Stitching Art Memory Quilts (5 Sessions)

Stitching Art Memory Quilts (5 Sessions)

Adult Class | Available

10/19/2026-11/16/2026
1:00 PM-4:00 PM EDT on Mon
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$205.00
$185.00
$40.00

Stitching Art Memory Quilts (5 Sessions)

Adult Class | Available

This class is designed to guide students in creating a meaningful quilt that may be passed for generations. Each student will choose a subject such as a family member, famous person, event, or personal experience and translate that memory into a quilt, evoking story and emotion. Using both the instructor's and student's stash of fabric, floss, buttons, old jewelry and thread. The class will work through the design process to create an original work of fiber art. Elements may include words, embellishments, stitching, and appliqué, with photographs submitted by students and transferred to fabric by the instructor. Photographs are due prior to class. Students will want to work on quilts between class once they get started.  

Students will explore hand-sewn quilting and embroidery techniques to add dimension, texture, and will learn how to finished their art quilt. The class focuses primarily on hand stitching, though students may choose to use a sewing machine. Participants may bring a familiar portable sewing machine or request one for use during the session. Some knowledge of sewing or embroidery is helpful but not required.

What You Will Learn:
- How to assemble a quilt
- How to plan out a design to be pieced
- How to layer fabrics for quilting
- How to quilt by using embroidery stitched
- How to bind a quilt, add a sleeve and label for display.

  • The following is a list of suggested materials. Please bring a few items to start the class with; the instructor will provide further guidance during the first session.

    - 3-5 photographs to be incorporate into your quilt (the photos will need to fit on a single sheet of 8.5" x 11" printable fabric paper)
    - Needles (chenille with large eye for embroidery and regular sewing)
    - Needle threader (optional)
    - Quilter Sewing Kit (scissors, straight pins, quilting pins or large safety pins, thread (various colors to complement fabric), thimble, seam ripper, pin cushion, needle threader, and a pin cushion
    - Pearl cotton or embroidery floss to complement fabrics
    - Fabric scraps from stash from previous projects (old clothing, etc.)
    - Several ¼ yard or fat quarters of themed fabrics (ex: fabrics with sewing machine, thread, needles, scissors for a seamstress)
    - 1-yard of fabric for backing (not needed for the first class)
    - Embellishments - lace, beads, buttons, ribbon, jewelry, found objects


    Sewing machines are welcome, but not required. You can bring your own or use one of Fleisher's during class.

Gloria Davis

Gloria Gammage Davis is a mixed-media artist who first recognized her artistic abilities in elementary school. She was inspired by carving a lamb from a bar of soap and by observing her seamstress aunts as they created clothing. As she made doll clothes alongside them, they shared sewing tips and techniques, nurturing what would become her first artistic skill. This early encouragement sparked a lifelong desire to explore a wide range of artistic techniques and ultimately led her to earn a BFA from Cheyney University.

During this time, Davis also studied at institutions such as Fleisher Art Memorial and Schuylkill Academy and trained with master artists. Art was—and continues to be—her therapy. As an educator, she encourages students to create work that inspires continued engagement long after class has ended.

Her story quilts, created with scrap fabrics, photographic images, found objects, and embroidery, have been published in We Are the Story, Black Pioneers, The Calling, and As Long As I Have Breath in My Body. Her work has been exhibited at the African American Museum in Detroit, Philadelphia City Hall, North Carolina City Hall, the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, the Textile Center, the James Museum, the Colored Girls Museum, Moody Gallery, and other venues. She has participated in several recent solo and group exhibitions and has been featured by ABC News, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Germantown Courier, and Wolf Nation.

As a dedicated teaching artist, Davis has taught at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Johnson House, Wynnefield Residents Association, the Nile Swim Club, Germantown Friends School, Emelen Elementary School, Fleisher Art Memorial, and Peters Valley School of Craft.