Black Community Quilts at Toronto's Textile Museum

If you are in or near Toronto, make some time to get to the Textile Museum this month! There is a beautiful exhibit on until April 28, called The Secret Codes: African Nova Scotian Quilts, curated by David Woods. There are some gorgeous historical pieces as well as modern quilts, all with lots of context to learn from. 

I stopped in when I was in Toronto recently and really enjoyed it. There was a variety of styles and techniques in the more than 35 quilts on display, and there is always lots more to check out in the Museum shop and textile reuse centre. 

I was drawn in by so many details - stitches, quilting, colour choices, stories - and I love that the exhibit is big enough to have breadth but not so big that you feel overwhelmed. It's a great visit. 

One of my favourites was this one, called Amelda's Prayer. So beautiful! 

But there were so many to enjoy.

This traditional quilt was really interesting to me for the details. All that black edging on the stars is blanket stitch. I don't remember seeing this kind of accent before and love it. 

This was the only real abstract of the show and I thought it was great. 

So many representational quilts as well. All fabulous. 

I really enjoyed this show and wish I could have made it to one of the special events they had in conjunction with it. Oh well -- I did get to enjoy it! Try to get there if you can. 

Weekend Review: The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt

 

The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt / Riel Nason
illus. by Byron Eggenschewiler
Toronto: Tundra Books, c2020.
42 p.

This is a sweet picture book about a little ghost who just doesn't fit in with this peers - they (classic sheets) can twirl and float but our little ghost, made of a heavier patchwork quilt, likes to lay himself over clotheslines or chairs since floating is so hot and difficult. 

One Halloween he ends up on a porch railing for a better view, and is mistaken for a blanket -- he's picked up and taken on a trick-or-treating journey. He keeps a little girl warm, gets a little sticky, and escapes late at night when everyone in the house is asleep. His adventures make him the hot topic in his peer group after that! 

This is a gentle tale, and the illustrations match the tone of the story perfectly. The colours are muted, and the images feel a little bit retro. If you're looking for a book that's sweet instead of scary, and you love the idea of a patchwork ghost descended from a checked tablecloth and a lace curtain - well, you'll love this charming story. Great for any bedtime reading for quilters and textile lovers!