"The work you and your mother have created is exactly the kind of intergenerational, culturally grounded storytelling that brings history to life in deeply personal and community-centered ways. It’s inspiring. And it has been an honor to be part of the process."
- Aaron Butler, Bookbutler Publishing Company
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
"This is a source of pride for the entire Afro-descendant community that a woman of such advanced age has in her soul the desire to continue fighting to bring knowledge to future generations."
- Teo Jolly, Panama City, Panama
"Mrs. Edmunds presented A Life in Stitches ... the audience stood in awe...."
- Deloris Crews, Ballou Recreation Center, City of Danville, Virginia, USA
"She has a profound message and she has decided to serve, to understand and make transparent the difficulties and challenges of history." - Anna-Greta Liimatainen, Helsinki, Finland
In the darkness of the mid-1800s, enslaved people risked everything to escape bondage, relying on a clandestine network known as the Underground Railroad. African American quilters, often women, stitched coded messages into quilts—using patterns like the Wagon Wheel, Flying Geese, and Log Cabin—to guide freedom seekers along their perilous journey north. These patterns, passed quietly among trusted hands, became silent signals of hope and direction, helping those fleeing slavery recognize safe houses, the right time to move, or when to wait.
Edith Edmunds made her first quilt with her twin sister Earle at just seven years old, using a treadle sewing machine—a family heirloom symbolizing the resilience and resourcefulness of Black women. It was only later, in adulthood, that she learned of the secret language embedded in quilt squares and the ingenious ways enslaved African Americans used everyday objects to outwit slave catchers and reclaim their destinies.
Today, in her solo performance A Life in Stitches, Edith breathes life into a history that once lived only in whispers and history books. She captivates audiences by weaving her own childhood memories with the broader African American experience—connecting the geometry of quilt blocks to the artistry and problem-solving spirit that fueled the quest for freedom. Through her storytelling, she honors the creativity, courage, and unity that defined generations of African Americans.
Her book, Secret Stitches: Underground Railroad Activity Book for Children and Adults, brings this rich history to life for new generations. By integrating geometry and historical symbols, Edith creates a unique learning experience that celebrates African American heritage and the indomitable will to be free. She uses nine classic quilt patterns to teach about triangles, rectangles, squares, and parallelograms, all within the powerful context of the Civil War and the fight for emancipation.
As part of Juneteenth 2025 celebrations, National Public Radio featured Edith Edmunds, sharing her story and the stories of those who, through creativity and courage, transformed quilts into beacons of hope for enslaved people seeking freedom.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
eyedmunds@gmail.com or 843.655.2835