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While I Yet Live - The Quilters of Gee's Bend

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The quilters of rural Gee's Bend, Alabama, many of whom are descendants of slaves, learned to quilt from their mothers and grandmothers. They also learned, sitting under the quilting table as small children, valuable life lessons, and the hopes and dreams their families had for them. Their brightly colored quilts speak of love, peace, joy, and the value of hard work. Like their mothers and grandmothers before them, they sing and pray, sharing their life stories, as they work together. Their quilts have been recognized as valuable forms of art and exhibited in museums. Books have been written about them and their quilts. And yet they are most proud when "you can feel the love" that is sewn into every one of these quilted masterpieces.

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Further explore the quilters and quilts of Gee's Bend.

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The quilters are aware that their lifetime is limited and they work to make the most of it. What is it that you most want to do while you yet live?

Reflections (23)

Donna

I am struck by the Faith of these quilters. Probab!y hard loved and get such believe.I was struck by the last sentence and I may be paraphrasing. " We don't own this, we only borrowing it" So true.

Victoria Crawford

So much inspired me as I watched this beautiful video......the love, the sounds of their voices speaking and singing. The beauty of the land and the simplicity of life. Thank you so much for sharing this. My heart is full as I begin my day and I am grateful for the love, creativity and kinship of this community.

Donna

I loved the quilts and the down to earth philosophy. The love and wisdom of her hands! I feel the kindness of my grandmother and aunt inside of me. Thank You~

Pam

Did I hear right? One of the woman saying that her quilt was never returned to her, and someone wanted to sell it, and she didn't receive anything for it? This breaks my heart. So much love, care and attention they all put into these lovely quilts.

D'Jauna

This made me happy and sad at the same time. My great-grandmother had several hand sewn quilts that I did not see the value in until it was too late and they were gone. I love these women and their legacy to our culture. I love their connection to God and to self. They are truly blessings to their community, the art community and to the black community.

Lisa

Beautiful art stitched together with lots of love ðŸ’•

Nancy

I saw the Gees Bend quilts at the Flint Institute of Arts several years ago. I just wanted to touch them to connect with the spirit of these women. I barely put my hand up and a security guard gave me a stern look and shook his head. I immediately snapped out of my gaze and promptly stopped in embarrassment. Hand quilting is a lost tradition that I cherish. Anyone can sew on a machine but hand sewing requires so much more talent, skill and dedication.

tracey

The love, care and lessons that go into each stitch passed down generation to generation is priceless. These quilts are pure ART!!! I have two quilt tops from my grandmother's cedar chest that I would love to finish. These women inspire me.

Roslyn

I love these women and their quilts! I am so happy this video was made
and esteems these women. The video is one big bundle of real love. The love that is deep and full of life. Rich with wisdom and truth to live by. As an artist it the quilts inspiration. I am humbled by their shares. What a contrast to what is shared on the media!! Than you. Thank you.

Betsy Spitler

I saw the Gee Bend Quilts at the Corcoran Museum in DC in the early 2000's. It was a marvelous experience to see these women with little or no formal training create such wonderful and thoughtful quilts. It is a joy to see the artists and know they are continuing their craft and inspiring us with the simple lines, colors and crafting of their sewing. Thank you for highlighting them again.

Victoria Crawford

Thank you for posting this exquisite, moving and heartfelt piece........I love how their creativity, love and faith was channeled into the quilts and how it provided for them in such joyful and yet unexpected ways. I wonder who first discovered the quilters and would love to hear more about each one of them....I start my day grateful to have seen this....thank you!

Renee

I too am a quilter and I think about this legacy passed along.
My grandmothers did not quilt but I discovered this art form as a form of
Spirituality and being centered. Plus I have something at the end as a
Gift to myself

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While I Yet Live - The Quilters of Gee's Bend

Reflections (23)

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