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

~ (Author) "This book is based on facts and fabrications..." (more)
Key Phrases: charm string, medium squares, sashing strips, Civil War, North Star, Underground Railroad (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

* Celebrate and continue an American quilt tradition
* Combines history and quilting
* Great for homeschoolers--includes curriculum!

Enslaved peoples in the American South preserved their memories with quilts. Today, In nine remarkable projects, quilt historian and artist Barbara Brackman guides readers through the stories they told--and lets crafters create quilts and samplers that capture their own memories. Mix and match historic blocks and Brackman’s new designs to create timeless treasures.

About the Author

Barbara Brackman, the author of America’s Printed Fabrics, lives in Lawrence, Kansas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571203648
• ISBN-13: 978-1571203649
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,259 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Combination of Art and History, March 21, 2007

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super book on African-American quilt history, April 10, 2007

By	Cynthia D. Garcia (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real History Here, March 26, 2007

By	Conan the Librarian (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

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.