The Story Quilts of Yvonne Wells and How University of Alabama Press #StepsUP

At the University of Alabama Press, we believe our work shines brightest when it connects readers with inspiring and authentic voices that shed light across the landscape of history and the human experience. This University Press Week, as we reflect on how we #StepUp to help readers navigate the complexities of today’s world, we’re proud to highlight The Story Quilts of Yvonne Thomas Wells, a compelling volume that honors a self-taught artist who turned scraps and stitches into a powerful tapestry of American life.

Beginning her quilting journey nearly four decades ago, Tuscaloosa native Wells pursued a deeply personal vision of storytelling—a way to tell stories that are personal yet resonate broadly, rooted in her lived experiences and her reflections on Southern culture, African American history, and the Civil Rights Movement. Her quilts, boldly stitched with appliqué figures and unconventional materials, vividly document her life’s journey and the collective history of America itself.

For University Press Week’s theme—how our press #StepsUP to offer solutions to global challenges and give context to current issues—we recognize how Wells’s quilts invite readers to grapple with these ideals. Her work offers invaluable context to the enduring legacies of resistance, resilience, and community within African American history. Wells’s iconic quilt series Yesterday: Civil Rights in the South, which she created in 1989, interweaves the pivotal figures and movements of the Civil Rights Movement, reminding us of the courageous stand taken against systemic injustice. With each hand-stitched piece, Wells scenes of stark brutality—a bold juxtaposition that makes these moments unforgettably real and resonant.

The story of The Story Quilts of Yvonne Wells is not only one of artistry but of collaboration. Our director, JD Wilson, envisioned celebrating Wells’s impact beyond the page. On November 10, 2024, he joined Wells and her collaborator, author Stacy I. Morgan, for a special gathering at Wells’s church, where she spoke about her art, inspirations, and her unique approach to materials: “I don’t buy fabric for my quilts,” Wells shared. “I only use scraps and leftovers. We all sometimes feel like scraps and leftovers, but even if you feel like a scrap, God can make something beautiful of your life.” Her words reflect a message of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of creativity—qualities that lie at the heart of our publishing mission.

As a university press, we’re committed to amplifying voices like Wells’s that deepen our understanding of the world and inspire meaningful conversations. Her quilts bear witness to history, to remember and reflect, and, ultimately, to move forward with purpose. The Story Quilts of Yvonne Wells exemplifies how our press #StepsUp to foster dialogue around the stories and histories that shape us, honoring the past while empowering the present.

This University Press Week, we celebrate Yvonne Wells—a creator who stepped up with needle and thread to capture the American story in all its complexities—and our press’s commitment to bringing these vital voices and perspectives into the world.