PROJECT HISTORY
In 2015, Bib & Tucker Sew-Op partnered with UAB’s Department of Art & Art History and the Birmingham Museum of Art to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches through open sewing sessions that yielded 461 quilt blocks. Sew-Op members stitched the blocks together and made three quilts which hung at the Selma Public Library and the Alabama Department of Arc
hives in Montgomery during the anniversary. Due to the strong response to the project, collaborators agreed that it should become an annual project. Each year, a relevant civil or human rights theme will be chosen and Bib & Tucker members will facilitate open sewing sessions and discussion surrounding the topic. Community members will have a chance to create a block that expresses a personal experience with the theme. Bib & Tucker members will stitch the blocks into quilts that will be exhibited in March in tandem with a relevant anniversary or day of recognition. YEAR 2: GENDER WAGE GAP
Project collaborators have chosen pay equity as the 2nd annual March Quilts theme. On average, a Caucasian woman makes approximately 79 cents for every dollar paid to her male counterpart. The gap is even worse for women of color - African American women earn approximately 64 cents and Latina women earn only 55 cents for each dollar earned by Caucasian males. Despite President Kennedy’s Equal Pay Act of 1963 and President Obama’s Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, equality in the US workforce continues to be unattainable. Because this issue remains contentious, project collaborators seek to create dialogue among community members in the hopes of shedding light on other aspects of the fight for equality, such as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). HOW TO MAKE A QUILT BLOCK
Making a quilt block is a fun, simple process and no sewing experience is necessary. Your block may embody any representation of the Gender Wage Gap through images, symbols or words. If you need guidance or inspiration, peruse THE MARCH QUILTS image bank. Once you decide on an idea, select a 7” square of fabric and compose your block, making sure to leave a quarter inch border as seam allowance. You may appliqué, embroider, or draw your design. Facilitators are available to help guide you through the process.