Quilters in the Mississippi Delta fear future generations will turn their backs on a traditional …

Quilting in the Mississippi Delta is a centuries-old tradition. But with its slow, methodical pace, some quilters fear that the art will die off as future generations turn their backs on the craft.
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[@maureenkearns5376]

As a quilter I just truly appreciate the works of these women. I've always loved the quilts of Gees Bend, the history of those quilts and the women who made them, the story behind the quilts and the women. And these women are carrying on that tradition, and that is so important to a culture. There are very few young people where I live here in central Pennsylvania who quilt, although the Amish young girls do quilt, but when I lived in St Louis the modern quilt guild was just loaded with young girls in their twenties and thirties. Yes they were doing modern quilts but they were still quilting beautiful quilts and carrying on a tradition in a different way. I don't have the patience to hand quilt but I also can't anymore because of arthritis, but there's so much to be said for it. The meditative time, the thinking time, the time where your mind is just on what you're doing when you get in the flow and your mind is not on your problems. Much has to be said for hand quilting and I realize that. Bless these ladies for carrying on a beautiful tradition.

[@nancybarrios7866]

You are absolutely right And many fabric designs, panels, colors have changed opening up new possibilities of creating I can hand quilt anymore either due to arthritis

[@Sumogrits]

I am proud that my mother and her mother passed along to me the art of sewing and quilting. To have seen them take different pieces of fabric, a needle and thread and create something warm for me to sleep under was allowing me to see an agape love as a small child. Growing up in small places with more dirt roads than one could imagine, quilting was a lifestyle. It was a different type of work. For some, it was a way of allowing fabric to tell a story of times past while also an expression of a hope or dream for the future for others. My family had to make time to quilt because it was not quite as important as working in the fields, tending to the children and doing house chores. Today, quilting is amongst my biggest passions! It fills my heart with joy to pass on any knowledge available to fellows quilters or seamstress. Count me in! I am all aboard this train ride to keep true quilting alive! Thanks for making awareness and for filming so, so close to my neck of the woods.

[@thekeith-donovanexperience]

This is beautiful. Look at the amazing things we have contributed given the circumstances.

[@nancybarrios7866]

There are more quilters in North America than you would think Many still finish with hand quilting Some do use machines You can go to any state in the US and find quilters The old ones almost always tell an important story of history and their lives at the time

[@vickielane7387]

Love this story. I just finished a quilt for my recent granddaughter. Now my table is cleared but not for long lol have to make a unicorn quilt for new step granddaughter 😃 so I'm on the hunt for a good pattern...but I don't want easy..lol I started quilts way back when. I was inspired when watching Marsh Adams in her cooking show Cooking from Quilt Country. She would put on white gloves and talk about the guest Quilt. Then I stumbled on Alex Anderson show Simply Quilts. Then all the magazines and books. My daughter and then I stumbled on you tube. Another grand daughter shows great interest she's 7. She use to play with my fabric...spread it out everywhere lol and sit on my lap while sewing. Any way it's not all lost. It is expensive and time consuming but satisfying to the soul.

[@ericworiax1277]

Vicky, you are American history, God bless you!

[@lindabearden5647]

I hand quilt all my quilts, but I have never made such beautiful designs as these talented artists! Absolutely Beautiful!!!

[@patdunham8140]

Love this story, hand made quilts are like a hug from who made it

[@LAlbert-bassbaritone]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful bit of the history of my ancestors with us today. It definitely warms my heart ... 🙏🏾♥️

[@melblack1064]

I quilt. I LOVE it. My grandmother taught me to sew when I was young. I love telling stories in my quilts.

[@scottydog6539]

That last one was really a beauty. That quilt should be hanging in display someplace for all to see. Wow.

[@karenkay8928]

It is not a lost art. There are many young, and new elders, starting to quilt. I started to quilt in 2020. I have been a garment and home decor sewest all my life. The beautiful fabrics found in privately owned quilt shops, spurned my interest. The pattern ideas, as well as tutorials on KZbin, get your creative minds moving. I may hand tie, but will never hand quilt. I want to know the time invested will provide a strong life while being used by my grandchildren. Quilters, hand and machine, are a kind and welcoming group.

