Quiltmaking and religions in North America have long been intertwined. Hundreds, if not thousands, of quilting groups have been associated with specific religious groups and many even physically meet at religious buildings. These groups have been instrumental in raising tens of thousands of funds for church building projects, mission outreach, and to mark occasions in the lives of church leaders and members.

It is not surprising then that some individual artists make quilts which visually show their affiliation with religious beliefs and practices. For instance, they might incorporate texts and images drawn from the Scriptures or interpretive lyrics from inspirational songs, use blocks whose names are connected to Christian religious references, or render pictures of their churches in their work. There are many examples of quilts which present Biblical phrases, such as “I Am” or the words of “The Lord’s Prayer,” both attributed to Jesus. Some quilts display multiple scriptures.

One example in the Quilt Index of a quilt incorporating references to images and moments in the Bible is the “Scripture Sampler” quilt made by a group affiliated with the First Methodist Church in Midland, Michigan. It incorporates a sampling of quilt blocks whose names are connected to Christian religious references: Crown of Thorns, Joseph's Coat and Jacob's Ladder, Temple Court, Children of Israel, Dove in the Window, Cross Within Cross, Job's Troubles, Steps to the Altar, Golgotha, World Without End, Christmas Star, Star of Bethlehem, Eye of God, and the Tree of Life. Another quilt found in the Quilt Index is titled, “Bible Redwork”, made by an unknown quilter in the “Bible Quilt History” pattern designed by Ruby Short McKim and first published in 1927, the quilt features illustrations of numerous scenes and individuals in the Bible embroidered in white thread on to a red background.¹ Among the scenes depicted are The Altar of Sacrifice, The Tower of Babel, The Pillar of Salt, Rebekah at the Well, Joseph Sold into Egypt, Moses Adopted by Pharoah's Daughter, The Rock of Living Water and The Fall of Jericho. For those who are religious readers of the Bible, creating a quilt that represents important phrases from that source often replicates a significant part of their lives. For instance, African American Michigan quilter Lula Williams has been a member of the Elyton Baptist Church in Detroit for decades. One of her quilts, created in 1987, reflects the role that religion plays in her life. She placed the Biblical words “I Am” as the second figure at the top of a white and gold block patterned quilt that bears that name; no other words are included. What enhances the attractiveness of the piece are the 19 beautifully designed visuals that reflect 7 phrases Jesus is quoted as speaking or that mirror how many Black preachers describe him during their sermons. One is the depiction of a man in a classic outdoor robe with a rod in his hand, a visual nod to Jesus’s statement: “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10). Another image is a lit white candle rested in a candlestick. Here, the reference appears to be to his well-known “I am the Light of the World” phrase (John 8).

Another example in the Quilt Index is one by John Drake, a Georgia-born African American/Native American who was affiliated with the Methodist Church. He created a quilt titled “The Lord’s Prayer” which includes the words associated with the prayer Jesus taught the disciples (Luke 11 and Matthew 6). The quilt, created between 1929 and 1930, presents the fully written prayer via capital letters, perhaps an indication of what Drake wanted to convey: the major level at which he views those words. With a solid blue background and contrasting pink letters, this quilt could be used and appreciated by those who are religiously affiliated as well as lovers of the song.

One of the most well-known quilts which reflects the place of religion in the life of a quilter is the “Bible Quilt” made between 1895-1898 by Harriet Powers, a formerly enslaved African American living in Athens, Georgia. The original quilt is owned by the Smithsonian which, in 1992, contracted with a China-based company to produce replicas, one of which can be seen in the Quilt Index.² It includes, from left to right, the Bible stories of (1) Adam and Eve with serpent and other animals, (2) Adam and Eve in the Garden, (3) Satan amidst seven stars, (4) Cain killing Abel and Cain's sheep in the field, (5) Cain getting wife in the land of Nod; various animals, (6) Jacob's ladder, (7) Baptism of Christ, with dove, (8) Crucifixion, (9) Judas with 30 pieces of silver, (10) the Last Supper; Judas is the dark figure, and (11) the Holy Family: baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. “Amazing Grace” is one of the most widely-known hymns and is frequently performed in a range of settings around the world. It was written in 1772 by John Newton in reflection of his move from being a slave trader to becoming a Christian minister. It has often been played or sung at funerals. In one notable use in recent history, President Barack Obama began singing it at a service for the reverend killed during a mass shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. Immediately, others in the room joined him in singing that solemn hymn.

