Threads of Resistance

When thinking of how to best honor Black History Month, one story kept coming to mind: The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend, a tale of resistance, liberation and self-determination.

Nestled alongside the Alabama River is the small enclave of Gee’s Bend. The rural town has a long history of slavery, racism and economic oppression — but through the power of slow fashion, the community has flourished. Gee’s Bend is home to a community of female artisans who have sewn their way to liberation. Best known as the “Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend”, these women transform discarded textile scraps into breathtaking quilts that have become staples of modern American art.

The quiltmakers, many of whom are descendants of slaves, have honored the tradition of quiltmaking for over 80 years. In the 1900’s, many of the homes throughout Gee’s Bend were without central heat, leading to the emergence of handmade quilts. The women would sew with whatever materials they could find, leading to an abstract patchwork motif that has come to represent the now world-renowned designs.

Over the years, the quilts gained notoriety amongst art dealers, gallery owners and historian alike. Originally without compensation, the women of Gee’s Bend were shocked to find their quilts represented in the press for thousands of dollars. While it seems the quiltmakers were eventually compensated for their world-famous artwork, the mystery remains unsolved.

As a result, Souls Grow Deep — a non profit advocating for the protection, empowerment and celebration of Black artisans — was founded. The non-profit has partnered with Nest and Etsy, streamlining sales from the quiltmakers directly to their new customers. By inviting the women of Gee’s Bend to be in full control of their sales, Etsy, Nest and Souls Grow Deep have created a pipeline to economic freedom.

The quilts of Gee’s Bend, known lovingly as Threads of Resistance, are celebrated for “stitching together a legacy of survival, resistance, and self-determination”. The women of Gee’s Bend are proof that when artisans are empowered with the resources they need, craft can serve as a meaningful tool for economic freedom and independence.