Michael A. Cummings, Satin Doll, 2005

Fabrics used cottons, satin, silk, rayon, textile paint, photo transfer and African prints…machine sewn and constructed using the applique method.
Size 84″ x 84″.

My title is borrowed from Duke Ellington’s song with same title, referring to a beautiful black woman. In my quilt she personifies all my favorite African American jazz singers. I attempted to write some of their names of the borders of quilt. On top and bottom, I have written names of clubs that they would have performed in Harlem…during the heyday of Jazz. She is wearing a sequin dress that I found in yard sale.

Michael A. Cummings