I am in the process of developing a quilting class with prisoners at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. Starting March 2022 (if Covid levels are low enough) with a small group of initial quilters, we will work on developing basic sewing and quilting skills and create quilts to donate to local community groups and/or sell as a source of income. With time, I hope to grow the class and bring in additional volunteer instructors, and, in collaboration with the students, develop a fiber art project that can help tell their stories to the wider community.
In my experience teaching and working with incarcerated students, quilting can provide a space where students can bring beauty and color into their lives, process relationships with their family and loved ones, and make decisions and exert creative control in a setting where they control very little about their daily lives. While quilting alone is not going to bring about a world without prisons, it can bring some joy and creativity to students on the inside, while helping to tell their complex stories to the broader community.
I am currently seeking both material and cash donations to outfit a sewing studio with machines, tools, and supplies for 6 students. Cash donations can be made through Go Fund Me and there's a list of material donations we're seeking below.
Material Wish List
Sewing Machines in good working order
Walking and quarter inch feet
Rotary Cutters, cutting mats, and quilting rulers
100% Cotton quilting fabric, 1 yard pieces or larger
Full or mostly full spools of thread
Quilting books and patterns
For more information or to donate supplies contact Rachel.a.wallis (at) gmail.com
In my experience teaching and working with incarcerated students, quilting can provide a space where students can bring beauty and color into their lives, process relationships with their family and loved ones, and make decisions and exert creative control in a setting where they control very little about their daily lives. While quilting alone is not going to bring about a world without prisons, it can bring some joy and creativity to students on the inside, while helping to tell their complex stories to the broader community.
I am currently seeking both material and cash donations to outfit a sewing studio with machines, tools, and supplies for 6 students. Cash donations can be made through Go Fund Me and there's a list of material donations we're seeking below.
Material Wish List
Sewing Machines in good working order
Walking and quarter inch feet
Rotary Cutters, cutting mats, and quilting rulers
100% Cotton quilting fabric, 1 yard pieces or larger
Full or mostly full spools of thread
Quilting books and patterns
For more information or to donate supplies contact Rachel.a.wallis (at) gmail.com