Home economists like the two women here influenced the trajectory of quiltmaking in the 20th century. In the brand new federally funded school in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, girls working as part of the National Youth Administration (the young people’s division of the WPA) learned to use sewing machines. Decades later, women from this community received fame for the quilts they made throughout the 20th century, perhaps using skills developed with the assistance of home economists.

[Full title: "Thelma Shamburg and Mrs. Spragg (or Sprague), NYA (National Youth Administration) state supervisor, helping Catherine Plumer and Sallie Titus at sewing machines in school economics room"]