Overall Sam and Quilting Bees

During the Great Depression, photographers sent out to document life across the United States often returned with images of quilters stitching together. The theme of “Stronger Together” resonated throughout the relief efforts of the era, and quilting became a powerful symbol of this collective spirit. People gathered to create quilts not only out of necessity but also as a way to support one another—sharing time, materials, and stories.

Even today, stitching with friends—whether around a guild table or at a quilting retreat—remains a meaningful way to build community and share life’s challenges.