African-American quilts: once considered crude and utilitarian, quilts made by African Americans...

Like much of African-American design, African-American quilts have been around for generations, but it has only been relatively recently that they have been considered collectible works of art. Made by black women using traditional techniques and from patterns memorized and shared among quilters, these coverlets--once considered crude and utilitarian--are now appreciated for their unique and powerful beauty.

The transformation in thinking about African-American quilts has come slowly, and for many, including some of the black quilters themselves, it is still a surprise.