Gee’s Bend, AL // Quilters

Ever since seeing an exhibit of Gee’s Bend Quilts at the University of Mississippi’s Art Museum, I have obsessed over these quilts and longed to meet the quilters.  When Okra Magazine approached me about shooting an editorial for them, I was thrilled.  As you’ll see, I couldn’t resist buying a small quilt.  It is for Tallulah, who is held Mary Ann Pettaway, the maker of her quilt.

When I am elderly, I hope I never forget this afternoon spent listening to their stories, watching them quilt, and exploring their area of the country (even some of the rooftops were quilted).

(L to R: Nancy Pettway, Mary Lou Bendolph, Rita Mae Pettaway, Lola Pettaway)

(L: Lucy Marie Mingo)