Abolition quilting bee

August 2020 - December 2020

These three quilts are the product of nearly 120 people across North America (Canada and US) stitching together with belief in a future without prisons or police. Each quilter was asked to make a 12” square of some personal significance while also reflecting on contemporary abolitionist writings. Three artists in Maine, Michigan, and Illinois embroidered the message “With the stitches of this quilt we bind ourselves to the work of abolishing prisons and police” on their squares and the rest of the quilters embroidered their initials on their own squares as both a signature to the quilted contract and a signature for their work. You can read reflections about individual squares under #quiltsforabolition.

The bee gave us a chance at collective action in a time of prevailing solitude and isolation. Although we were not able to physically gather to quilt with one another in the style of a traditional quilting bee, for the duration of the making there was a strong sense of connection amongst the quilters. The final product was three quilts, lovingly made and ready for fundraising, but it was also a community of quilters bound to the work of abolition and to one another.

The raffle of all three quilts together raised $12,070.77 for Assata’s Daughters. The minimum price to enter the raffle was $15, although higher donations were absolutely welcome and encouraged- the average donation amount was roughly $30. Donation size did not affect your chance at winning a quilt- each person was entered once.

Big, deep gratitude to the 100+ square makers who worked on this project in the midst of a global pandemic. Big, deep gratitude to Janet Nelson, Kayla Ginsburg, and Maya Critchfield for your skills with embroidery and our ongoing collaboration. Big, deep gratitude to Deva North, Zoë Miller, and Selena Loomis for taking the bee home and generously basting, hand quilting, and binding these quilts for all of us. Big, deep gratitude to Tavi Veraldi for pressing every single seam open. Big, deep gratitude to 4LW Cafe for lending us your mailbox and so much enthusiasm. Big, deep gratitude to Jane Wolff for the sheets used on the backs, and big, deep gratitude to Deva North for finding and piecing the batting. THANK YOU.