People have always depended on furs, fibers, and fabrics for protection and warmth, but these materials also served as a way to enrich their environment. Until the rail lines opened up routes to the South Carolina backcountry in the middle of the nineteenth century, residents had little access to imported goods. In the mountains and foothills, Scots-Irish immigrants brought a strong tradition of flax harvesting and linen production. In other parts of the rural south, plantations provided another source of homespun textiles. Textiles, especially quilts, can serve several functions. Quilts carry powerful emotional significance and many were made to show off fine fabrics and fancy needlework; others were composed of scraps and remnants. Whether using imported fabrics, domestically produced fibers, or material scraps from the family farm, quilts are intimately connected to the maker’s social and economic environment.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Title:
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 1

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Louise Nesbit | Digital Traditions
Louise Nesbit | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Born in the Brookgreen section of Pawleys Island, Louise Nesbit learned the art of African-American strip quilting as a child from her grandmother, Bobbitt Ohree. Drawing from West African principles...
Nellie Mursier
Nellie Mursier
Episode 1

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 2

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Resident of Parksville, S.C. (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Differences | Digital Traditions
Differences | Digital Traditions
Episode 2

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter. How the Beachy-Amish Mennonites differ from the mainstream Amish.
Nellie Mursier
Nellie Mursier
Episode 2

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 3

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Finding a Place to Live | Digital Traditions
Finding a Place to Live | Digital Traditions
Episode 3

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter. Why they left Virginia Beach after they felt it was becoming overdeveloped and the...
Nellie Mursier
Nellie Mursier
Episode 3

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Cabinetmaking | Digital Traditions
Cabinetmaking | Digital Traditions
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter.
Nellie Mursier
Nellie Mursier
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ruby and Estelle discuss Ruby's husband's Dresden Plate quilt and how beautiful this method of trimming a quilt is.
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting Photos | Digital Traditions
Alberta Gilchrist: Quilting Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 5

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Resident of Parksville, S.C. (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...
Nellie Mursier Photos | Digital Traditions
Nellie Mursier Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 5

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Quilter Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her...
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Episode 5

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ruby and Estelle discuss quilting becoming a lost art; however, people are coming back to it.
Not Conforming | Digital Traditions
Not Conforming | Digital Traditions
Episode 6

Audio

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter.
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart
Episode 6

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ruby and Estelle discuss why they enjoy quilting, including how interesting it is to plan a quilt, to choose colors, and select a pattern, and how relaxing it is to quilt.