Stitching Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers

by Mary E. Lyons

Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century America, the artistry of Harriet Powers, a skilled seamstress and deeply religious woman born into slavery, is captured in reproductions of panels from her magnificent story quilts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Quilting, Art, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1993

About the author

Mary E. Lyons, a former teacher and librarian, became a full-time writer in 1993. She is the author of nineteen books for young readers published by Scribner, Atheneum, Henry Holt, Houghton Mifflin and Oxford University Press.

Born and raised in the American South, Mary Lyons lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, Paul. Her publications for adults include The Blue Ridge Tunnel: A Remarkable Engineering Feat in Antebellum Virginia (History Press, 2014), The Virginia Blue Ridge Railroad (History Press, 2015), and Slave Labor on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Railroad (History Press, 2020).

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Side reading (after reading The Invention of Wings) about preserved applique story quilts made by a black woman in the 1800's-a slave who was freed by the Civil War. In books-as in life-"way leads on to way." One book leads the reader to read something unplanned but much enjoyed because of the context of the book that inspired the digression. I love that about reading!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invention of Wings really opened my eyes to story quilts and this book did a great job of giving me exactly the kind of information I wanted. This is a great book for quilters or YA readers. Great pics, history and quilts.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of story quilts tells about the particular quilts of Harriet Powers but also about the history of applique use. It seems this skill was also utilized in Africa where it is still commonly used and by men no less. The work and artistry seen in these quilts is very impressive, even more so when one considers it was all done by hand. Thank goodness for people who realized these works needed to be preserved and needed to be purchased and kept in order to share them with others. I chose to read this after reading The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd who mentioned Mary Lyons' book in her notes.

[Sandra The Old Woman in a Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this small hard over for a few years and finally read it as I work my way through all the jillions of unread books on my shelves. I have a life long (multi-generational) interest in quilts and this history of Harriet Powers’ story quilts was a facinating history of this textile art form and the role quilting took in the lives of African origin slaves. The applique method was one I did not have much knowledge of and I was enthralled by the history. Dahomey (now Benin) applique artists use of the form and how the technique and imagery survived the Middle Passage is a remarkable example of the perseverence of the artists, and the way art of all kinds moves and tranforms itself with the migration of people (forced or voluntary). If you are interested in quilts specifically or folk art/African art generally you will likely find this little book compelling.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should not count this book in my reading for the year because it took me about ten minutes to complete it. However, I don't want to forget that Sue Monk Kidd in her bibliography for The Invention of Wings mentioned Harriet Powers. I enjoyed seeing the quilts that inspired the quilting done by Charlotte in that novel.

It is wonderful how authors can take bits and pieces from their own reading and write such powerful tales. I can't even imagine how they do that.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a new quilter, I am interested in all types of quilts, and right now I seem to be attracted to Story Quilts. I am grateful to Mary for putting these valuable story quilts on paper for all to enjoy. This also gave me the lead through other's comments to read Sue Monk Kidd's book about slave quilts.

[Amyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s so much within this book about which I take issue.

The romanticized picture of slavery and conjecture about Harriet Powers life is disturbing - even for a children’s book. I realize that conjecture about her life is all there is. I wish it were clearer that the scenarios are imagined rather than factual. The facts are presented intermingled with the imagined in such a way as to present it ALL as factual.

All of that said... I read this story book for the detailed pictures of the quilts and those are FANTASTIC and well worth the exploration.

I long to see both quilts in person at MFA Boston and The Smithsonian

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Powers born into slavery, was a seamstress who made many quilts in her lifetime. In 1886, she began a special quilt that would be a diary of her spiritual life. This quilt is now housed at the Americna History Museum, Smithsonian. She later completed another quilt filled with bible incidents and local folktales, this quilt is housed at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston.

Currently a small group of us are reproducing the Smithsonian quilt.

[Jean Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this slim volume in a library discard pile. While carrying it around and slowly enjoying the story of Harriet Powers and her incredibly moving quilt “pictures, I was also reading The Last Slave Ship by Ben Raines. A double whammy of the tragedy of slavery and an amazing woman’s ability to find beauty and solace in those dark days.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Powers is absolutely amazing. I wish we knew more and I appreciate this book and author deeply for introducing me to Harriet's story after I first saw the quilt. I am also grateful there is one in the Smithsonian and one at a Boston museum. I wonder about the other sewing and quilts she made that we don't have.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a children's book it was a must read for me having read "The invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd. It describes two quilts made by Harriet Powers a slave, they are preserved today in USA museums and gave inspiration to Sue Monk Kidd for parts of her inspirational story.

[Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very interesting and inspiring

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully researched presentation of quilts made by a specific person, born a slave. This is one of the few that can be traced to an individual. Offers background of how and why Negro quilts were created. Photos of both Harriet and her quilts are included. May be used as background to Kidd's Invention of Wings.

[Donna Ciccarelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I recently read The Invention Of Wings (and loved it), I was curious to read about the real story quilts made by slave women in the 1800's. One of the quilts shown in this book is on display at the MFA in Boston, so I'll be headed there to check it out in person sometime soon.

[Emsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book about Harriet Powers, a former slave who made two quilts that have survived to today.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading more about the style of quilt that played such an important role in Sue Monk Kidd's THE INVENTION OF WINGS. Harriet Powers was a talented artist.

[Luanne Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It amazes me that women who had such hard lives had the wherewithal to make art.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a follow-up to The Invention of Wings.