Interview with Joyce B. Nixon, October 26, 2004

Partial Transcript: Today is October 26, 2004. We are interviewing Joyce B. Nixon; number [DC] 20002-006 at the Daughters of Dorcas Meeting, Northeast D.C. This is Evelyn Salinger, interviewer. It is 12:00 noon. Hi, Joyce.

Segment Synopsis: Nixon and Salinger discuss her blue and white touchstone quilt. Nixon typically uses more color in her quilts, but she decided to only use two colors for this pattern. Nixon is not sure what the pattern is, but Salinger thinks and Nixon agrees that it resembles a Double Irish Chain pattern. Nixon machine pieced the blocks. She set the quilt aside for four or five years, because she was not sure how she wanted to quilt it. She then decided to outsource the quilting, which was done by machine. This is the first quilt that she's made that has been machine quilted. Usually, she does her own quilting by hand. Nixon made the quilt for herself and plans to keep it.

Keywords: Double Irish Chain - quilt pattern; Machine piecing; Machine quilting; Techniques

Subjects: African American quiltmakers; Quiltmakers--United States

Partial Transcript: Um, I would like to know, what are some of your earliest memories of quilts and quilting?

Segment Synopsis: In roughly 1982, Selma Lee asked Nixon if she wanted to learn how to quilt. Nixon always wanted to sew in sewing and had previously taken sewing classes. She was excited to quilt, because she though it sounded even better than sewing. Lee gave Nixon the fabric for her first quilt and helped her with some of the steps. About a month later, Lee learned about the Daughters of Dorcas, and they both joined the quilt group. Nixon likes hand quilting and machine piecing. She has a quilt at the Sumner School exhibit, which she learned how to make it during a class.

Keywords: Daughters of Dorcas; Hand quilting; Learning quiltmaking; Machine piecing; Quilt guild; Quilt memory; Quilt shows/exhibitions; Selma Lee; Sewing; Stained glass quilts; Techniques

Subjects: Charles Sumner School (Washington, D.C.)

Partial Transcript: All right, so when did you join the Daughters of Dorcas, then. Was it, right near the beginning when it first formed?

Segment Synopsis: Nixon joined the Daughters of Dorcas in roughly 1983 or 1984. She says that she has learned a lot since joining the group. Other members have shared patterns with Nixon that she has used to make quilts, which she has liked. She has given quilts to her daughter and daughter-in-law. She has sold several quilts, but Nixon only sells them if she feels like someone has a strong interest in a specific quilt.

Keywords: Daughters of Dorcas; Family; Quilt Purpose - Personal income; Quilt guild; Quiltmaking for family; Selling quilts

Partial Transcript: Did you have any sewing skill training as you were growing up, or did you just learn when you came here?

Segment Synopsis: Nixon was not taught to sew while growing up in New Orleans. She did have a next door neighbor who sewed clothing for her own children and for Nixon. Nixon liked watching the neighbor use her sewing machine and decided that she wanted to learn how to sew. Nixon moved to the Washington, DC area in 1945 and worked for the government. Her last job was as a supervisor at the Government Printing Office. She retired in 1981.

Keywords: Louisiana; New Orleans; Sewing; U.S. Government Printing Office

Partial Transcript: You found quilting as something that you like to do.

Segment Synopsis: Nixon became quite interested in quilting after retirement. She spends relatively little time quilting now, but in the past it occupied a lot of her time. Nixon reports that her family is happy about her quilting. Her quilts have been exhibited in Daughters of Dorcas exhibitions, including at the Charles Sumner School. Nixon also had a quilt displayed alongside other Daughters of Dorcas quilts at a playhouse in Maryland. [A note in the transcript says that the quilts were displayed for a performance of the musical "Quilters".]

Keywords: Daughters of Dorcas; Maryland; Quilt shows/exhibitions; “Quilters” (musical)

Subjects: Charles Sumner School (Washington, D.C.)

Partial Transcript: When you go to a quilting show, what do you look for in a quilt? What makes a quilt really good?

Segment Synopsis: When asked what makes a great quilt, Nixon says that "they all are fascinating to me." She does not collect quilts made by other people or keep a record of the quilts she has made. Nixon mentions loaning a quilt to be displayed in a state representative's office. She has since sold that quilt. However, Nixon labels her quilts with her name and the quilt's name.

Keywords: Quilt documentation; Selling quilts; quilt label

Partial Transcript: Do you have any stories or experiences about quilts or quilting, since during the time you've been, quilting?

Segment Synopsis: Nixon made quilt blocks and pillow tops for all her grandchildren. Nixon reports that they were "fascinated," and that both her grandson and her youngest granddaughter enjoyed making them. Nixon helped her grandchildren with their quilting projects, except for the youngest child, who didn't want any help with her quilting. Nixon used to go to public schools to teach quilting to children as part of an outreach project through the Daughters of Dorcas.

Keywords: Family; Teaching quiltmaking; grandchildren

Partial Transcript: Do you have any advice to new quilters, what they should, how they should start?

Segment Synopsis: When asked is she has advice for new quilters, Nixon says that anyone approaching quilting with the same feelings she had as a beginner will continue to quilt, because "it's fascinating." In regards to other crafts, Nixon used to do needlepoint, but she has not done any since she began quilting. She had also made quilted clothing including a vest and jacket. When asked about the meaning of quilting for the American woman, Nixon replies, "Well, I really think it's an art that's beautiful... and when the finished product just makes you feel, like you've accomplished something." Nixon credits Selma Lee with teaching her, rather than being self-taught.

Keywords: Selma Lee; Wearable art