Stories in the Seams: A People's History of Black Quilts and Their Makers

Chronicle Books will release 'Stories in the Seams: A People's History of Black Quilts and Their Makers' on October 6, a richly illustrated volume researched by Sharbreon Plummer that traces the centuries-old practice of Black quiltmaking from the late 18th century to contemporary works. The book explores the cultural and historical significance of quilts, including their possible role in the Underground Railroad as a secret code, though this remains unconfirmed. It covers the roots of quilting in the cotton industry and slavery in the American South, highlighting how enslaved women hand-sewed bedspreads for plantations and how, after Emancipation, Black individuals relied on quiltmaking to generate resources amid the uncertainties of Reconstruction. Featured works include Viola Burla Leak's 'Watts Riot' (2021), depicting the 1965 Los Angeles uprising, and Ruth Clement Bond's 1934 design of a Black Power fist holding a red lightning bolt. The book also includes pieces by the Quilters of Gee's Bend and contemporary artists such as Bisa Butler, Basil Kincaid, and Faith Ringgold, along with archival photos of tradition-defining individuals. Plummer's introductory chapter 'Homecoming' addresses the transition from slavery to freedom and the material challenges faced. The volume is available for pre-order on Bookshop.