Cotton Bed Quilt c. 1941

Elgin Moncure Styll made this cotton bed quilt with humble materials, yet look at what they managed to make! I see geometric shapes in earthy reds, browns, and blues, pieced together with such care. I can imagine Elgin carefully selecting each scrap of fabric, considering its color, pattern, and texture, almost like dabs of paint. Each stitch must have been so meditative. I wonder what Elgin was thinking about while quilting this piece. Maybe she was thinking about her family, her community, or the world around her. Quilting isn't just a craft; it's a form of storytelling, a way of preserving memories and experiences. Artists have always drawn inspiration from the world around them, responding to the materials and techniques available to them. Elgin's quilt reminds me that art can be found in the most unexpected places and made with the simplest of tools. And that it is about the process as much as the finished piece.