Diversity Not Disorders
Multimedia Quilt Collage and Embroidery Piece by Esther. Learn more about her MRKH and Intersex Activism here.
Voting Rights For Evah!
Ann’s Voting Rights Quilt pays tribute to the iconic accent of her adopted home town.
Fannie Lou Hamer Quilt for Black Votes Matter
A second quilt honoring Fannie Lou Hamer. This one was delivered to Black Votes Matter.
Watch Return of the Bees
In October of 2019, Acres of Ancestry traveled to Alberta, Alabama to interview the few living legacy members of the Freedom Quilting Bee: Ms. Mensie Pettway, Ms. Patti Irby, and Ms. Fannie Etheridge. These legacy lightbearers hope that a revitalization of the Bee will serve as a community institution—propelling the next generations forward in distinct ways, in the cooperative tradition. Our Return of the Bees Project is inspired by the Freedom Quilting Bee paradigm—cooperative, community-centered, and sustainable. The Return of the Bees multimedia project documents the history and evolution of southern Black agrarian material culture, particularly textile arts and heritage quilting, and the culture bearers who carry these traditions.
Pronouns
In a culture where gender identity is social currency, this piece is to honor those of us who can’t pay up. Correct pronouns are indeed important to many people. As an Intersex activist I strive to remind us that the genderqueer/non-binary community is just as diverse as all other communities. The letters in the top and bottom borders represent the 5 basic sex karyotypes-depicting the broad range of human diversity that commonly exists. Counted cross stitch by Esther Leidolf
Children of Liberty
Kit made this quilt, based on a New Yorker cover by B. Blitt, representing children hiding from harm, family separation and jail in Lady Liberty’s skirts. “Like everyone I know, I am outraged that Trump’s government is taking kids away from their families, and keeping children in detention. We have become a monster state. I was very moved by the drawing. It was fun to make Liberty, drape beautiful green fabric, and imagine her big feet and hands. I decided to add two children that at the time we knew had died in ICE detention – Jakelin and Felipe, both Guatemalans. I made Liberty’s arm framing them protectively – I couldn’t stand the idea that she could only be a metal statue. I thought about who to give it to in Congress and I decided to give it to Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. She comes from New York, and because people all around me were talking about her and her bravery and leadership. So I took the quilt to her office and left it with a male receptionist (on the left as you walk in). I never heard back if she got it.”
Speak Truth To Power
Subversive embroidery & Counted cross stitch by Esther Leidolf
Peace On Earth
Photo of a rooftop in San Diego printed on fabric with embroidered text.
Cheese Doodle Facts
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who served the Nixon administration, is credited with this quote. The Cheese Doodle background was printed on fabric seemed fitting during the tRump administration. Subversive embroidery & Counted cross stitch by Esther Leidolf
Away in the Manger
These quilts remind us of the important role immigrants play in our society and that we need to welcome them with grace and respect.
We Go High
Our best FLOTUS deserves my best frame. Quote by Michelle Obama. Embroidery by Esther Leidolf.
We are Radical Threads!
Meet some of the artists and activists behind the Radical Threads Collective!