The March Quilts

From left to right: Lillis Taylor, Annie Bryant, and Carol Allen work on the March Quilts.

The March Quilts project is the brain child of Birmingham's Lillis Taylor, who is also co-founder of the Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a Birmingham ewing cooperative dedicated to building community through the teaching of sewing and design skills among members of all ages. Lillis set out to create a community project to honor the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Quilting Bee, which was established in 1966 during the Civil Rights Movement as a way to help craftswomen earn money to support their families. Members of the cooperative form Wilcox County, Alabama were civil rights and women's rights pioneers, and were also instrumental in the revival of American quilting in the
1960s and '70s.

This being the year of the 50th anniversary of the Selma-Montgomery Freedom March, the project evolved  into one honoring the march. Under Lillis Taylor's leadership, Alabama quilters (children, adults, black, white, male, female, experienced, and beginners) created quilt blocks to honor the event and the brave freedom fighters who made the original march.

"In Selma, the BIb & Tucker women walked across the bridge after the sewing session at the church, and as we walked, we thought of the marchers, the movement, and the blood that was shed on the early attempts before federal sanction and protection. We thought about what the marchers must have endured during the five-day, 54-mile walk, and the four-night camp. From the Edmund Pettus Bridge, we looked down at the Alabama River and thought about the course of the river through the land. Sometimes a river meanders, but it is always moving forward. And as it moves downstream, it picks up momentum through confluence and convergence, and pushes ahead as a mighty force."
--Michelle Reynolds.

Selma marchers in 1965

Selma, 50 years later

To learn more about the project and where the quilts will be homed, read Michelle Reynolds' at Made & Remade.

*Quilting Photos by Bob Farley

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On 03/31/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

What a wonderful post, inspiring story of then and now, and pictures that brought tears to my eyes.

Love the quilts, applause for the participants, and may their shining example carry forward the light of peace, justice, equality, and love for all.

Hugs!

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On 03/31/2015, Joanne said ...

Wonderful! The little "VOTE" block made me think of Irene Latham's book, Leaving Gee's Bend.

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On 04/01/2015, Bonnie said ...

Holding the events of that awe-inspiring day in your hands must really bring the reality home. This is terrific!
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For God So Loved the World

No, I have not got around to working on that post with all the great photos, but I will, maybe tomorrow. I have been very busy the past couple of days, pushing myself hard and still not getting everything done.

I just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a Happy Holy Week. May God bless you all.

 

Posted with Blogsy

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On 03/31/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

God's rich blessings on you, too, sweet friend. May your spoons abound just when you need them to.

Happy Holy Week.

Hugs!
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Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

I am having all kinds of difficulties and problems--including computer problems. I've been trying to post a good blog entry for three days now. I think it's the photos that are causing the problem. If so, maybe this will go through.

Bear with me. I will keep trying.

Posted with Blogsy

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On 03/28/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Good luck with fixing this problem with your photos or whatever. Might Jesse be of help as he's young and in the age group where computer stuff seems to come naturally to them?

I appreciate your posting about what's up as I was becoming concerned about you.

Wish I could endow us both with noses that wiggle like Samantha's so what we needed or wanted to do would instantly be done perfectly - as if by magic. Wouldn't that be handy on low spoon days? Wish!

Big hugs!

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On 03/29/2015, Linda Peckford said ...

May I purchase your pattern for "slumber party" ? The snowmenin bed.
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Soggy Sabbath

I braved the rainy weather to visit Leeds Presbyterian Church with my sister Ramey today. It's a very small congregation with a warm and friendly atmosphere. And I enjoyed the young minister's sermon. Pastor Jason looks to be about 15, but he must be a little older. He has a lovely little wife and a handsome baby boy.

After the service, Ramey and I had a nice lunch at Cracker Barrell and discussed spiritual stuff. Now I'm back home with a full heart and full tummy, with my pjs on and dogs on either side. Going to spend this rainy afternoon reading.

 

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On 03/22/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Bless you for gathering the gumption to venture out in the rain to go to church with Ramey. Nice traditional lunch out after church, too, to keep the glow.

PJs and furry pets plus a good book are just the right way to top off the day, replenish your spoon supply, and have a good start to the week.

