Traditional Quilts by Big Wes

June 24, 2025June 24, 2025

Ten Iconic Symbols in African Print Fabric

Ankara, also known as African wax prints, is a vibrant and colorful textile that originated in Indonesia and has become a staple in African fashion. These fabrics are typically made from 100% cotton and feature bold, intricate designs that reflect the culture and traditions of the West African people. Ankara is a powerful form of storytelling, and the symbols featured in the prints are deeply rooted in tradition. They carry messages about strength, unity, wisdom, and community. When I work with African print fabrics, I’m not just choosing colors and patterns, I’m honoring stories.

June 22, 2025

How AI Is Changing Quilt Design

A digital photograph showcases a quilting and tech workspace. A computer monitor displays colorful quilt block designs, with a white sewing machine, fabric swatches, and a Raspberry Pi nearby. Finished quilts hang on the wall in the background.

Quiltmaking has long been an art form rooted in tradition, but today it is also evolving into a space for innovation. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the role of artificial intelligence in quilt design. While quilting remains a profoundly personal and hands-on craft, AI is opening new doors for creativity, enabling quilters to visualize patterns, explore color palettes, and design with greater freedom than ever before.

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025

Why I Started Upcycling T-Shirts into Quilts

Upcycling t-shirts into quilts was not something I planned. It found me. Like many creative paths, it started with a simple idea and grew into something deeper and more meaningful.

June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

Quilting in the Black Community: A Legacy of Love, Resistance, and Creativity

A realistic oil painting of an African American woman in a rustic wooden room, sewing a colorful patchwork quilt by hand. She wears a faded rust-colored dress and a white headscarf, sitting near a window that lets in soft natural light. A fireplace and wooden chair add to the historical atmosphere.

Quilting runs deep in the Black community. Long before I picked up a rotary cutter or fired up a longarm machine, I was surrounded by fabric, faith, and stories stitched into every corner of our homes. Quilts weren’t just blankets. They were history books, acts of resistance, and expressions of love passed from one generation to the next.

May 28, 2025May 28, 2025

The Meaning Behind Popular Quilt Blocks

A photograph captures two elderly women working together to hand sew a colorful patchwork quilt. One is a Black woman with glasses wearing a tan sweater, and the other is a white woman with white hair wearing a light blue shirt. They are sitting at a table near a window in a bright, cozy room.

Quilting isn’t just stitching fabric together. It’s storytelling. Every block, every shape, every fabric choice can hold a deeper meaning, especially in traditional quilts passed down through generations.

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

How Color Theory Shapes Quilt Design

An artistic quilt featuring distinct sections of warm, cool, and high-contrast colors, illustrating different color harmonies. The warm tones of reds, oranges, and yellows convey warmth and energy, while the cool blues, greens, and purples create a calming effect. High-contrast black and white patterns add excitement and movement. The quilt is laid out on a soft fabric surface with gentle lighting, emphasizing the emotional depth of color choices in quilt design.

Color is one of the most powerful tools in quilt design. It dictates mood, balance, and even the emotional impact of a piece. Whether you prefer bold, high-contrast designs or soft, harmonious palettes, understanding color theory can help you create quilts that are both visually striking and deeply meaningful.

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025

Quilts by Big Wes: Upcycling Memories into Comfort

A cozy, handcrafted quilt made from upcycled fabrics draped over a wooden rocking chair near a sunlit window. The quilt features a patchwork of sentimental clothing, including old t-shirts and baby blankets. A modern sewing machine sits on a sturdy wooden table nearby, surrounded by colorful fabric scraps and sewing tools. The warm and inviting atmosphere is highlighted by soft natural lighting, showcasing the textures and colors of the quilt. In the background, a sewing workspace adds to the scene, emphasizing the craftsmanship and care behind quilt-making.

In a world dominated by fast fashion and disposable goods, Quilts by Big Wes offers something deeply personal and sustainable—quilts that carry stories, warmth, and history. I take your cherished fabrics and transform them into unique, handmade quilts that preserve memories while promoting sustainability.

January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

Repurposing Denim: Ideas for a Durable Quilt

Denim quilt made from repurposed jeans, displayed on a rustic wooden bench outdoors. The quilt features a mix of light and dark denim patches in geometric and patchwork patterns, surrounded by lush greenery, evoking a cozy and sustainable aesthetic.

Denim has always been a symbol of durability and style, and there’s no better way to repurpose those well-loved jeans than by turning them into a quilt. As someone who has spent years transforming old clothes into unique and meaningful quilts, I can tell you that denim offers endless possibilities for creating a rugged and stylish piece.

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024

How to Preserve Family Memories Through Quilts

preserving family memories through quilting

Quilts are timeless vessels of warmth and meaning in a world where so much feels disposable. By transforming sentimental clothing into heirloom quilts, you can preserve cherished family memories in a practical, beautiful way. Here’s how you can turn beloved garments into a quilt that tells your family’s story.

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Designing Quilts: Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Quilting is more than just sewing fabric together – it’s storytelling through design. Every quilt holds a narrative shaped by the colors, patterns, and materials used. For me, inspiration often comes from the world around me: the bold lines of architecture, the organic beauty of nature, and the deeply personal memories that shape who I am. Here’s how I tap into these sources of inspiration and how you can, too.