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Linda Thomas

Owner, Quiltmaker

  Detroit, Michigan, United States    

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

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My name is Linda Thomas and I never dreamed that I would be sewing anything in my life. The first time I made anything was in 1979 and I made a maternity shirt to get out of high school and never touched a sewing machine again until my daughter told me she was having a little boy and I was so happy. I knew a lady name Juanita Johnson and I asked her if she would make me a quilt and she told me she would show me how to make it and I did. I was so happy that I made it, I went to my second quilt which was a star flower that had points and another lady told me I had a gift of quilting if I was able to do that quilt like this, and I kept on. I would go over to my teacher Juanita's house twice a week and we would sew together for hours cutting out fabrics and talking and thinking of the next quilt. A few years later I was introduced to Ms. Frances White at her sewing class in 2016. I didn't know a lot of things that had to do with quilting. I've been learning something new about sewing everyday and I love it. I really would like to teach one of my grandchildren how to make a quilt one day. I thank God everyday that I found something to do.

Where was the quiltmaker born?

Detroit, Michigan (MI), United States

How did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

From friend

When did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

Age 40-49

Why does/did the quiltmaker quilt:

Pleasure

Name of quilting group(s):

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network (GLAAQN), Livonia Civic Park Senior Center. Purpose, to promote the knowledge and preservation of quiltmaking in the Black community.

Estimate the number of quilts made by this maker:

5-20 quilts

Does/did the quiltmaker sell quilts?

yes

Does/did the quiltmaker teach quilting?

no

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