson Mandela

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

African Print Cotton. Ric-rac braid

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

Piecing, applique, freehand machine stitching.

Embellishments used:

Cotton thread

How is the binding made?

Separate binding applied

Quilt top made by:

Tolksdorf, Odette

Quilted by:

Tolksdorf, Odette

Where the quilt was made, city:

Durban

Where the quilt was made, province:

Kwa Zulu Natal

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Consceince of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; International Quilt Conference Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2014

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

MacDowell, Marsha; Mazloomi, Carolyn. Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, 2014; page 91.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's name:

Odette Tolksdorf

Quilt owner's city:

Durban

Quilt owner's province:

Kwa Zulu Natal

Quilt owner's country:

South Africa

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

7/6/1954

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

South African

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Artist/Designer

Quiltmaker's city:

Durban

Quiltmaker's province:

Kwa Zulu Natal

Quiltmaker's country:

South Africa

Description of quilt:

Odette Tolksdorf
Mandela—One Day
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Cotton fabrics, rickrack braid; pieced, appliquéd, freehand machine quilted

Mandela was a person whom I had great respect for, a sentiment shared by so many other people around the world. I admired Nelson Mandela not only for his deeds and actions but also for his thoughts, views, and opinions that he left to the world.

When I planned this quilt I was certain that I wanted to incorporate some of his wise words that appealed to me or that inspired me. It was difficult to decide what to choose because there were so many; I decided, however, to use the following quotes: One day I will be the first black president of South Africa” (which he said in 1952 and it happened in 2004) and It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Who photographed this quilt?

Dion Cuyler

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

The copyright belongs to the owner/artist.