This day was all about visiting one of the most important quilter sites in America. It is legendary for it's quilting community and noteworthy for race and economic discrimination and voting rights around 1966.
Susan had this place very high on her must see list. So, from Selma we headed to a rather remote area across the Alabama river. We had called ahead to be sure to arrive at a time when we could see some quilts and even some of the artists; both were achieved. It is safe to say this was quite different than a visit to a local Hobby Lobby or craft fair. This was absolutely a journey into another time.
First we visited the building that housed the quilts. Sort of a retail outlet and meeting place. There we met Mary Anne Pettway. She suggested we go next door to the community nutrition center. Meals are served there and Monday-Thursday from 8:30-1:30 some of the artists are working together on a quilt. Susan had met a couple of the women at their 2007 book signing at the Sisters, Oregon quilting exhibition but this was going to be special. We were welcomed into this very special world with open arms. The room was a small but bright space that shares a kitchen, eating area and a quilt frame.
There were three quilters hard at work with a few other folks finishing up their lunch. After some initial uncertainty about how to interact, Susan was invited to pull up a chair next to Lucy Mingo. The quilter-speak was on with a very liberal dose of the rural southern Alabama accent. There was some serious talk about technique and info shared along with a lot of laughter. As Susan sat in Quilter Heaven between two famous superstars, she got to hear about families, history and bits of what can only be called gossip.
Note: Rodney took on the role of white male fly on the wall. He was dying a slow death.... no photography allowed. So, I just put on my artist eyes and ears and tried to take in all in from my perch.
There was also the added bonus of sharing the afternoon with Annie Mae (I think). She had come to the center for lunch. Her 90+ years and almost complete blindness did not keep her from doing a sweet little shuffling dance as she sang some gospel - "There's someone knockin' on my door.....".
The quilters were working hard. We were there for over an hour and it seemed like we had truly stepped back in time. Susan said it felt very natural and that she would have liked to have stayed longer to get know them better. She is inspired to do some more hand-quilting. Being in the presence of such women was a privilege and not soon forgotten. It was a very unique experience for me.
As we stepped outside we met Randall. He told us a bit of his story and thanked us for coming. There seemed to be one truth -- everyone enjoyed having some new people to talk to...... all a wonderful "stitch in time."
Love and flashing needles,
Rodney and Susan
ps. Note: Due to the lack of photography freedom, there are only a few pics of quilts. Around town there are "signs" outside of the homes of individual quilters. These paintings represent an actual quilt design created by the quilter within the home. I also included a couple of photos that show some of the women we had the good fortune to meet.
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