Quilt: a fabric covering made of patches and pieces of cut cloth, stitched back together, and designed in an image or pattern that relates to a story of the quilter. A simple process it seems, right? Well, there’s actually more to it than that. Quilting is a form of expression, a timeless practice that has been passed down for generations in so many places and different settings that it has manifested itself as the reason for many social gatherings around the country. Quilting circles have made the social scene, keeping people inspired to continue this craft which has been such an important part of the American culture. Different subcultures have also helped to make establish quilting as a diverse and versatile art style through their contributions to the art for reasons, which were often humanitarian. For centuries, quilting in the United States has brought people together in solidarity, helping to bring together social groups and solidifying subcultures.
WC: 153
This project touches on important parts of American culture that may seem dried up to some and nothing but a hobby for the elderly by others. But in our modern American society, quilting is still an important aspect of our culture. It exemplifies the creativity and strength of people from the past to the present, and is represented by the stories that their quilts can tell us.
WC: 213
Sources:
Internet
Driessen, Kris. “Putting it in Perspective: The Significance of Underground Railroad Quilts”. Quilt History.com. 26 Oct. 2010. Web.
<http://www.quilthistory.com/ugrrquilts.htm>
“Women’s Community Quilts”. Clio Visualizing History. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. <http://www.cliohistory.org/visualizingamerica/quilts/womenscommunityquilts/>
Primary Sources
James, Michael. Face to face. January 4-5. 2003. <http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/james03.htm>
Mazloomi, Carolyn. Face to face. September 17-30. 2004. <http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/mazloo02.htm>
Newspaper
Green, Penelope. “Alternative Craft – Quilting with a Hard Edge”. NY Times. 11 Aug. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/garden/12qna.html?scp=1&sq=quilting&st=cse>
Scholarly Article
“Redwork: A textile Tradition in America”. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.quiltindex.org/redwork.php>
Media
“The African American Quilt Making Tradition”. Youtube.com. 15 dec. 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehTSQdwbeyg>
Book
Marler, Ruth. The Art of the Quilt. China: PRC Publishing. 2001. Print.
Readings
The Folklore Process:
Objects of Memory
Tradition, Genuine or Spurious
Interesting topic. In your first paragraph, you mention that quilting is a big part of American culture. Why? This is something you might need to address in you final project.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you know that some people make quilts out of old t-shirts?
Dr. Eff:
ReplyDeleteTitle: Does this best reflect your thesis?
Stitched back together—to form a new pattern
Excellent thesis statement.
But if you are looking at African American quilts or groups in particular you should include that up top.
Some good sources--I like that you found Joanne Cubbs’ oral histories. However you will need to explore Maude Wahlman’s and Roland Freeman’s (Arabber’s author) work. Both are authorities on African American quilts. Have you seen the Marler book? There are many that may be far more specific and more recent to your inquiry. You need to be careful with the UGRR information. I am not sure that it has been proven. It has been somewhat controversial.
Get real with your sources. url’s are not citations. Use Bibliographic format as discussed from Chicago Manual of Style or MLA. These will not due. Are you clear on what a bibliography is and what the form should be?
Dr. King:
I agree with Dr. Eff’s comments—especially that you be clear that you are looking at African American women and the quilting tradition in your thesis statement. This will help you focus your project and the sources you are using. From your thesis statement you are really thinking about this project in the right way. Just focus and become more specific. This will come naturally as you delve deeper into your sources and begin to write your paper. The title will take better form as you move forward and find your voice and original take on this very interesting and important topic. Good thinking. Now get to reading and writing.
Your topic sounds great. I don't know much about quilting in America, or anywhere else, but your proposal makes me want to read more and understand the tradition better. The only thing that I thought really could be fixed was the thesis, but Dr. Eff and Dr. King already addressed that.
ReplyDeleteI only have one concern. I'm a bit confused. You speak of the beneficial impact on the U.S. through quilting but then go on to speak of African American women in the 19th century. If the focus of the project is on the role that quilting played for people during the 19th century, then you need to clarify that in your thesis at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteOverall, job well done.
Yours is really focused! Yay! And yeah, your thesis is great, but excluding the African-American aspect. Also, I really like your "so what" answer :) I was wondering what you'd write about that, cause I was thinking: "Ok, quilts. That's interesting. But who cares?"
ReplyDeleteI care now. And show me any awesome quilts you might find!! I hope they'll be warm and snuggly, those quilts are the best quilts.
I really like how you started out with the definition of a quilt, it gets the reader- or at least me- interested in the topic.
ReplyDeleteI also agree wholeheartedly with what Josh said, you answered the "so what" question really nicely and portrayed the importance of having quilts.
One slight recommendation I have is maybe providing a little more information on how quilts were made- like the actual process- and maybe some quilting stories as well?
Andrea, I loved the lines leading up to your thesis statement. You started of strong but but still seams a little broad.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your proposal. I know nothing about quilts other than they're cool-looking. You really drew me in and made me want to know more.
ReplyDeleteGreat project idea- I like how you refer to quilting as something more than a hobby for dried up old women? Or was it a dried up hobby for elder woman... lol :P.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I feel like the thesis in and of itself it good, but a little broad. If you're going to be talking about African Americans and quilting maybe try to put something about that in the thesis?
This sounds like a neat project. In your thesis, you mention different groups and subculture, and later seem to focus on African Americans. I think you need to pick one or the other. If you would like to focus on African Americans and quilting, that would be interesting; however, looking at a couple of different groups and what quilting means to them would be just as interesting...I'm thinking of 9/11. Maybe that doesn't quite fit into your project, but I'm pretty sure that after that, people got together to make quilts...I don't know, it's just an idea...
ReplyDeletebut anyways, I cannot wait to see what you learn about quilting, whichever way you decide to go!
Good stuff. Your writing keeps me interested from start to finish. There are so many ways you can take this project, perhaps you should only focus on one quilting community (i.e. African American quilters?). By narrowing your topic you'll be able to go much more in depth with your study and produce a more substantial product.
ReplyDeleteI like both the historical and more recent aspect of your project. Quilting has always interested me and I look forward to seeing your final project!
ReplyDelete