Gee's Bend Quilts - African American Quilts

Gee's Bend Quilts - African American Quilts: A Tradition

In a little Alabama, community (population 275 according to the 2010 census) the African Americans have become noted for their unique and colorful quilts.  The town is officially, Boykin, but colloquially known as Gee's Bend.  There is one road into this community that sits directly across the river from Camdem, and southeast of Selma, Alabama.  Surrounded on three sides by the bridgeless Alabama River, Gee's Bend remains isolated.  The community of Boykin at one time had at least 700 inhabitants.  The horseshoe area was named Gee's Bend after Joseph Gee who had arrived in the area, from North Carolina, in 1816 where he established a cotton plantation using the labor of 17 enslaved African Americans.

The residents traditions was tied to the cotton industry -- and colorful, brightly geometrically designed quilts emerged.  Interest in the quilts of Gee's Bend seemed to grow.  Once discovered, the quilts were south for exhibits in prestigious museums across the United States.  In Gee's Bend they have their own showcase, the Gee's Bend Quilting Collective.  The quilters recycle feed sacks, fabric remnants, recycled work clothes, and create artful quilts born of innovation and creativity.

The residents traditions was tied to the cotton industry -- and colorful, brightly geometrically designed quilts emerged.  Interest in the quilts of Gee's Bend seemed to grow.  Once discovered, the quilts were south for exhibits in prestigious museums across the United States.  In Gee's Bend they have their own showcase, the Gee's Bend Quilting Collective.  The quilters recycle feed sacks, fabric remnants, recycled work clothes, and create artful quilts born of innovation and creativity.

Now the Gee's Bend Quilters have an Internet presence.  At least nine quilters have a site where each offers hand sewn quilts (prices range from $4500 to $15,000+).  With the help of a non-profit, NEST, the Gee's Bend Quilters are able to offer their traditionally created quilts to those who wish to own one of their creations.  https://www.buildanest.org/geesbend/

Share this history of Gee's Bend Quilts, study the patterns of the quilts shown online, and compare to other traditional quilts made in other cultures/communities.

Read these two books about the Gee's Bend Quilters.

Rubin, Susan Goldman.  (2017) The Quilts of Gee's Bend.  Henry N. Abrams.

This photo picture book follows the journey of the community's quilt tradition from 1845, when Mark Pettway brought his family to Gee's Bend to the present when some of his African American descendants continue the tradition of taking scraps, flour sacs and other fabrics and making them into quilts both practical and beautiful.  Rubin's book combines history with the beauty of a decades old artistry.

Irby, Tanular A. (2020). Pearl and Her Bee's Band Quilt.  Illustrated by India Sheana.  Learning Advantage Network Diversified.  During a play date three young girls travel back to grandma's house in Gee's Bend, Alabama, and learn about the history of the beautiful quilts made by Pearl's grandmother.  Pearl dreams of making her own quilt.  The author of this book is the granddaughter of Gee's Bend quilters, Pearlie Kennedy Pettway and Jensie Lee Irby.

McKissack, Patricia.  (2016). Stitchin' and Pulliin": A Gee's Bend Quilt.  Illustrated by Dozbi A. Cabreera.  Turtlebooks, 2016.  Originally published by Random House in 2008.  A collection of poems about Gee's Bend, the quilt making community.

Check out Gee's Bend website sharing their quilts and their community.  https://www.buildanest.org/geesbend/

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Cite this blog post:
McElmeel, Sharron. (2021, February 12). Gee's Bend Quilts - African American Quilts.  McBookwords (Blog). http://bit.ly/AL-geesbend.