African Piece Star Quilt

Colorful African batik and patterned fabrics comprise the five stars arranged on an ochre background in this variation of an Aunt Eliza’s Star pattern. The work features hand-stitched piecing and quilting techniques. The black diagonal sashing mirrors the black border, which both include green batik cornerstones at areas of intersection. Each of the blocks are set on point, and four half and four quarter blocks complete the piece.

The creator of the quilt, Viola Canady, used quilting to build community. She founded the Daughters of Dorcas and Sons, a Washington, DC quilting guild that taught and shared a love of quilting in local schools, hospitals, and civic centers.