The Texas Observer
Quilts of Color
Laverne Brackens and her family carry on the interwoven legacy of Black quiltmakers in East Texas.
Story by Dalyah Jones / Photos by Montinique Monroe
Lily Mays, daughter of renowned quilter Laverne Brackens, unravels a quilt with the initials of four generations of quilters in the Brackens family. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer
Renowned quilter Laverne Brackens has sold and given away hundreds of quilts and still has more than 300 in her possession. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer
Renowned quilter Laverne Brackens sits in front of one of her early quilts made with silk from Japan. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer
Renowned quilter Laverne Brackens’ bedroom doubles as a sewing workshop. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer
Renowned quilter Laverne Brackens has sold and given away hundreds of quilts and still has more than 300 in her possession. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer
Renowned quilter Laverne Brackens’ bedroom doubles as a sewing workshop. Montinique Monroe/Texas Observer