[@juliemiller9258]

quilting has saved my sanity during this Pandemic, and it is not over yet.

[@scottydog6539]

That last quilt was a beauty and should be hanging someplace for all to see. Wow. The fabrics used of people is great. Quilting should not die. There are groups trying to get younger generations to start by teaching easy quilts.

[@mizninepatch]

I appreciated the story and enjoyed seeing these ladies’ work. But with a single hand quilting FB group having over 22K members, it’s not exactly a lost art.

[@jjk109]

Agreed.

[@josmith8233]

Lost in their particular community. They are speaking specifically about where they live, not the world at large.

[@LVXMagick]

Man quilting is super difficult! It is certainly a highly skilled craft. It's also beautiful and practical. I have a lot more practice to do to be anywhere near as good as these ladies!

[@lorikalmeyer3501]

SOUL MAGICK - quilting really isn’t that difficult. I’ve been quilting for about 20 years and I’m not one to make the more difficult patterns. So trust me, if I can do it you can too. You don’t need to be at their skilled level - just do the best you can do. Enjoy the process - it’s so worth it.

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

It's a beautiful art form. But times change. And that's okay.

[@nadinesmith-jensen7732]

Hopefully traditions can live on, and so will our ancestors story.

[@geralynlima9152]

There are quilt guilds, shows, specialized stores, and KZbin videos from all across America, Gayle. Just spend a little time looking. You’ll be amazed!

[@joyceabbott4584]

Quilting is alive and well and a very large industry. There are traditional quilts, art quilts, modern quilts, etc. During the pandemic there was a large increase in machine sales and it wasn't just about masks. If you have an interest just explore. There is something for everyone. The older quilters may think younger people aren't interested but they are just hiding out in the modern or art groups.

[@inappropriateconversations4413]

I hand quilt and I love it!! Totally relate to the poked up finger tips. Keep up the good work ladies!

[@robertfordham9730]

My wife's mother and grandmother and aunts were all Arkansas quilters. This reminds me of their work. Our wedding gift quilt was a masterpiece in star work. Why don't we have a PBS program with Black women quilters? Only white women have had programs.

[@leahgary1107]

I do love beautiful quilts. 🙂

[@ericworiax1277]

So warm!

[@myjane54]

I think quilting is very alive and well. It may not be all hand quilting but quilting is a big industry.

[@cheryellemley-mcroy6758]

Young people may show no interest now, but as they grow older, it will be a precious part of their memories, and the desire to learn will come. Especially after the kids are grown and they're retired. And patience will come. Quilting taught me patience.

[@brish57]

These quilts are beautiful. I quilt most everyday. I hand quilt and machine quilt. It is very hard to find other, especially younger, quilters.

[@taylormack4271]

I’m from MS and traveled there last year, only to be turned around at the door because I didn’t have a child with me. It was crushing because I had been searching for years for someone to teach me how to create what I laid under at my grandmother’s. I’ve always admired those quilts. I have everything I need to make one, I just don’t know what I’m doing 🤣 Hopefully I’ll find someone soon.

[@thesecretslimmer]

I make quilts and I am entirely self-taught. I have learnt mostly from KZbin, Facebook groups, blogs and books.

[@emerywills5814]

They want to teach the children to retain our arts. Have the youth in your family to sign up for a summer or 2. Then practice and home, and share with family to go. Also, donate to help keep the art float there or in your city.

[@EJsDaughter]

I enjoy making quilts. Gayle: Just try it!

[@emiliegoethals3769]

I love finishing my quilt by hand. It is so relaxing.

[@SammiJarrad]

I love quilting, I use a machine but I still put love into every piece I sew. Just because it’s created with a machine doesn’t mean there isn’t love.

[@josmith3118]

Amen

[@jjk109]

That’s right.

[@colleen7549]

*A stitch in time saves nine.*

[@Sab_MJsMama]

Are you kidding?! I would LOVE to learn to quilt. I don't think my hands would agree though...😬 Sewing machine...? 🤔

[@lorikalmeyer3501]

That’s awesome you want to learn to quilt! Check with your local quilt shops to find one who teaches beginning quilting and you’ll be hooked like me!

