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Black Quilts - Curriculum Guide Inspired by Black Quilters, Their Quilts, History & Praxis

June 15, 2023
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
The Quilt Index Black Diaspora Quilt HistoryProject (BDQHP) is a National Endowment forthe Humanities funded initiative. The BDQHP isan intentional effort towards preserving andmaking accessible, in the Quilt Index, primaryand secondary sources on African American,African, and African Diasporic quilt historydrawn from geographically-dispersed public andprivate collections. The BDQHP is a two-yearproject running from 2022 through 2024. Thescope of the project will entail Quilt Indexstaff working with a diverse group ofstakeholders to create digital humanitiesresources on African American, African, andAfrican Diaspora quilt history. Resourcesemerging from this project will make known andhonor the cultural legacy of Black quiltersthroughout the diaspora.
For a text only version of the Black Quilts Curriculum Guide, click here. (A word document version will appear in the download folder on your computer).
 

Black Quilts Curriculum Guide: Bibliography

References

Books, Articles, Literature, & Dissertations
Beck Cohen, S. (2023). Quilting in West Africa: Liberian women stitching political, economic, and social networks in the nineteenth century. Arts, 12(3), 97. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/arts12030097
Benberry, C. (1992). Always there: The African-American presence in America. Kentucky Quilt Project.
Brown, A. M. (2016). War and redemption in the cloth: Quilting the Black freedom struggle, 1960-present (Publication No. 10244301) [Doctoral dissertation, Middle Tennessee State University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/war-redemption-cloth-quilting-black-freedom/docview/1899739929/se-2
Butler, A. (2019). Quiltmaking among African-American women as a pedagogy of care, empowerment, and sisterhood. Gender and Education, 31(5), 590-603, DOI: 10.1080/09540253.2019.1594708
Corley, C. (2021, August 15). Black lives are celebrated in Bisa Butler's extraordinary, technicolor quilts. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/08/15/1025950962/black-lives-are-celebrated-in-bisa-butlers-extraordinary-technicolor-quilts
Freeman, R. L. (1996). A communion of the spirits: African-American quilters, preservers, and their stories. Rutledge Hill Press.
Fry, G.-M. (1990). Stitched from the soul: Slave quilts from the Ante-bellum South. Dutton Studio Books.
Hicks, K. E. (2003). Black threads: an African American quilting sourcebook. McFarland & Co.
Hood, Y. (2001). The culture of resistance: African American art quilts and self-defining. Uncoverings, 22, 141-170. Retrieved from https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=publications&kid=35-90-257
Little, C. (2022, November 23). For generations, African American women have used quilting as a powerful tool of survival, resistance, and artistic expression. ARTnews. https://www.artnews.com/list/art-news/artists/contemporary-textile-quilting-artists-to-know-1234647693/
Mazloomi, C. (1998). Spirits of the cloth: Contemporary African-American quilts. Clarkson Potter Publishers.
Plummer, S. (2022). Diasporic threads: Black women, fibre & textiles. Common Threads Press.
Smith, R. (2020, June 29). The radical quilting of Rosie Lee Tompkins. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/26/arts/design/rosie-lee-tompkins-quilts.html
The Great Lakes African American Quilters' Network. (2017). Everlasting threads: Honoring heritage and history. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Walker, A. (1973). Everyday use. Harper’s Magazine. https://harpers.org/archive/1973/04/everyday-use/

Blogs
Lyles Shaw, C. (n.d.). Blog. Carole Lyles Shaw. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://carolelylesshaw.com/blog/
Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild. (n.d.). Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild. Sankofa Stitchers. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://sankofastitchers.blogspot.com

Exhibitions
African American quilters of the Gulf Coast [Exhibition]. (2022). Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TX, United States. https://visitportarthurtx.com/blog/african-american-quilters-of-the-gulf-coast/
Conscience of the human spirit: The life of Nelson Mandela [Traveling Exhibition]. (2014). https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=exhibits&kid=50-147-1
Fabric of a nation: American quilt stories [Exhibition]. (2021-2022). Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, MA, United States. https://www.mfa.org/exhibition/fabric-of-a-nation
Stitched stories: An exhibition of NJ African American quilters [Exhibition]. (2022). Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City, NJ, United States. https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Stitched-Stories--an-Exhibition-of-NJ-Af/43549BB6D1AC5254
Stitching the Transatlantic: Liberian quilts from the John Singler collection [Exhibition]. (2019). International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States. https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/exhibition/stitching-transatlantic-liberian-quilts-john-singler-collection
Soulful stitching: Patchwork quilts by Africans (Siddis) in India [Traveling Exhibition]. (2010). https://www.henrydrewal.com/exhibit_stitching_history.html
Uncovering Black history: Quilts from the collection of Carolyn Mazloomi [Exhibition]. (2022-2023). International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States. https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/exhibition/uncovering-black-history-quilts-collection-carolyn-mazloomi

Directories
Black Women Stitch. (.n.d.). Directory. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://blackwomenstitch.org/directory
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library. (.n.d.). Binding Us Together: Quilts of the African Diaspora: Home. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://libguides.nypl.org/quilts_african_diaspora

Museums & Collections
American Folk Art Museum. (.n.d.). Textiles. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from http://collection.folkartmuseum.org/collections/594/textiles/objects
Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution. (.n.d.). African American quilts. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://anacostia.si.edu/collection/spotlight/african-american-quilts
Arkansas Heritage, Old State House Museum. (.n.d.). Arkansas African American history collection. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://collections.oldstatehouse.com/collections/17460/arkansas-africanamerican-history-collection/objects
Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive. (.n.d.). BAMPFA receives historic bequest of nearly three thousand quilts by African American artists. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://bampfa.org/news/bampfa-receives-historic-bequest-nearly-three-thousand-quilts-african-american-artists
International Quilt Museum. (n.d.). International quilt museum. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/
International Quilt Museum. (n.d.). African American collection. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/collection/african-american
Michigan State University Libraries. (.n.d.). Gladys-Marie Fry papers: Finding Aid. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://findingaids.lib.msu.edu/repositories/4/resources/6345
Michigan State University Libraries. (.n.d.). Gladys-Marie Fry papers: Home. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/Gladys-MarieFry
Michigan State University Museum. (n.d.). Unpacking collections: The legacy of Cuesta Benberry, an African American quilt scholar. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://museum.msu.edu/?exhibition=unpacking-collections-the-legacy-of-cuesta-benberry-an-african-american-quilt-scholar
Montgomery Museum of Fine Art. (.n.d.). Textiles. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://collection.mmfa.org/objects-1/tiny_thumbnails?records=500&query=Portfolios%20%3D%20%22985%22&sort=0
National Quilt Museum. (n.d.). National quilt museum. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://quiltmuseum.org/
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library. (.n.d.). Binding Us Together: Quilts of the African Diaspora: Home. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://libguides.nypl.org/quilts_african_diaspora/home
The Quilt Index. (n.d.). Quilt index. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://quiltindex.org/

Podcasts
Irby, T. (Host). (2022, October 10). Episode 5: Telling Black Stories with Care, with Dr. Aleia Brown [Audio podcast episode]. In Legacy of our African American lives. https://legacy-of-our-african-a.captivate.fm/episode/telling-black-stories-with-care-w-aleia-brown
Woolfork, L. (Host). (2019-present). The Stitch Please Podcast [Audio podcast]. https://blackwomenstitch.org/topic/podcast

Quilts
Atkins, M. (c1980). Nine square [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-78
Benberry, C., Ammen, A., Mueller, L., and the Kinloch Community Center Ladies. (1979). Afro-American women and quilts [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5240
Benberry, M. (c1930). W.P.A. tulip [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5242
Brown Green. M. (2003). ...And a time to dance [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-6782
Butler, B. (2014). Free at last [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=50-145-47
Cummings, M. A. (1990). African jazz series #10 quilt [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=8-5-428
Dukes, J. (2009). Emancipation to equality: A long journey continues [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-6781
Estava. D. (2010). Bel peyizan lakay (beautiful peasant household) [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5654
Hayes, E. (1988). Flower basket [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-852
Johnson, L. (1992). Zinnia [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-399
Kimber, C. (2015). The one for Eric G; Log cabin [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-6681
Mazloomi, C. (1994). Tryin' to grab a piece of the pie [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=8-5-484
Mazloomi, C. (1996). Black family series #1: The family of 3. [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5273
Mustapha. R. A. (1998). African colors [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-891
Nkosi, F. (2004). Portraits of South African Black women of the Anti-Apartheid Struggle [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-3725
Pettway, C. (2009). Housetop [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5565
Phillips, S. R. (1983). Crow foot in the mud [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-6164
Ringgold, F. (1987). Kiss 1, kiss 2; from the love letter series [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5260
Todd Green, D. & Todd, I. (1989). Todd family history quilt [Quilt]. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI, United States. https://quiltindex.org//view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-35

Quilt Studios & Conferences
Chashama. (.n.d.). Urban threads salon 1791. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://chashama.org/event/urban-threads/
Cultured Expressions. (.n.d.). Cultured expressions: Home. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.culturedexpressions.com/
Stitch by Stitch. (.n.d.). Stitch x stitch. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.stitchingabolition.com/
Modern Quilt Guild. (.n.d.). QuiltCon. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://quiltcon.com/

Quilt Organizations & Initiatives
Harlem Needle Arts. (.n.d.). Harlem needle arts. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://harlemneedlearts.org/
Museum of Food and Drink. (.n.d.). The Legacy Quilt. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.mofad.org/the-legacy-quilt
National Aids Memorial. (.n.d.). About the quilt. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt
Richardson, A. (.n.d.). African American quilt documentation study group. Sew Blessed. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from www.SewBlessed.Online
Runaway Quilt Project: Digital Humanities Exploration of Quilting During Slavery. (.n.d.). Runaway Quilt Project. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from http://runawayquiltproject.org/
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. (.n.d.). African American craft initiative. Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://folklife.si.edu/african-american-craft?fbclid=IwAR0GnAQKiGoEH3iFkQYJjbLvm3gZNGk4DNGg7IhJ76A3rcR7FByKi5vc2kU#publications

Videos
American Folk Art Museum. (2020, August 11). Virtual insights: Bisa Butler in conversation with Dr. Myrah Brown Green [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOso0gbBP8I&ab_channel=AmericanFolkArtMuseum
Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive. (2021, April 6). African American quilt guild of Oakland: Why I quilt [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ0vVNR5BbA&t=3s&ab_channel=BerkeleyArtMuseum%26PacificFilmArchive
Carole Lyles Shaw. (2020, November 29). African American modern quilt guilds [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYV3ANFERVc&t=931s&ab_channel=CaroleLylesShaw
International Quilt Museum. (2022, November 16). Power, purpose, + perseverance: Visualizing Black history in quilts by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXLhP7LiMg&ab_channel=InternationalQuiltMuseum
Scholars and Publics. (2019, June 4). Celebrating 20 years of quilting: The story of Durham's African American Quilt Circle (AAQC) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7vS_eo32Hs&t=2364s&ab_channel=ScholarsandPublics
Toledo Museum of Art. (2021, January 13). Bisa Butler and Carolyn Mazloomi chat [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qaLzjCI8EY&ab_channel=ToledoMuseumofArt

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