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34 | LIFE IN SOLERA | NOVEMBER 2025 | QUILTERS This month the Solera Quilters celebrates the contribution of the Gees Bend Quilters of Alabama (pictured above). The quilts of Gee's Bend are quilts created by a group of women and their ancestors who live or have lived in the isolated African-American hamlet of Gee's Bend, Alabama, along the Alabama River since Civil War days. The quilting tradition can be dated back to the 19th century and endures to this day. The residents of Gee's Bend, Alabama, are direct descendants of the enslaved people who worked the cotton plantation established in 1816 by Joseph Gee. Originally began as quilts to keep their family warm, these quilts were fashioned out of their old clothing and f lour and fertilizer sacks. Mostly sewn by hand or on old treadle machines, they follow no patterns and are pieced according to the inspiration of the quilter. Their quilts have been exhibited in museums all over the world. In August 2006, the United States Postal Service released a sheet of 10 stamps commemorating Gee's Bend quilts sewn between 1940 and 1998 as part of the American Treasures series (at right). While today we depend on patterns and purchased fabric to make our quilts, these women are truly inspired to create works of art! Knit and Crochet had our crafters items in the display window for October (photo above). Items were knitted by Olive, Rafea and Caryl. Welcome to our newest member, Janice, who wants to learn to crochet. Weather has been so nice of late, but getting close to "sweater" weather and will be nice to use the items we have all been working on. Drop by and see what we are working on Thursdays from 10 am to 12 noon. KNIT & CROCHET CLUB