The Hands That Came Before

Quilting runs through my bloodline. My grandmother hands knew the rhythm of needle and thread. My aunt, a quilter. My cousins, quilters. grandmother's. My family has been creating beauty and warmth for our family long before I understood the weight of that gift. I learned that quilts aren't just fabric stitched together - they're stories, memories, and love made tangible. Every quilt that leaves my studio carries that legacy forward, honoring the women who came before me and the traditions they preserved through their craft.

My Journey

For more than 20 years, I've stood in front of classrooms teaching history. I've dedicated my career to helping young people -understand their history, claim their power, and see themselves in the stories we tell.

A year ago, I launched Soulfull Hands as a way to extend that same mission beyond the classroom. Through quilting, I found another way to educate, to celebrate underrepresented cultures, and to create something beautiful that connects past to present. Every quilt I make is both art and education - a tangible piece of heritage that someone can wrap themselves in.

Cultural Intentionality

At Soulfull Hands, nothing is random. Every fabric choice, every symbol, every color combination carries meaning. I work primarily with African textiles such as Kente, Adire/Bogolanfini, Aso Oke, Shweshwe and Batik. I incorporate African symbols and themes (both historical and modern day) that honor African traditions - because I believe in the power of representation and the importance of celebrating our cultural heritage.

I want to tell the stories of unity, resilience, resistance, wisdom, spirituality and identity. When I incorporate these symbols into my quilts, I'm not just creating something beautiful. I'm preserving knowledge, celebrating culture, and giving people a way to connect with their heritage every single day.

This is what I mean when I say every stitch tells a story. These aren't just quilts - they're cultural education you can hold in your hands.

Beyond the Quilts

My work as a teacher and my work as a quilter aren't separate - they're deeply intertwined. In both spaces, I'm asking the same question: How do we honor the past while creating something meaningful for the future? Whether I'm helping a student understand the brilliance of Sojourner Truth or designing a quilt that celebrates African wisdom traditions, I'm doing the work of preservation and empowerment.

Every quilt from Soulfullhands carries intention, heritage, and love. Let's create something meaningful together.

Quilts made by my family

created by Anjean Carter,

hand quilted