Quilting is much more than just a needle and thread. It is an integral part of American history, with individual quilts serving as historical documents that tell a story of the past. Quilting has played a significant role in the history of Black American folk art and American folk art as a whole. Assistant Professor Tracy L. Vaughn-Manley, Betty Joy Bonds of Chicago, and Melissa Blount of Evanston, known as “sister quilters,” have used quilting as a way to represent protection, warmth, creativity, and community within the Black American community.
The Dittmar Gallery showcased a collection of quilts by Vaughn-Manley, Bonds, and Blount, in an exhibition titled “Radiant Compositions II,” early this year. These quilts stand out due to the non-traditional materials and improvised methods used in their creation.
Historically, the craft of quilting was mainly a domestic task performed by women. It served as a way to provide warmth for families and was a reflection of the household’s economy, with repurposed fabrics pieced together to create a quilt. Quilting was also a social activity that brought women together, allowing them to exchange ideas and preserve the legacy of their family, community, and culture.
Before the Civil War, quilting was a communal act for American women, especially Black American women. Born out of necessity, enslaved women created quilts to supplement their sparse bedding. These quilts served as a creative outlet for the women to assert their agency, identity, and legacy during a time when reading and writing were illegal for them.
“To look at a quilt today is to behold history. Individual quilts have long been sought out as relics of a family’s life over time,” said Vaughn-Manley.
Looking at a quilt today is to look at a piece of history, with a story to tell about the past. Quilting is a true testament to the ingenuity and creativity of women who have been making their mark on America’s history one stitch at a time.
Tracy L. Vaughn-Manley is an assistant professor in the department of African American Studies, the Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction, and director of undergraduate studies in the department of African American studies.
Learn more in Northwestern Now’s article “From rags to richness: Piecing the patchwork of American culture.”