I've been meaning to say I really like your new (or not so new now) smiling photo on the right side of your blog.

Hugs!

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On 03/26/2015, Homebody said ...

Missed you this week. Hope you are feeling better and are just too busy to report on your activities!

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On 04/01/2015, Ramey Channell said ...

Great picture! I really enjoyed our Presbyterian morning and our Cracker Barrel luncheon!
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Critters

They often keep me awake at night with their games, disagreements, and barking at things on the lawn. They make it impossible to watch an entire tv show without interruption. They won't let me read a book peacefully. I have learned to pet one furbie with one hand and another furbie with the other--at the same time. They don't like me to spend time in the sewing room; it's not easy to pet a furbie while sewing. It has been years since I have eaten a meal at home without having someone stare at me. As soon as I sit down, that's the time one of them decides he/she has to go outside. They make answering the door for the Pizza Dude an adventure. And they're costly. 

But I love these babies.

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On 03/21/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

I hear you, sister! We have just the two cats, mother and son, but they rule the roost, or think they do. We've taught them the words "no", "move" meaning they cannot stay where they are and the phrase "not now" as in you're going to have to wait for whatever. They taught themselves the words "food", "okay", "out", and "in". We love them, too, or at least most of the time.

Rob installed a screened door on my sewing room so I can get ventilation, hear what's going on, and keep the cats out of here. They sit on the other side of the door staring holes in me and if I remain obvilous to them, they speak or claw the screen. Ususally I feel the stare!

I love the screened door as I don't intend to have cats out of reach under, on top of, or behind all the stuff I have in this wee room. If I ever have a larger sewing room, the cats won't be in there either. The screened door is where I draw the line. :)

Happy Spring!

Hugs!

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On 03/25/2015, Dolores Tanner said ...

So very well said!!

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On 04/01/2015, Ramey Channell said ...

Like!
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So Much to Do; So Little Desire To Do It

This almost-finished dog quilt block has been lying beside my sewing machine for a week. I have two more dogs to put together after that one, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll get them done this year.

It isn't the pain. My pain levels are pretty manageable these days, if I don't stay on my feet for long periods. It's the fatigue. I wake up every morning feeling like I've done heavy manual labor all night, and it's that way until I go back to bed at night. Crushing, draining fatigue and weakness.

I started back on my prescription-doses of vitamin D3 to see if that will help. I remember that it did the last time my fatigue got to this level.

Spring has surely sprung here. Birds are singing, trees are blooming, nose is running. But I'm enjoying the warmer days. I even managed to take the dogs for a short walk on Monday. We didn't make it yesterday though. I had to do some grocery shopping, and that was all the effort I could manage--and just barely that.

Anna is downstairs cleaning, and I hope to at least get that one dog block finished while I stay out of her way. And maybe make the hanging sleeve and label for my French Snowballs quilt.

I hope all of you are having a fine spring day.

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On 03/18/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Hello, my sweet friend. So sorry your fatigue has you drained and you know I understand completely. If you scoot over a tad, I'll happily sit on that bench with you.

It's good news that your pain is managable these days.

Please sit, sew a seam or two, and rejoice quietly in that progress. One seam at a time and your last two dogs will be finished before you know it. Shrea, shrea. One at a time. Stitches in hanging sleeves go the same way.

It's spring here but the nights are still in the 30s*F.

Hugs!

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On 03/18/2015, Homebody said ...

The fibro fatigue days - to me they feel like I am wrapped in a large, gray, lead-lined blanket. We even have a saying at my house - "it's a gray blanket day." ANYTHING you get done on a gray blanket day is a victory!

By the way, unless you have a deadline, perhaps you need to take a break on the dogs and work on a few small, silly projects, just for fun! Be good to yourself!

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On 03/20/2015, Pat said ...

Some of my problem was/is sleep apnea. Have you had a sleep study done? I have allergies right now & actually miss the cpap contraption. But it's either not breathe well with it and end up sneezing again or not breathe well without it. It's a strange dilemma.

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On 03/21/2015, Dondi Murdock said ...

