| Quilts are colorful bed coverings made by | | | | thousands of black quiltmakers working at the |
| sewing together pieces of cloth into | | | | craft over two centuries. What should one |
| different designs. Quilts were more than warm | | | | think of African-American quilts, made over |
| protection against cold winters. Quilt making | | | | such a long period of time that did not |
| provided women with an important form of | | | | conform to the aesthetics-based |
| creative expression and invention. Quilts | | | | identification. The casual answer that |
| frequently celebrate birthdays, graduations, | | | | African-American quilts not in compliance |
| weddings, anniversaries, and retirements and | | | | with the criteria were simply copies of |
| a number of the winning entries commemorate | | | | white-made, traditional Euro-American quilts |
| such events. Quilters come together at | | | | was unacceptable. More and more questions |
| quilting bees to work on coverings together | | | | about African-American quilts emerged as |
| and to enjoy socializing. | | | | quilt historians realized that findings |
| | | | gathered in these early studies of black-mad |
| Design | | | | quilts had been extrapolated far beyond what |
| | | | the evidence would legitimately support. |
| Many quilts are made with decorative | | | | Further research began to place |
| designs;, some quilts are not used as bed | | | | African-American quilts in the larger context |
| covering at all, but are rather made to be | | | | of black history. |
| hung on a wall or otherwise displayed. Crazy | | | | |
| quilts are a popular form of quilt design. | | | | Making |
| The stitches can be made in such a way as to | | | | |
| form detailed patterns or designs on the | | | | Quilt making provided women with an important |
| quilt. Patchwork quilts are made from many | | | | form of creative expression and invention. |
| pieces of different colored fabrics that have | | | | While quilters have many tools and techniques |
| been sewn together, or "pieced," in a design. | | | | to choose from to facilitate the process, the |
| A quilter can also sew different pieces of | | | | truth is that making a quilt, particularly a |
| fabric onto the top of the quilt to form | | | | prize-winning quilt, takes time and personal |
| designs. Quilts designed to be used as bed | | | | commitment. Some had done other kinds of |
| coverings should exceed standard mattress | | | | sewing and needlework, and they found quilt |
| size by a minimum of 20 inches on the width | | | | making a natural extension of their skills. |
| and length. | | | | Others learned from church groups making |
| | | | quilts for charity. Quilting in early America |
| American | | | | was far different than it is now. |
| | | | |
| Brightly colored quilts are made in virtually | | | | History |
| every American community, and they are | | | | |
| proudly displayed in homes as well as in | | | | Through history, cultures around the world |
| museums throughout the nation. Why, after | | | | have created quilted coverings and clothing. |
| many years of near invisibility, have | | | | The study into quilt history is a rapidly |
| African-American quilts become so engrossing | | | | growing area of research in American history: |
| to art historians, folklorists, ethnologists | | | | the important role women played in our |
| and quilt historians. African Americans have | | | | history; domestic life in the 18th-20 |
| made quilts in this land continuously from | | | | centuries; development of the textile |
| the late 18th century, yet their work is | | | | industry in the Asia, India, Europe and |
| conspicuously absent from the many published | | | | America; the purpose for making quilts; their |
| accounts of American quilt history. Several | | | | pattern and style development over time; |
| factors, products of the times, form the | | | | current reproduction fabrics; and last but |
| basis of the current explorations of | | | | not least, dating a quilt or a single piece |
| African-American quilts. High drama was | | | | of fabric by its dyes and the method used to |
| associated with early research on | | | | print it. Quilts also reflect social history, |
| African-American quilts. Most exciting of all | | | | such as the westward expansion, pioneering on |
| was a linkage between black American quilts | | | | the Plains, wars, political and religious |
| and African design traditions believed to | | | | campaigns and symbols, working women, |
| indicate an unconscious cultural memory in | | | | interior design through time and more. It is |
| the quiltmakers of their faraway motherland. | | | | a wonderful way to learn about history. |
| African-American quilts became one of | | | | |
| America's newest forms of exotica. Visual | | | | Conclusion |
| criteria for recognizing African-American | | | | |
| quilts (stitch length, asymmetrical | | | | It is clear from these responses and the |
| organization of quilt patches, size of | | | | original essays, that the process of making |
| patches, frequent use of bright colors) were | | | | and sharing a quilt can achieve many |
| devised. One needed only apply the recently | | | | purposes, reflect many and complex meanings |
| created visual criteria to identify with | | | | and relationships, and warm and comfort the |
| certainty quilts of African-American origin. | | | | spirit as well as the body. But I am only one |
| How could this small sample of | | | | of countless many to find inspiration, |
| late-20th-century African-American quilts | | | | comfort, warmth, and sustenance in the |
| represent in its entirety the contribution of | | | | beauty, history, and folklore of quilts. |