Thursday, September 21, 2006

Politically Incorrect.......... this small walling hanging was made back in the late 1980's. I saw it in the book Pieces of The Past, that I showed you last week. That one was made by Nancy Martin in 1985, and based on many old southern quilts. She says the original pattern source is unknown but that this Southern Mammy appears in many parts of the South. I really wanted to make it, and use some of my feedsack and
older yardage for the dresses.
The pattern is not that difficult to graph if you have a picture. The quilt by Nancy Martin is 28" square. Mine is only 27" but my border is narrower than she shows. My blocks finish at 6", therefore they are 8" on the diagonal. It's not hard to measure and draw the lines to form a pattern. Mine is machine pieced and hand quilted.
And while I still like this little quilt very much, I do understand the possible implications that it might hold for some. If it offends you, I am truly sorry, that would NEVER be my intention. An inspiration that came to mind after making it, is that it would be fun to make this again, with little "green" men, wearing Hawiian shirts...*VBS* Posted by Picasa

23 comments:

Peggy said...

i love the quilt and the history behind it. Pass some of your talent over to me. Its a chore to even repair a rip or sew on a button.

Susan Tidwell said...

Love it, just watched Gone With the Wind last night, and the Mammy was so entertaining. Beautiful quilting on this one, as usual!

Darlene said...

That is not offensive to me at all. It's a delightful quilt and I'm really glad that you shared it. What a keepsake for someone in your family.

Hedgehog said...

I absolutely LOVE the idea of little green men in hawaiian shirts! Truly inspired. No offense to me, but very nice of you to be so careful. The word 'mammy' can offend. I think it partly matters who was making the pattern in the south originally - blacks or whites? Wonder if she mentioned that in the book? Your work is great, as always.

Joyce said...

I think the little green men is a great idea. It would be so cute!

Unknown said...

I always think offence should only be taken when it was issued in the first place - otherwise the world can and sadly often is full of misunderstandings - it's a sweet little quilt and stands on its own as a testimony to history in the spirit you made it - it would also be quite fun to make it with people of all different skin tones with shirts pertinent to their origins

Melzie said...

Cute quilt! Hawaiian shirts on green men would be cute too LOL too funny. oxox melzie

McIrish Annie said...

I love the quilt too!! and your new liitle roommate ebony.. congrats. I too have been thinking about getting a kitty.

just back from cape may nj and feeling super after three days on the beach.. will blog some pics tomorrow.

Libby said...

History is what it is and we must learn from it in order to move forward and be better people. Your quilt is part of that lesson. I think it's great -- and the green men in Hawaiian shirts is inspired.

dot said...

The quilt is wonderful. While living in the south I saw many of these type om Mammy items, but then again that was in the 80's. Little green men would be cool, might have to try that.

quiltpixie said...

green men in hiawian shirts would be wonderful!

Andrea said...

My first thought when I saw this quilt is that maybe it was one of those used to show runaway slaves where the next stop on the underground railroad was.

Tazzie said...

It's a really nice quilt Finn, and your quilting is just beautiful too! I really like the idea of the green men too, will you be making one up?
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Jenni said...

History is history. I think the PC business has got a bit out of hand, but then I am white. I like it, and also the plans for the alternative

Vicky said...

I don't feel it's politically incorrect, Finn. Our American art and crafts are full of the influences of different races, creeds and cultures - and it's important for us, as quilters, to commemorate these. Think of our Amish quilts, the Native American designs, the folk art quilts. I think your quilt is beautiful! And I think little green people would be stupendous! :)

(Hugs)

Lily Mulholland said...

Yes we used to have golliwog dolls and little black sambo. Can you believe it? Times have changed - for the better I think.

It's a cute block though :)

Cher said...

it's a unique wall hanging Finn-and you made it special with your quilting and vintage fabrics..

Pam said...

I have seen this made with many different skin tones. Maybe it was a quilt to honor a group of friends? Can't remember, but it was really cute. Not offended.

KC Quilter said...

I have always admired that pattern and think that it serves a purpose to remind us of the past so we can improve upon it for the future. You did a beautiful job on it.

Shelina said...

It is not politically incorrect to make a quilt with black people on it, unless you made them look bad. It's the thought that counts. I think it would be an honor that you would want to represent them on a quilt.

sharon b said...

I love it.. You are so talented.. We have a mixed culture extended family.. Not offencive to us.. Beautiful tribute to past..

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh what a cute quilt! But I think your idea of green men and hawaiian shirts is so cute! I can see Laura doing that one!

Elaine Adair said...

How have I missed all your good eye-candy? With all the time I spend googling all the quilts and blogs, I don't know how I passed up these goodies. LOVE to look at your neat stitches - I've not tried the Utility stitches yet .. Great photos, great quilts.
Peace,