Tatted-up inmates. Forgotten children. And a stack of Disney-print fabric.
Men serving life in a Missouri prison sew quilts for autistic and foster kids? That’s not a setup from “The Onion”—that’s “The Quilters”.
“The Quilters” ranks #15 on my list of “The Best Prison Documnentaries” (which is up to 31 now!).
Thanks to Jason Kottke for putting this one on my radar.
Trailer for “The Quilters”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Jimmy Williams, convicted of murder and serving two life terms, became a master quilter known for his “Quillows”—quilts that fold into pillows—for immigrant kids. He passed away in 2023, having dedicated his final years to this work.
Watch “The Quilters”
You can watch “The Quilters” on Netflix here.
Check JustWatch for other streaming options.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: na (Users); na (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Jenifer McShane, who also made “Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops”. She’s got a gift for showing empathy and transformation in overlooked places.
Release Date
Released in early 2024. Runtime: 33 minutes.
My Review of “The Quilters”
The Setup
Inside a small sewing room at South Central Correctional Center, several inmates find peace and purpose sewing personalized quilts for foster kids.
These aren’t basic blankets—they’re often weighted (for autistic children) and designed around a child’s personality, interests, or life story. Most of the men are serving life sentences.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The sewing room is a sanctuary. Inmates say they lose the prison mentality when they’re stitching—one man says, “When I do this, I don’t even be in here.”
- The quilting is collaborative. They help each other fix mistakes and meet deadlines, forming a community that’s rare inside prison walls.
- The program is tied to the Restorative Justice Organization (RJO). Many of the men say they relate to the kids receiving the quilts—having faced similar childhood traumas themselves.
- Ricky Sanders, who had no interest in prison programs, became a leader in the sewing room—now he mentors others and sends photos of each quilt to his elderly mother.
- Seeing pictures of the children with their quilts gives the men deep emotional payoff—and for some, it’s the most meaningful connection they’ve felt in decades.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- These quilts are often treasured as the first thing the child truly owns. Each quilt is photographed and sometimes sent with a personal note to the child.
- One inmate started sewing during the pandemic when the prison needed masks—his hobby turned into a legacy project.
- The prison staff are featured too—some support the program and see it as a behavior changer, others remain skeptical but acknowledge the results.
Wrap Up
“The Quilters” is about more than stitching fabric—it’s about stitching humanity back together. A must-watch if you care about restorative justice or creative redemption stories.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc