Stories in the Seams

A sweeping survey of Black quiltmaking in America with stunning archival photographs of quilters and quilting bees, as well as full-page reproductions of both significant historical quilts and bold contemporary creations.This compelling volume gives Black quilting traditions long-overdue attention, highlighting the artistry, innovation, and community solidarity of quilters from the 1700s through today. The deeply researched text of scholar and artist Dr. Sharbreon Plummer explores quilts as an archive of collective and personal memory, delves into methods of Black quiltmaking—both distinctive and endlessly diverse—and demonstrates the power of quilts and quilting as medicine against grief and oppression.This book evokes the craftsmanship and tactile beauty of quilts with stunning archival and full-color photos.Discover the stories of scores of individual creators throughout history, including self-taught seamstresses, community organizers, and archivists of everyday life.Delve deeper into the stories behind world-renowned artists, past and present, like Bisa Butler, Faith Ringgold, and the Quilters of Gee’s Bend.Each profile illuminates the reasons behind the quilts: to honor heritage, express political beliefs, process grief, find peace, or simply create beauty.Stories in the Seams celebrates the act of sewing in solitude or in community, as resistance or as rest. Whether you’re a veteran quilter, a textile arts appreciator, or a beginner exploring the art form, this is an informative, inspiring, and indispensable resource.