Interview with Roy Mitchell, Jr., December 29, 2008

Interview Summary

Roy Mitchell, Jr. says that he is a collector of Black memorabilia. As he studied Black culture, he began to wonder why Black people were always negatively correlated with watermelon. In response, Mitchell created the quilt "Watermelun Babies" to portray a more positive linkage between watermelon and Black people. Mitchell says that the "Watermelun Babies" quilt has been used in the National Quilters Association show. He says that the "Watermelun Babies" quilt is traveling to multiple shows, whereas the smaller quilt has been used in school systems to teach kids about negative stigmas and how to make them positive.

Mitchell says that a friend of his introduced him to quilting when he needed to find an outlet for stress relief. His method of stitching is couching, a hand piecing practice. Mitchell gives insight into how he ended up joining the King of Quilts. He describes his quilting studio. Mitchell says he travels to Africa every year and stays for a month. During his first-ever visit, he was fascinated by the African tie-dyeing method called "batik" and was inspired to create his own designs. Learning the technique is the biggest challenge to quilt makers, Mitchell claims. Mitchell says he wants to be remembered for not being afraid of a challenge and being a male quilter in a female-dominated area.

Interview Keyword

Quilts Quilting African American quilts African American quiltmakers "Watermelun Babies" Watermelun Babies (Quilt) Quilt shows/exhibitions Quiltmaking process Quiltmaking classes Kings of Quilts Home studios Africa Double wedding ring quilts Gender roles Gender in quiltmaking

Interview LC Subject

Quilts Quilting Quilting purpose African American quilts African American quiltmakers African Americans--Social conditions Male quiltmakers African American quilts--West African influences

Interview Rights

All rights to the Quilters' S.O.S. -- Save Our Stories (QSOS) oral history project, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred from the Quilt Alliance to the University of Kentucky Libraries. Please contact the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History regarding rights pertaining to individual interviews.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.