Description:
Tucked in a sleepy corner of Alabama is a group of very talented ladies that create the most amazing quilts. These fabric masterpieces are found in art museums around the world. The ladies that create these pieces are the descendants of previous generations that passed on the tradition of quilt making. The first generation of quilters were emancipated slaves that used what they could get their hands on to make these cloth wonders. All these skills have been passed on from mother to daughter in this tight knit community.
In this class we will start by viewing a slide show of some of the beautiful quilts that these gifted ladies have produced. No matter what type of hooker you are, you will be inspired. Along with the slide show there will be a brief history covered of Gees Bend.
Our next step is to design your own Gees Bend style rug measuring 18 x 24 with the help and suggestions from instructor Linda. Straight lines not needed here. Don’t want to design a rug. No problem. There will be some patterns available from Let Nola Do It – which you should preorder to make sure you get the pattern you want. For those designing their own rug, you can preorder bleached linen from Let Nola Do It or bring your own.
The next step is color planning. Of course, the entire rug can be planned or just put in one color at a time in the spirit of the Gees Bend quilters. In that same spirit, you will be encouraged to try your hand at hooking with some alternative materials such as t-shirt strips in your rug. The ladies of Gees Bend often use whatever materials they find available to them such as corduroy and other non-traditional items.
Whether you like those dreamy primitive colors or like to go bright, you will love this class. Feel free to bring leftover stash to utilize in your rug, or share with classmates. These rugs are best hooked in cut # 6 and larger, up to #10.