Customer Reviews

Crafted Lives: Stories and Studies of African American Quilters

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Folklorist Pat Turner has written a richly detailed account of the lives and quilts of nine African American Quilters of various ages and backgrounds. In doing so, she proves that there is no such thing as "the African American quilt". Instead, we are introduced to a complex spectrum of aesthetic expression. One of the most fascinating and troubling issues presented by Turner is that of the Gee's Bend quilters and their exploitation by unscrupulous art world dealers and curators. This is a must-read for anyone interested in issues of equity and social justice. I highly recommend this book to scholars, quilters, and anyone interested in the history of culture of the quilt.

"Crafted Lives" by Patricia A. Turner is a good read on many levels. The way she describes her nine quilters is sensitive and respectful at all times. As a white quilter, and current owner of my Portuguese grandmother's Double Wedding Ring quilt, it was heart-warming and extremely informative, to read the stories (and "back" stories) of these black quilters. I would be honored to be included in their community of "sistah quilters". Those of us who design and make quilts for our families and others to use needed a book like Turner's to teach us that we should consider ourselves artists - at least to some degree. You will enjoy "Crafted Lives".