HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – In a library in a Denver suburb, Christina Marriott, a 46-year-old schoolteacher, held up a piece of fabric. It was crookedly cut, and she was contemplating the best way to stitch it into a quilt destined for the halls of Congress. The white square of cloth, about to be incorporated into a larger piece displaying potent political messages, presented a challenge. Its ragged edges didn’t neatly align with the other pieces waiting to be joined.
"The perfect union comes from imperfect people, right?" Marriott mused aloud, surrounded by a small group of women, each wielding fabric markers. The atmosphere was one of quiet determination, of purpose found in the simple act of stitching.
Across the country, hundreds of women – and a few men – are participating in a unique form of civic engagement. Stitch by stitch, square by square, they are crafting handmade quilts, each one a tapestry of bipartisan political messages, urging members of Congress to more effectively exercise their power as an equal branch of government.
This endeavor, known as "Peace by Piece," is sponsored by Mormon Women for Ethical Government and the Jewish Partnership for Democracy. These organizations have been hosting "quilt-ins" in communities across the nation, providing a space for individuals to come together and contribute their voices to a collective statement. The culmination of this effort will be the delivery of these fabric messages to Congress on May 9th. Prior to that, on May 6th, organizers are holding a large quilt-in near the U.S. Capitol, aiming to amplify their message in the heart of Washington D.C.
While the initiative isn’t overtly targeted at President Donald Trump, the underlying messages woven into the quilts reflect a broad concern over the current trajectory of the country. The messages, penned in bold strokes on the fabric squares, speak volumes about the anxieties felt by many.
Examples of the sentiments being expressed include: "Separation of powers defends liberty and democracy," and "The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution." These phrases, simple yet profound, highlight a deep-seated worry about the erosion of democratic principles. The timing of the quilt-ins is particularly poignant, given that in a "Meet the Press" interview aired on May 4th, President Trump expressed uncertainty about whether he is required to uphold the Constitution.
On a recent Saturday at the Denver-area library, dozens of women filtered through the multipurpose room, each one adding their personal touch to the project. They wrote messages with markers on the white fabric squares, infusing each piece with their individual perspectives and hopes. Organizers, including Jillaire McMillan, carefully stitched these squares into larger quilt blocks, gradually building a powerful visual representation of collective concern.
McMillan explained that her motivation for joining the "Peace by Piece" effort stemmed from a feeling that the rapid pace of change emanating from the White House was outpacing Congress’s ability to fulfill its Constitutionally mandated role. She felt compelled to act, to find a way to contribute to a more balanced and accountable government.
The organizers have successfully held quilt-ins in 30 states, an impressive feat that speaks to the widespread appeal of the initiative. The act of quilting itself evokes the image of repurposing scraps of otherwise unwanted fabric into something beautiful and valuable, a metaphor for the power of collective action.
"We want to join a lot of little voices because alone it’s hard to feel like you’re making a difference," McMillan emphasized. "It’s about doing something unique but also historical. There’s a long history of women quilting as a form of activism."
Indeed, American women have a long and rich tradition of using quilts to send messages to lawmakers, a testament to the power of this seemingly simple craft. From abolitionists and suffragettes to those raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic, quilts have served as a visual medium for expressing political beliefs and advocating for social change.
The Smithsonian’s National Quilt Collection, containing approximately 500 historically significant quilts, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of this form of activism. The collection encompasses quilts from various ethnic groups and social classes, highlighting the universality of quilting as a form of expression and heritage.
According to the Smithsonian, "quilts are not the domain of a specific race or class, but can be a part of anyone’s heritage and treasured as such." Whether crafted from rich or humble fabrics, large or small, expertly sewn or simply pieced together, well-worn or pristine, the quilts in the National Quilt Collection provide a textile narrative that contributes to America’s complex and diverse history.
Back at the Denver-area quilt-in, Marriott’s iron hissed as she smoothed each cut piece of fabric, preparing it for participants like sisters Kate Waters, 56, and Carol Summers, 52. The sisters had learned about the quilt-in through social media and felt a strong desire to participate.
"I have felt as I get older that women’s voices matter less and less," Waters shared, expressing a sentiment that resonated with many of the women in the room. "That’s scary."
Waters and Summers, who learned to sew from their grandmother and mother, viewed the "Peace by Piece" initiative as a constructive and meaningful way to engage in the political process.
"I have felt helpless, and I felt like I needed to do something," said Summers, a middle-school teacher. "This is something positive, to share a message." The act of quilting, of contributing to a tangible expression of their beliefs, offered them a sense of agency and hope in a time of uncertainty. It was a way to channel their anxieties into something beautiful and meaningful, a message of peace and a call for ethical government, stitched together with care and conviction.