[@mom4x1]

There are loads of quilters in the north. I belong to 3 different groups... all ages in it.

[@makeitmakesense2616]

I need a handmade American quilt

[@theresaakin2284]

There are so many quilting forums on social media and elsewhere so many quilt shows. Many are still hand quilting. Young people are quilting more and more. It doesn't matter what size.

[@mom4x1]

Yes my grandmother quilted , I quilt, my daughter a NP quilts, my granddaughter quilts, it is FAR from a lost art. You have to wait your turn from the ladies that own long arm quilters to get to yours.

[@melissaburke5682]

Quilting isn’t going to be a lost art. Not when there are those of us still doing it.

[@joycedollar1198]

It is all about the love. Perfection is not why I make them

[@patriciacarey6324]

Can you donate fabric fabrics? What a wonderful video.

[@abujafours9680]

True quilters are becoming less and quilting endangered

[@nancyjones9238]

Gayle King says she wishes they could. Look for quilt guilds in your area and get started. Oh, there's a lot of men in guilds too. You just have to have the desire to learn.

[@rooseveltriles5689]

How can I order one of these quilts

[@yolandaray6862]

I want to quilt.

[@betbet9596]

Not true. I quilt all the time working on one now.

[@outlandishmccandlish3873]

Doesn't seem like these ladies have a very good opinion of the younger generation. No wonder they can't get them interested in the craft. Maybe if they didn't look down on machine sewing they could get more of the youth involved. It doesn't really seem like they are trying to find a middle ground with the younger generations. I am 48 yrs old and have been machine sewing since I was a teen and just more recently began quilting on my machine and then some small projects by hand. Maybe these ladies should get the younger generation involved by having them help them make a KZbin channel or TikToks of their crafts to get the word out there. Sorry but the morning News is not reaching the younger generation.

[@fredhaywoodjr]

Where can i buy a quilt 😭

[@AnniePA1960]

Etsy!!

[@freedomwalkerpeace3727]

I've been professionally sewing clothes for 25 plus years. Transferring my skills now to quilting has been peaceful. No more being stressed for time. I can be creative. So sad young people are not using their hands to create from scratch to a finished product. Computers are not everything. They will never have the heart and soul of a human being.

[@Chris_Yoo__AsTheYooFlies]

Although the children of that town may not be interested in this art, quilting is a billion dollar industry across America. It is not a dying art. They should do more research. As of December 2023 there are over 1900 quilt guilds in the USA alone, not counting all the other countries. Again . . . research. The global market value for quilts and blankets was $6.3 billion in 2020. The quilt industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2021 and 2026. Approximately 22% of quilters earn their primary income from quilting. Quilters spend an average of $3,363 annually on quilting supplies.

[@murielbarry3766]

This is so true. I can't interest anyone anymore in this craft. Not to make money, but they consider it grandmother craft and they are not interezted.

[@lisaparleecarr1746]

This story is not telling the whole truth. There are many hand and domestic machine quilters. What these women are lacking is the ability to change and grow. I teach quilting and piecing to all ages. Actually quilting has grown more in the past 7 yrs than ever before.

[@aggelikispiliotopoulos7179]

I was a Girl Scout, we should get children involved!

[@22221mm]

Should go for 3000 dollars at least.

[@Ravenknight1945]

I agree with these women. I prefer sewing my quilts by hand, not by machine. To me, machine quilting isn’t any different than buying it from mass market.

[@mom4x1]

I TOTALLY DISAGREE Machine sewn quilts are absolutely nicer , better put together, and more quality, than made in China!!!!

[@marilynnjefferson8525]

Don’t know that one is nicer than another, but I simply love quilts. I love making them by hand or by machine. For older people or newborns, hand made is usually my choice. For older children, I like the sturdiness of machine made. For teen boys, it’s machine all the way. Do whatever you love. What on earth is more forgiving than a quilt?

[@JohnnyPeacenic]

machines cant make quilts they can only make quilted blankets

[@nancybarrios7866]

As a quilter piecing by machine and hand piecing I just don’t agree There is a difference when people actually finish quilting by hand I feel that is mb the most important