About Us:
Marilyn Gordon, after retiring from social work, harbored a desire to share her knowledge of sewing with others. When asked to repeat one of her art to wear designs for sale at York, Alabama’s 1st Rooster Day Celebration, she suggested teaching local displaced garment factory workers to make the dress. The workshop and local interest came to the attention of others interested in economic development in the Black Belt.
With a 3 year volunteer commitment from Marilyn, a capacity building grant from Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, and a donated building from the City of York, The Sewing Project opened its doors March 1, 2003. Any person wanting to learn or improve their sewing skills, make a commitment of time and having a desire to learn were invited to participate. The idea of restructuring jeans was born when an artist friend made the comment he would like to have a jacket made from old jeans.
August 2003, Lillie Mack, joined the project. This is what Lillie has to say. “My journey as an artist and clothing designer started at age 5. My mother made clothes for the family and taught me how to sew. Ilearned to make clothes for my dolls and apparel for myself and my sisters. I also designed and created my gowns for the high school prom. After high school, I worked as a piece-work and floating skills operator at Livingston Apparel and Rob Roy Manufacturing and like my mother, made clothes for my family. In 2000, after 26 years of factory work, I started making quilts and other craft items at home.
I joined Black Belt Designs in August 2003. The first day I came to the project at Black Belt, I realized that all my life I had been someone’s daughter, sister, wife, or mother and now it was time to become ME! It was the first time I had my own identity. The collaborative environment at Black Belt Designs enhanced my artistic vision and technical expertise giving my current work a cool sophistication influenced by my love of classic Asian silhouettes. L.J. Mack Designs is more than a piece of cloth with my name on it; it signifies who I have become.”
Lillie has received awards in area-wide juried Art Shows. 2006 she was listed in southernartistry.org, as well as receiving a Design Arts Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Marilyn
“My unique approach to fabric manipulation developed as a creative response to limited fabric choices during the 1980’s. My large vocabulary of experimental fabric and construction techniques collaged with a progressive color sense ignited my vision as an artist and craftsperson.
The celebration of the empowered individual has been my life’s work and the sum of all my personal and professional experiences came together in York at Black Belt Designs.”
Acknowledgements
This project became a reality because of the vision of the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, as well as many organizations and individuals with an interest in Alabama's Black Belt, including the Alabama State Council on the Arts.This website is made possible with a grant from the Black Belt Community Foundation. Our thanks to all.
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