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THE 1929 KELSEY QUILTERS

by 22 additional unsewn blocks, was discovered by the author’s family in the estate of her husband’s aunt in 2018. In tracing the mysterious origins of the quilt—both sewn and unsewn blocks featured the same eight\u002Dpoint star pattern, but with a different name embroidered on each—the narrative puts together lost pieces of both Hamberlin’s extended family history and that of an entire Southern community of families belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter\u002DDay Saints. The quilt, as the author learned, was made by a tight\u002Dknit group of women who lived in the Mormon community of Kelsey, Texas. While now a ghost town, at the turn of the 20th century Kelsey served as a haven for Mormon converts from the religiously oppressive South. (Even after the church banned polygamy, which was used by its opponents as justification for their persecution, its members continued to be met with hostility.) Exploring the lives of the women who worked on the quilt in 1929, this work uncovers a rich history of Kelsey’s town life, from its public school staffed by Mormon missionaries to its stores, farms, and mills built by the faithful. The text is at times hagiographic, written by a believer in the church’s teachings (the study of Kelsey, Hamberlin notes, “has strengthened [her] testimony of [her] Savior and the Atonement”), which may not resonate with those from different faith traditions. The study nevertheless draws on an impressive array of primary sources—from family oral histories to archival materials—to paint a vibrant portrait of life in Kelsey from the perspective of its women. Supplemented by a wealth of photographs, this is an accessible, engaging local history."

Book Details

Publisher:Exploring the lives of the women who worked on the quilt in
Published:1929-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781964804

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This historical novel transports readers to the heart of the Great Depression, following a determined group of women in a small town who turn to quilting as a means of survival and solidarity. The na...

Our Review

This historical novel transports readers to the heart of the Great Depression, following a determined group of women in a small town who turn to quilting as a means of survival and solidarity. The narrative deftly weaves together themes of female friendship, economic hardship, and the quiet power of community art, creating a rich tapestry of resilience against a stark historical backdrop. Young adult readers will be drawn into the intimate details of the quilting process, which becomes a powerful metaphor for piecing together lives fractured by financial collapse.

What sets this story apart is its unflinching yet hopeful portrayal of ordinary women finding extraordinary strength through collective action. The author skillfully balances the grim realities of the era with moments of warmth and human connection, making the historical setting feel immediate and relatable. Teen readers interested in untold stories of women's history and the social fabric of the 1930s will find this a compelling and emotionally resonant read that lingers long after the final page.

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