African American Texas Scrappy Quilts

The human ability to imagine and then create never seems to run out of energy, though "critiques" may argue from era to era what it all means in their particular decade/era.

I never took Art History in college and that was my loss. But the art of quiltmaking soon opened my eyes and helped me see how narrow my vision was. How I have loved swimming in its stimulating waters for 30 years.

Here is a series of quilt photos I have saved from my eBay browsing over the past 3 years. All are said to have been made by African Americans in Texas with the possible exception of the first one. It is from another southern State but is said to be made by an African American.

I love them all, though I admit, one after the other of such "busy" quilts may feel a bit overwhelming to some viewers. It takes a while to figure out where the eye may rest.  But like jazz, they keep your toe tapping the whole song!

In some instances I have given the quilt a name myself because the seller didn't given it a specific title.

At the end of this post I am going to give you random websites to visit.  Have fun exploring!   Three cheers for color and life and creativity!

Apples and Oranges (above) 

 "Apples and Oranges" was offered by DeltaQuilts in October 2009 for $2650.00

(Be sure to click on each photo to enlarge it.)

Brick Wall - 66x90 - 1940s 
(sabinemoon-eBay)

Circle of Life - 82x68 (sabinemoon-eBay)

Circle of Life - detail

Hole in the Barn Door - 78x78

Hole in the Barn Door - detail

Housetop Log - 78x68 - 1960s (eBay Oct09)

Log Cabin Blues - 82x68

Log Cabin Dance - 82x68

Pineapple-Pine Burr - 78x68

Popping Pinwheels - 78x68

Princess Feather variation

Not a scrap quilt but I had to throw in at least one applique.

Rolling Stone-variation - 78x64

Spider Web - 78x68

Stained Glass Window  86x70

Now for some websites to explore;

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/quilting-jazz-with-a-needle-and-thread/

http://daintytime.net/2011/05/09/what-is-improv-quilting/

http://thelongthread.com/?p=9856

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2012/05/counterpane-quilts-echo-park-artwalk-.html

http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2011/04/non-pattern-pattern-creative-exercise.html

http://www.fwdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14694:Many-techniques-for-working-with-fiber-inspire-area-artists&catid=174:features&Itemid=9

(above link) Many techniques for working with fiber inspire area artists

Fort Wayne, IN

By Kathryn Bassett kathrynb@kpcnews.net

Sunday, October 16, 2011, 7:35am

http://jeanrepair.blogspot.com/ - An easy, free place, to explore and resource all things related to maintaining, renewing and re-cycling, old, worn jeans

http://www.denimu.com/page11.htm

A British artist, Denimu, who lives in Sweden, uses the beautiful, intrinsic qualities of denim, to express his thoughts and visions of the world.