Roy Mitchell, Jr.
Photos
Title
Roy Mitchell, Jr.
Description
Roy Mitchell, Jr. says that he is a collector of Black memorabilia. As he studied Black culture, he began to wonder why Black people were always negatively correlated with watermelon. In response, Mitchell created the quilt "Watermelun Babies" to portray a more positive linkage between watermelon and Black people. Mitchell says that the "Watermelun Babies" quilt has been used in the National Quilters Association show. He says that the "Watermelun Babies" quilt is traveling to multiple shows, whereas the smaller quilt has been used in school systems to teach kids about negative stigmas and how to make them positive.
Mitchell says that a friend of his introduced him to quilting when he needed to find an outlet for stress relief. His method of stitching is couching, a hand piecing practice. Mitchell gives insight into how he ended up joining the King of Quilts. He describes his quilting studio. Mitchell says he travels to Africa every year and stays for a month. During his first-ever visit, he was fascinated by the African tie-dyeing method called "batik" and was inspired to create his own designs. Learning the technique is the biggest challenge to quilt makers, Mitchell claims. Mitchell says he wants to be remembered for not being afraid of a challenge and being a male quilter in a female-dominated area.
Mitchell says that a friend of his introduced him to quilting when he needed to find an outlet for stress relief. His method of stitching is couching, a hand piecing practice. Mitchell gives insight into how he ended up joining the King of Quilts. He describes his quilting studio. Mitchell says he travels to Africa every year and stays for a month. During his first-ever visit, he was fascinated by the African tie-dyeing method called "batik" and was inspired to create his own designs. Learning the technique is the biggest challenge to quilt makers, Mitchell claims. Mitchell says he wants to be remembered for not being afraid of a challenge and being a male quilter in a female-dominated area.
Identifier
2019oh0700_qsosking0001
VA22191-001
VA22191-001
Subject
Quilts
Quilting
Quilting purpose
African American quilts
African American quiltmakers
African Americans--Social conditions
Male quiltmakers
African American quilts--West African influences
Interviewee
Roy Mitchell, Jr.
Interviewer
Karen Musgrave
Interview sponsor
Nancy O'Bryant Puentes
Location
Woodbridge, Virginia
Interview indexer
Interview indexed by Ta'mya Ross with the support of the Virginia Quilt Museum
Transcriber
Kim Greene
Interview Keyword
Quilts
Quilting
African American quilts
African American quiltmakers
"Watermelun Babies"
Watermelun Babies (Quilt)
Quilt shows/exhibitions
Quiltmaking process
Quiltmaking classes
Kings of Quilts
Home studios
Africa
Double wedding ring quilts
Gender roles
Gender in quiltmaking
Sort Priority
1
Citation
“Roy Mitchell, Jr.,” Quilters' S.O.S. -- Save Our Stories, accessed September 21, 2023, https://qsos.quiltalliance.org/items/show/2643.