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Hilda Vest

Quiltmaker, Owner

  Detroit, Michigan, United States    

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

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The summer of 1987 was a memorable one for me because I was forced to nurse a broken ankle for several months. Boredom soon set in and I decided this was an opportune time to try my hand at quilting. I had longed to do so, but with a career and family, there just never seemed to be enough time.

My first quilt was an Ohio Star pattern with 21 pieces in each block. I completed 20 blocks entirely by hand and later took a class where I learned to make the “sandwich” which becomes a quilt.

I made several quilts entirely by hand during that period, but decided to incorporate the sewing machine, at least with the piecing process.

Thirty years have passed and I continue to quilt by hand, as that is my favorite part.

A great side effect of this craft is the numerous quilters I have met who inspire me with their creativity. A sisterhood exists that transcends the bolts of fabric it seems none of us can resist.

My quilting credits include:
Facilitator at the 2002 BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL in Atlanta, Georgia
2nd Place in the Senior Olympics Crafts Department
COMMUNION OF THE SPIRITS EXHIBITION at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
University of Michigan BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITION
CIVIL RIGHTS EXHIBITION at Michigan State University Museum
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION in Oberlin , Ohio
Two publications with Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi
CODES OF THE UNDERGROUND RQAILROAD at the Detroit Public Library
One-Woman Exhibition in Detroit, Michigan at THE HEIDELBERG EMERGING ARTIST PROJECT

When was the quiltmaker born?

06/05/1933

Ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

African American

Educational background:

B.S. in Education

Religious affiliation:

Protestant

Occupation (if retired, former occupation):

Retired Teacher in Detroit Public School

Where was the quiltmaker born?

Griffin, Georgia (GA), United States

Where did the quiltmaker grow up?

Urban

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Freeman

Spouse's/Spouses' name(s):

Vest, Donald

How did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

From guild or club member

When did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

Age 50 or over

Why does/did the quiltmaker quilt:

Pleasure

Other reasons the quiltmaker makes/made quilts.

My mother taught me to sew.

Name of quilting group(s):

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network (GLAAQN), Livonia Civic Park Senior Center
Friends of Friends

Estimate the number of quilts made by this maker:

20-50 quilts

Does/did the quiltmaker sell quilts?

no

Does/did the quiltmaker teach quilting?

no

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