Loretta Pettway's quilts

Researching for a personal project and became obsessed with the work of Gee’s Bend quilter Loretta Pettway (b. 1942, Alabama) — especially her variations on courthouse steps and bars and blocks made from work clothes.

Pettway was mostly raised by her grandmother, who taught her how to sew. At first, Pettway didn't want to sew because she had so much other work to do — farming, taking care of her disabled brother, and eventually raising her own seven children (her husband was an abusive alcoholic). But it proved useful! And necessary. And eventually, her work was collected by The Met, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and others. In 2006, she said:

"When I see my quilts on that wall in that museum, and all the people come in and look at our work, it just makes me feel good. God has blessed me. And I tell him, ‘Thank you for your many blessings. Continue blessing everybody.’ We all need a blessing.”

Pettway passed away earlier this month. What a life — and what incredible work 💙