Claudia Clark Myers of Minnesota made a quilt named “Amazing Grace” using batik styling—decorative fabric created by applying hot wax and dye—which is in the central section while being encased by a floral border. While there is no text on the quilt that ties it directly to the song, the bold red and black colors featured in this textile could be viewed as a reflection of the word “amazing” in that the quilt is attention-grabbing. Numerous commercial quilt patterns are named Amazing Grace. One features the legendary manger scene of baby Jesus with Mary, Joseph, and the wise men; another features a lion and a lamb resting together. Fabrics have even been produced which carry the lyrics and music notations from Amazing Grace. The advertisements for the printed fabric allude to the enduring song: “Infuse your quilting projects with timeless elegance using the AMAZING GRACE Lyrics & Music fabric by QT Fabrics.”³

And finally, the international best-selling gospel single of all times has its title connected to quilts as well. The song’s three title words, “Oh Happy Day,” originally from an 18th century hymn, were made internationally famous by the 1969 recording by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. The phrase can be found in a variety of settings, including major movies, TV shows, and social media posts since individuals relate to them in a range of ways.⁴ The phrase “Oh Happy Day” has become so ubiquitous in society that it is often used without knowledge of its relationship to the song. This is even true in the quilt world. As an example, Myra Barnes titled her book of quilt patterns with the phrase “Oh Happy Day!”; she presents patterns in five sizes ranging from baby and throw to king and queen.⁵ The same can be said about the patterns in Corey Yoder’s collection titled “Oh Happy Day! 21 Cheery Quilts & Pillows You’ll Love.”⁶ There is no stated tie to the song but the examples of quilts made in the patterns for each are presented in bright colors; the art is intended to bring joy.

This short look at quilts in which Biblical phrases and inspirational song titles are utilized is a reminder of the deep and varied ways that religious history and beliefs intersect with embroidered, patched, and appliquéd textiles. It is also a reminder of how quilts evidence aspects of the lives of those who make them as well as the role that quilts play in the communities in which they have been made and used.

Submitted February 2025

Deborah Smith Pollard, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita, a title she received after serving as professor of English Literature and Humanities at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for 28 years. Her research in gospel music has been published in academic and popular journals. Her book When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008) was named a Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. She has also served metropolitan Detroit’s gospel community since 1983 as a radio personality and co-producer of major events.

Marsha MacDowell, Ph.D. is Professor, Department of Art, Art History, and Design, and Curator of Folk Arts and Quilt Studies at Michigan State University Museum, and Director, The Quilt Index. She has published extensively on folk arts and quilts, including, with Betty MacDowell and C. Kurt Dewhurst, Religious Folk Art in America: Reflections of Faith, New York: E. P. Dutton, 1983.

¹Redwork usually refers to textiles with white backgrounds with embroidery done in red-colored thread.
²The Smithsonian ceased producing replicas in response to an outcry from American quilters who argued that quilt replicas of an American quilt could have been made domestically by American quilters.
³A Little Fabric Store Where it Seams Like Home. https://www.alittlefabricstore.com/shop/c/p/AMAZING-GRACE---LYRICS-MUSIC-QT-Fabrics-Quilts-x87407192.htm. Accessed January 26, 2025.
⁴Pollard, Deborah Smith, Oh Happy Day: The Best-Selling Gospel Single. Unpublished manuscript, 2025. The song was part of a custom LP, Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, recorded in 1968 by The Northern California State Youth Choir and choir director, Edwin Hawkins. In 1969 the song, which was already getting national attention, was released by Buddah Records and became an international hit for the choir that was known as the Edwin Hawkins Singers
⁵Barnes, Myra. Oh, Happy Day! Bothell, Washington: Martingale Publishers, 2022.
⁶Yoder, Corey. “Oh Happy Day! 21 Cheery Quilts & Pillows You'll Love”. BusyHandsQuilts.com. https://shorturl.at/22trA. Accessed January 25, 2025.