I have had fibro for 20 years. The following was what worked for me. Make sure you are sleeping well even if you need a prescription for sleep. For me that was the ticket to sanity. I also exercised and taught school because it was financially imperative. I was so busy with my students and their needs it proved to be a great blessing. They were mostly greatly impoverished so I could see my life was much better than theirs. I got a master's degree and found the course work was very stimulating. I did one class at a time so it took years, but that was okay. Be nice to yourself all the time!

If you don't want to work on the dog quilt, do something else. Learn to knit or crochet. Just think like a turtle. He did win the race. That is what matters. Speed is not essential. Just knowing you will win because you are persistent and you have choices.
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Another Year Older; Still Dancing

I think yesterday was maybe the quietest birthday I've ever experienced. I didn't feel like lifting a finger, much less partying. My energy level has taken a trip to the South Pole and left me just barely able to get about, and that only with intense effort. So I spent the day at home reading birthday wishes on Facebook and responding. I had bookoodles of them.

I maybe feel a little better this morning, not sure. Sometimes I think I do, and sometimes I just want to lie down. But anyway, I had to get the rest of my tax records together for my tax lady, so I had to come upstairs to the computer and decided while I was here I'd post a blog entry so you readers would know I'm not croaked. I''m not.

Did I say that I hate Daylight Savings Time? Well, I do. I think that is part of the problem this week. For some reason, my body and mind just don't take to springing forward. I recently read an article that assured me that is not my imagination. It turns out that daylight savings time is actually very detrimental to us physically and mentally, at least for many of us. I'm one of them.

Might I add that the article also pointed out that there is no longer any logical reason for daylight savings time (if there ever was). It does not save energy (in some studies, it actually increased energy use), and corporate farmers no longer depend on evening sunlight to do their work.

Come on, November!

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On 03/12/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

More happy birthday greetings, my friend. Sorry that you've felt wilted and weary. I'm there with you for the most part and have slept until 10a for two of the four days we've been on DST and that's nearly unheard of for me.

I got a lenthy and pleasant phone call from DS1 so ended up having breakfast after noon. Strange day.

This afternoon I have bestirred myself to try to find an outer border fabric for a one block wall quilt for a friend. That meant finally going thru bags of fabrics from AMIL's sewing room so I could better move around here, smiling at some of the blocks she made and never got to finish, and feeling a bit sad once again at missing her cheerful presence.

Perhaps a good tonic for you would be to caress a bit of lovely fabric? It works for me even when all I do is sit, look at it, and feel the smooth hand good fabric has.

Big hugs!

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On 03/12/2015, Debra said ...

A belated happy birthday to you. I totally agree with you on the whole daylight savings time thing. I hate it, hate it, hate it. We need to get our legislators on board. Feel better.

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On 03/12/2015, sillysally said ...

Oh, a happy belated birthday, Susan! Hopefully your spoon drawer will be replenished and overflowing soon!

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On 03/12/2015, Kathy said ...

Happy belated birthday! I can't tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I can identify with you on so many levels...especially the lack of energy. Keep plugging away. I enjoy the pics of the quilts from your quilting group.

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On 03/14/2015, Deb said ...

Good Morning and Belated Happy Birthday, Susan! I hope this next year will be one of better health and encouragement for you. Whenever I think of you and Blackberry Creek (still LOVE that name!), it is with very fond memories of you getting me started on UFOs. I miss those days. I bet my stack of UFOs misses me, too!

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On 03/14/2015, Dolores Tanner said ...

Oh, Happy, Happy Birthday!!! Hope it was what you wanted!!!! Happy, Hopeful, quiet and lovely!!!

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On 03/25/2015, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...

Does that guy think he is Pan? Only in New York probably!! I am sorry you feel so tired. My days come and go...some are good some are bad. Fatigue is depressing. I really get out when I have good days, and then come home and crash. Hugs
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Tax Prep

Miss Daisy

Sweet little Miss Daisy is spending a few days with us while her parents and her doggie brother Rocky Feller are off on a galavant. I have to say she's the best dog of the three (Daisy, Skipper, and Sophie). She doesn't pester me for treats all day long. She doesn't bark at Taco and Bella. She doesn't run to the window and start barking every time I decide to watch tv. But Sophie and Skipper don't seem to be able to learn good behavior from her--even after all these years of association.

