Jimi Rodgers

Jimi Rodgers was born and raised in Fresno, California.  Her family migrated to Fresno as part of the great migration when African Americans left the South for other parts of the United States.  Jimi's exposure to textiles started in elementary school where she was exposed to the art of sewing and quilting by her mother.  Her mother was an excellent seamstress and quilter.  Thus the love of both were passed down to her. Since high school, Jimi has designed and made clothes for herself and her family.   Several years later, Jimi added the arts of knitting and crocheting to her skills.  In the Gaines family home, quilts were considered a prize possession and used for utilitarian purposes.  Initially the quilts were made from old clothes, but when Jimi's mother was showing her how to quilt, she was purchasing fabric at the local Five and Dime store.  Jimi like other members of the family assisted her mother in tacking the three layers (backing, cotton batting, top fabric) onto the quilting frame.  Upon the passing of her mother Jimi made a promise to continue the family legacy of sewing and quilting. This meant that Jimi inherited the "Beloved Quilting Frames" that were made by her father.   Jimi's initial goal was to teach others to sew but that didn't take place as a full time career. Instead, she  volunteers to teach others through various educational settings the art of quilting. Throughout her 25 years in education, there was always a quilt hanging above her desk in her office.  Unfortunately, none of Jimi's siblings or children have taken up the art of quilting.  The most important thing is that they love and respect their sister, mother, or grandmother's work of ART.

The art of Quilting and the use of textiles is very special to me.  It allows me to tell the story of my heritage through fabric.  Having researched textiles and quilting, I developed an appreciation for not only the utilitarian uses of quilts but how finally African American are finally being accepted in the world of Quilting.  I am a seamstress and quilt artist using African textiles in various mediums: small and large quilts, clothes, and purses.  My work is machined pieced and machine sewed.  All my work utilizes two of my favorite fabrics, African and Aboriginal.  My preferred choice of fabric depending on the country is designed and made by people from the continent of Africa.  Most of my fabric is from Nigeria and Ghana.  My second favorite fabric is designed by the Indigenous Peoples (Aboriginal) of Australia who can trace their roots back to Africa.  I have found that both fabrics work well by themselves or mixing together.   For many years, my designs were intended to be used on beds.  I have since moved to smaller designs and are reflected on the walls of my family and friends.