Curriculum Connections

Language Arts/English
High School – Are Quilts Art?
Can utilitarian quilts be considered art? Discuss arguments for and against the idea that quilts should be exhibited in an art museum. Read art critics’ opinions as well, such as the differing responses that critics Michael Kimmelman and Brooks Barnes had to The Quilts of Gee’s Bend exhibition (listed in Additional Resources for Study).

Social Studies
Middle and High School – The Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective
The successful exhibitions of quilts from Gee’s Bend have created a renaissance in quiltmaking and an increased demand for work done by these quiltmakers. Fifty local women created the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective in 2003 to sell their quilts. When a quilt is sold, part of the income goes directly to the quiltmaker and the rest is distributed among the members of the collective. Learn about how the collective works and how it might serve as an example for other communities on the website quiltsofgeesbend.com.

Math
Elementary School – Patterns and Pattern Breaks
Using quilting tiles (available through the ETA/Cuisenaire website; see Additional Resources for Study) or shapes cut out of construction paper (one-inch squares and triangles cut from one-inch squares), have students create a clear pattern within a nine-patch block (three rows of three squares). Then, have students exchange patterns with a partner. The partner must change one or two pieces to break the overall pattern and create visual interest. What changed? How does the pattern break affect the design?

Art
Elementary and Middle School – Digital Quilt Designs
Louisiana Bendolph’s daughter and granddaughter create quilt designs on the computer. Using Adobe Photoshop or another graphics editing program, have students make quilt designs digitally and use them as inspiration in a quilt project

Middle and High School – Aerial Views
Bendolph’s quilt recalls an aerial view of a landscape, including plots of land, roads, and other geographic elements. Have students create designs based on aerial views of their neighborhood, town, or city.