Today we’re finishing up the Stronger Together Quilt Along! It’s part of our first ever quilt and stitch along for Black History Month, to bring our creative community together to support a worthy cause and to highlight the achievements and contributions of several African American women in the fiber arts. This week, we sewed the outer border of the quilt.
Through February 28, 2021, 100% of the proceeds from the sales of Stronger Together Quilt Patterns and Stronger Together Cross Stitch Patterns will go to United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The mission of UNCF is to increase the total number of African American college students and helping them persist to graduation. They do this through awarding scholarships, providing financial support to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and advocating for the importance of minority education and community engagement.
About the Quilt
We started with the inspiration of Harriet Tubman for her courage, persistence, strength, endurance and wisdom. Tubman was guided by her moral compass to do the right thing and guided physically by the North Star that led her and the slaves she rescued to freedom multiple times. No matter the obstacles, risks and handicaps, she persevered.
Our quilt is made in Speckled by Rashida Coleman-Hale of Ruby Star Society. We have a limited supply of quilt kits (Update: More quilt kits will be available in late February. This is unfortunate but not uncommon given the current disruptions in worldwide shipments).
We sewed a second quilt with Blossom by Christopher Thompson for Riley Blake Designs.
The fabrics used are:
- Background – Bleached Denim
- Half Square Triangles – Sweet Mint
- Large Stars & Binding – Denim
- Small Stars & Gingham Center – Peaches n Cream
- Gingham Center – Lipstick
- Setting Triangles – Aqua
Gwendolyn Ann Magee
The fourth part of our quilt pattern features artist and quiltmaker Gwen Magee (1943-2011). Her work was often inspired by current events, centered on issues of discrimination, racial injustice, social inequalities and the condition of African Americans. One of Magee’s notable series is a collection of 12 quilts inspired by the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson that portrays the brutality and injustices of slavery and racism. Magee’s work has been exhibited internationally and is found in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Art. Learn more about Gwen Magee.
Full of the Hope, 2002. © Gwendolyn A. Magee. Pieced, quilted, stitched, and appliquéd fabrics, with cording. 42″x40″. Collection of the Gwendolyn Ann Magee Estate. Photograph by Dave Dawson Photography.
Over a Way that with Tears Has Been Watered, 2003. © Gwendolyn A. Magee. Pieced, quilted, stitched, and appliquéd fabrics, with cording. 52″x70″. Collection of the Gwendolyn Ann Magee Estate. Photography © 2014 Dave Dawson Photography.
We invited some friends to stitch along with us and they’re sharing their progress along the way! You can follow them on social media for inspiration and tips along the way!
Thank you for Joining Us!
We’ve enjoyed sewing along with you and recognizing Black History Month! We love seeing your progress on Instagram! If you’re sewing along please share with #FQSStrongerTogether. If you’re making the cross stitch design, check out the stitch along page! We’ll be back next week to share with you the results of this fundraiser!
Stay connected to FQS!
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