Customer Reviews

Facts and Fabrications: Unraveling the History of Quilts and Slavery: 8 Projects, 20 Blocks, First-Person Accounts

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a beautiful book of history on African-American quilt making and is chock full of photos, patterns, and basic American history as well. She pulls no punches, tells no lies or tales, and tells you what is an absolute FACT and what is questionable. If you are interested at all in the subject, you must have this book. It is way beyond the info in E.Burns Underground Railroad book. (Which is also a nice resource.)

This book is an excellent mixture of history and handicrafts.

First it is a study of quilts made by slaves prior to 1865 and the end of the Civil War. It shows a number of quilts that are known to have been made before then and discusses the meanings in their design. There is a surprising variation in the designs as the slaves blended some traditional African designs with designs that had some particular mean to their new life in America, many of these have some reference, perhaps hidden from normal view, towards freedom.

The other part of the book is the instructions on how to made 8 projects using 20 design blocks. These include quite a number of the designs from the earlier section.

All in all, another splendid book from Ms. Brackman.

This book should go a long way toward combating the myth circulating about quilts and the Underground Railroad. Filled with real historical information, it offers a positive way to celebrate the lives of those who risked their lives for freedom without distorting the truth. Anything by Barbara Brackman is always first class.

History is what one expects from this author, and she doesn't disappoint. The block patterns are lovely and since I've just started reading this book, I look forward to making some of them soon.

This is a great book on the history of quilting and slavery. I had bought the book for the history but have decided I would like to try some of the projects also. Great book to teach kids how to quilt and about the history.

A fascinating book by Barbara Brackman on the history of slavery & quilts. She goes into depth on how slavery originated, emancipation & integration of slaves, or lack thereof. She didn't quite hit the mark disproving the link between escaping slaves & the role of the underground railroad quilt in sending directional messages, which was an area she briefly glossed over leaving the reader dissatisfied & still questioning the outcome.

The quilts portrayed were attractive but not as outstanding as the projects in her many other wonderful books.

As a book on the history of slavery, this text is excellent. In disproving fabrications between underground railroad quilts & escaping slaves, I feel it falls short. A worthwhile read, however.

I've nothing but rave reviews for Barbara Brackman's books - this one is another "keeper". The first hand accounts of the freed slaves are very interesting reading. There are excellent photographs throughout this book and the quilt patterns have me itching to cut up some fabric!

Great history of quilts during the Civil War and slavery. Very informative and interesting reading. Highly recommend.

Although I haven't finished this book I am very impressed with what I've read so far. This book would interest anyone who wants to know more about the early history of quilting without regard to the "color" of the quilter. The pictures show families during this time and their living conditions. I would recommend highly. I am eager to make some of the quilt squares offered here.

This was interesting, but what I was after was something to utilize as a source. I am concerned that there was not sufficient documentation on the blocks. I am not impressed with Ms. Brackman's lack of use of primary documents. That said, I am even more concerned that the commercialization of slavery quilts continues, rather than a solid material historical approach to those women and, yes men, who were talented quilters of their time.