Today is tax preparation day for me, a day I hate almost as much (or maybe more) than Spring Forward Day, which is coming up tomorrow. Even though I have a wonderful lady who actually prepares my returns for me, I have to get all the information together and organized --and that's the part I hate. But it's done now. All I have to do is take it all to Miss Doris next week.

As far as a solution for Spring Forward Day, there isn't one. Not until next fall when they give me back my hour that they take away. I wish someone would explain to me why all this DST hoop-de-do is necessary. 

Now I'm going downstairs and see what I can scare up for a quick brunch. I didn't have breakfast this morning, and my tummy is growling--or is that Sophie wanting me to go downstairs and give her a treat?

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On 03/07/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, I hear you on both the tax bother issues and the Daylight Savings Time bother. Ages ago I was told that DST was for the benefit of the many farmers there were at the time. It gave them more daylight hours to work in the fields before it was supper time.

Daisy is as cute as ever and I'm so glad she's a well behaved little guest!

Hope you found something yummy to eat and that your weather today is warming up as is ours.

Hugs!

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On 03/07/2015, Pesky Patti said ...

Love Miss Daisy....I think one of her ancestors was related to Yoda.....
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Moving

Doris shows off her new creation at the March meeting of our
Piecemakers Quilting Bee.

I got myself up and attended the March meeting of my quilting bee on Monday. I was late because a traffic accident had blocked the road that I normally take to Mary''s, about five miles from me. The accident had also blocked my Plan B route, so I had to make that drive, which normally takes about 10 minutes, by way of Omaha. Well, not Omaha really, but Hwy. 280, which takes almost as much time as going to Omaha.

Anyway, I finally made it, and I'm glad I did. It was a great meeting. After we consumed Mary's delicious repast, we gathered in her big sewing room to work on making some bags/pouches to sell at our quilt show boutique in June. I brought some of the mesh home to make a couple of bags here, and left the meeting early. Didn't want to push it.

I am having a pretty good day today. Not much pain at all. So after this post, I'm going to get a little sewing done. 

I forget what she called this block, but this is what Mary S. is working on.

Here are some of the bags members are making for the boutique.

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On 03/04/2015, sillysally said ...

Hi Susan,

I'm almost positive that block is called "Swoon" by Camille Roskelly. Or at least her quilt pattern by the same name is made up of those blocks.

Mesh is fun to work with! I've made some large grocery bags with it, a class that was taught at my LQS.

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On 03/05/2015, Nancy in Utah said ...

Hi Susan, sorry you had such a run around getting to your Bee, but it sounds like it was well worth the extra driving. Just dropped in to tell you that I thought Mary S.'s quilt was the "Swoon" pattern but I see 'sally' has already mentioned it. It is certainly a beautiful quilt...I love the variety of fabrics that she uses. Also love the bags your group is making. I've never worked with mesh, is it hard to work with? Someone told it can be a be 'uncooperative'. Well, I've been in a Sclero and Fibro flare for over a week now and I'm getting pretty tired of the bed, but oh how happy I am that I have it to retire to when I've been beat down by the monsters in my body. Big but gentle Hugzzzzzz .... Nancy

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On 03/05/2015, Nancy in Utah said ...

I forgot to mention how very much I adore the red, black and white quilt Doris is showing. It is stunning with the contrasts. Thanks for sharing with us. Nancy

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On 03/05/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Yep, the pattern is "Swoon" and I made one block last summer in orange sherbet colors that I call "Dreamcicle". I am unsure if I will make more blocks because they're 16" blocks. On the other hand, maybe ...!

Cheers that you were feeling good enough to get to the guild meeting Monday! I love the red/black/white quilt Doris made and Linda's Swoon blocks are looking good, too. The cute and handy mesh bags are bound to sell well at your guild show.

What sewing did you do?

We have rain today that's expected to turn into 3" to 5" of wintery mix before changing to snow later. Im about to press the binding for Arctic Blast and if I get it sewn on today, perhaps winter will go away. Ya think?

Hope today is a good day for you, too.

Hugs!
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