Annie Bendolph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Annie Pettway Lewis Bendolph
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Annie Pettway Lewis Bendolph carrying water in Gee's Bend, Alabama, April 1937. Photographed by Arthur Rothstein
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| Born | 1900 |
| Died | 1981 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Quilter |
| Spouse(s) | Jacob Bendolph |
Annie Pettway Lewis Bendolph (born 1900, died 1981) was an American artist. She was famous for her amazing quilts, which she made as part of the Gee's Bend group of quilters. Her beautiful artwork can even be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a famous museum in New York City! Her quilts were given to the museum by the Souls Grown Deep Foundation.
Annie's Early Life
Annie Bendolph's daughter, Bettie Bendolph Seltzer, shared stories about her mother. Bettie said her mom was very strong and caring. "I always wanted to be like my mama—hardworking, having something of my own," Bettie remembered. "She was so independent."
Annie's mother passed away when Annie was very young. Annie had a brother named Timothy Pettway. He was known for singing in gospel choirs in Camden, Alabama, a town nearby. Annie Bendolph married Jacob Bendolph, and together they raised 16 children.
How Annie Made Quilts
Annie Bendolph made her quilts from everyday materials she found around her. She used old clothes and empty sacks. These were practical items, not fancy new fabrics.
Her daughter, Bettie, explained how they made quilts when she was a child:
- "Mama made quilts to keep us warm."
- The women would sew their quilt pieces at home.
- Then, they would visit each other's houses to help with the quilting.
- At first, they used only old clothes, pants, and sacks from fertilizer, meal, or flour.
- They had to beat cotton to make it fluffy for the inside padding of the quilt.
- Their husbands or neighbors would bring cotton from the gin for the ladies to use.
Later on, things changed. Factories started giving away fabric scraps. This meant the quilters could get new materials. This is when the quilts began to look more "up-to-date." Most Gee's Bend quilts were made from recycled materials until the Freedom Quilting Bee brought more resources to their community.
