Sunflower Quilt

Born in Harlem, New York City in 1930

Taught to sew by her mother Taught to make quilts by her

great-great-grandmother An artist (mostly quilts) An author of children’s books Over 75 awards for painting

and writing

Quilt = fabric stitched together usually to create a pattern

Quilt Meanings:o Warmtho Preserving memories and eventso Storytellingo “Message boards" to guide people

Ringgold framed her work with cloth because it made them lighter and less expensive to ship (versus being in heavy frames)

Shapeo A flat figure created when lines meet to enclose a space

• Square• Triangle• Circle• Irregular

Color or Hueo Blue + Yellow = Greeno Red + Yellow = Orangeo Red + Blue = Purple

Repetitiono When word, sound, color or pattern is used over and over

again• Red Red Blue Blue Purple Purple Red Red Blue Blue

Purple Purple

• What shapes do you see?

• What colors do you see?

• What is repeated?

• What is going on in this quilt?

• What kind of story do you think is being told?

• What shapes do you see?

• What colors do you see?

• What is repeated?

“I am inspired by people who rise above their adversity. That’s my deepest inspiration. And also I’m inspired by the fact that if I really, really

want to, I think I can do anything.”

• The quilting bee is a traditional activity of American women• A practice in which

women are in control and enjoy friendships with one another.

• The women are shown as quilters as if they are piecing together freedom.

1. Draw a large sunflower on the white paper.

2. Paint the flowers and leaveso Use yellow, white, brown

and green paints.

o When it is dry, outline the flowers and leaves with a black marker.

3. We will glue them all together onto a large sheet of paper to make a quilt.