Generations of Queer Joy in Alabama, March Quilt Project

For Year 9 of The March Quilts project (TMQ), Bib & Tucker facilitators are partnering with The Invisible Histories Project (IHP) and Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC) and Shoals Diversity Center (SDC) to explore Generations of Queer Joy in Alabama. Participation in Year 9 will be limited to individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ community so that TMQ9 can authentically support these voices and stories.

Please register by clicking link to the right and choosing non-member. This is a free event, but seating is limited to 15 chairs. Email shoalsdiversitycenter@gmail.com for more info. 
 
This year’s partners will guide all aspects of the project; the resulting story quilt will express the diversity of voices and experiences within Alabama’s LGBTQ community. We aim to facilitate spaces where participants—across generations and backgrounds—can shout their joy!
 
Our sewing sessions normally last two hours, we normally have 1 or 2 facilitators/teachers. Our facilitators will teach people the basics of hand sewing from threading a needle and using an embroidery hoop to helping people troubleshoot and figure out the best ways to translate their ideas into a block.
 
The start of the sessions is an introduction to the project and then we give people time to write out, draw out, or talk out their ideas. Some folks like to jump right into the sewing and some folks prefer to take the block fabric home and work on it. We don't expect people to finish a block in a two-hour session and expect most people to finish their work after the session. Out of town folks normally mail it in or if needed to collect them, we will arrange a drive up to pick them up.
 
There will be a few books and samples for ideas and inspiration. There are no limits to what a participant puts on the block as long as it has a 1/4 seam allowance around the edge so we can sew them together on a sewing machine. The quilts are shown publicly, often in community spaces like libraries, but also galleries and other art spaces.
 
This session will be limited to 15-20 people so they can help everyone that needs help. If possible, they like to collect contact information from participants so they can let you know when the quilts are being shown or other projects they are working on.
 
Sessions don't cost anything, and they bring up all the supplies needed. They can't leave the hoops and needles with people since they need them for other sessions, but they do sell hand embroidery kits put together for $5. They include a hoop, needle, and a variety of 20 different colored embroidery threads, which is a great deal based on the current cost of embroidery thread. They also bring fabric scraps, buttons, and fabric markers for people to use.