Mary Margaret Pettway

Ms. Mary Margaret Pettway is a fourth-generation quilter from Gee’s Bend (Boykin), Alabama. She began learning to quilt as a small child, sitting underneath the quilting frame and passing the needle back up to the women above her. Over time, she developed a style known for its precision, with small, careful stitches she shares in common with her mother.

Like many Gee’s Bend quiltmakers, Ms. Mary Margaret’s early work was rooted in necessity. The first quilts she worked on were “house quilts,” made for everyday use and kept close to home. Using worn clothing and available fabric, these quilts were created to serve a purpose first—to keep families warm—while still carrying a sense of beauty and care.

Her work today reflects a deep connection to color, pattern, and observation. She draws inspiration from the world around her, often noting that nature provides the best palette. Working with a range of materials—from cotton to repurposed garments—she allows the fabric itself to guide her choices, balancing color and composition in ways that feel both instinctive and deliberate.

Ms. Mary Margaret is known not only for her quilts, but for her ability to recognize the hand of other quiltmakers. By studying stitches and construction, she can often identify who made a quilt and which parts belong to which maker. This close attention to detail reflects both her technical skill and her deep connection to the quilting community of Gee’s Bend.

Her work has been exhibited in major institutions, including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. One of her quilts is also represented in the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, connecting her work to a broader cultural legacy.

In addition to her studio practice, Ms. Mary Margaret is an Alabama Humanities Foundation Fellow, an instructor at the Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, and serves as board chair of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation. Through her teaching and leadership, she continues to support the preservation and recognition of African American artists in the South.