The art of quilting is woven deeply into the fabric of African American history. From the earliest days of slavery, quilts have served not only as sources of warmth, but as vessels of memory, creativity, resistance, and legacy.
What began as informal quilting circles and community-based “bees” during slavery and the Jim Crow era evolved into powerful spaces of solidarity and storytelling. Today, that tradition continues through modern guilds dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American textile arts.
One of Chicago’s most enduring examples is the Needles and Threads Quilters Guild, a nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of history and a thriving membership of over 130 fiber artists.
The Guild’s work is showcased through its biannual exhibit, held in even-numbered years. This year’s exhibition will take place October 10–11, featuring hands-on activities, presentations, raffles, and opportunities for attendees to experience quilting up close.
Central to the Guild’s mission is service. Members create baby blankets, pillowcases, and hats for local hospitals such as La Rabida Children’s Hospital, along with donations to community-based organizations across Chicago.
Needles and Threads is also committed to education and connection. The Guild offers teacher-led quilting classes every second Saturday of the month and creative technique sessions every Tuesday and Thursday.
This Black History Month, Needles and Threads partnered with the Lakeside Quilting Guild to present a special celebration featuring one of America’s master quilting artists: Sunshine Joe Mallard.
On Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m., Lakeside Quilting Guild, in collaboration with Needles and Threads, will host “An Evening with Sunshine Joe Mallard” at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 South Woodlawn Avenue.
Together, these two guilds offer a powerful reminder: quilting remains a living tradition—one that continues to celebrate Black artistry, history, and community on Chicago’s South Side.
Sidebar: Quilter Spotlight: Zakiya Williams
For Zakiya Williams, quilting began not in a classroom or studio, but with love—and a family milestone.
In 1995, as her parents prepared to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Williams wanted to honor them in a meaningful and lasting way. Guests were invited to write their names and messages directly onto quilt blocks. After holding onto the blocks for eighteen years, she joined the Needles and Threads Quilters Guild in 2013, where she learned how to bring them together into a finished quilt.
For the Guild’s twenty-fifth anniversary, Williams created a quilt titled “25 Williams Style,” incorporating photos of her family alongside blocks representing favorite colors, colleges, and fraternity and sorority affiliations.
Active in her community, Williams has been married for 53 years to her husband, Dr. Jackie Williams, a retired OB/GYN. The couple has lived in South Shore for more than four decades and share three children and five grandchildren.
Her quilting journey reflects the heart of Needles and Threads itself: fabric transformed into family, art, and legacy.
