Bring art and African American history together with this easy, but lovely quilt art project inspired by the talented quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama.
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You most likely don’t think of small communities in south Alabama when you’re thinking of art, yet the women of Gee’s Bend, a secluded rural area also known as Boykin, have quilts hanging in art museums across the world. Their quilts were even featured on United States postal stamps back in 2006.
While these brilliant and innovative women should certainly be celebrated for their ingenuity and talent, I encourage you to learn more about their story when enjoying our quilt project with your kiddo.
Gee’s Bend Quilt Art for Kids
Ready to get started with your Gee’s Bend quilt art? Here’s what you need:
- Photo frame with mat (We used an 11×14 frame, but any size will work.)
- Canvas panel (Be sure to have the size that matches your photo frame.)
- Mod Podge (Matte finish is best, but any will work.)
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Assorted scrapbook paper
While these aren’t needed for our quilt art, I do recommend the following books for exploring the Gee’s Bend community’s rich history:
- Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend – This picture book focuses on the people of Gee’s Bend and their connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Stitchin’ and Pullin’: A Gee’s Bend Quilt – This book tells the story of the Gee’s Bend quilters using poems and illustrations inspired by their world-famous quilts.
- The Quilts of Gee’s Bend – The most in-depth of these reading selections about the Gee’s Bend quilters, this one includes lots of photos of the quilts and from the community.
Step 1 – Prepare the canvas.
Begin by having your child lightly trace an outline of the photo mat onto the canvas. This will help him remember what will remain visible when the finished project is framed.
This is also a good time to study some quilt patterns from the Gee’s Bend quiltmakers. This will guide paper selection and help your kiddo draw inspiration for the project.
Step 2 – Prepare scrapbook paper.
Next, have your student select scrapbook paper and begin cutting pieces to create the quilt art. This can include strips of paper, squares, or any desired shapes.
Also, remember that these paper “scraps” don’t need to be perfect. They need to resemble fabric scraps and will be pieced together to make something unique. That makes this project perfect for kids who aren’t great with scissors or don’t enjoy intricate cutting projects.
For our project, my kiddo drew inspiration from a framed Gee’s Bend quilt square that hangs in her bedroom. That piece was a part of her nursery and looks quite different from most Gee’s Bend quilts, but it served as nice inspiration for her project.
Step 3 – Arrange quilt pattern.
When all the paper scraps are cut, encourage your kiddo to experiment with the paper arrangement. Be sure to use the penciled “mat” from Step 1 to remember what will remain visible in the completed project.
Step 4 – Apply Mod Podge.
Once your kiddo has a working pattern in mind, take a photo of it and keep it nearby for reference. Then carefully use the Mod Podge to glue the paper cutouts to the canvas.
If your student’s pattern contains pieces that will be placed on top of other cutouts, allow the Mod Podge on the bottom paper cutouts to dry before gluing anything on top of them. This will reduce bubbling and tearing in the bottom layers.
Step 5 – Seal, frame, and enjoy!
After the glue dries completely, have your student seal the quilt art by “painting” a layer of Mod Podge over the pattern. This layer will be clear when it dries and will provide fabric-like texture to the finished project.
When the sealing layer dries, carefully place your quilt art in the frame, secure the frame backing, and enjoy. 🙂
Don’t forget to share your quilt art with us! Be sure to include #masterpiecesociety in your caption and tag us on social media so we can celebrate your work. 🙂
