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