Quilts and Color by Pamela A. Parmal

A celebration of color, pattern, and the remarkable creativity of American quiltmakers, Quilts and Color explores more than 60 visually striking quilts from the renowned Pilgrim/Roy Collection.

Collectors Paul Pilgrim and Gerald Roy were among the early advocates for recognizing quilts as works of art, appreciating their connections to modern artistic movements such as abstraction, Op Art, and Color Field painting. Their collection reveals how quiltmakers used color, geometry, and repetition to create compositions that can feel surprisingly contemporary.

The quilts are organized around seven principles of color theory: Vibrations, Mixtures, Gradations, Harmonies, Contrasts, Variations, and Optical Illusions. Through vivid photographs and thoughtful commentary, readers can explore how colors interact, how patterns create movement, and how traditional quilt designs produce unexpected visual effects.

Beyond their artistic qualities, these quilts tell stories about American social and cultural history. The accompanying text considers the lives, techniques, and creative ambitions of their makers, many of whom remain unidentified.

Published to accompany an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Quilts and Color offers inspiration for quilters, textile artists, designers, and anyone interested in the expressive possibilities of fabric and color.

Book Details

• Format: Hardcover

• Pages: 144

• Featured Collection: Pilgrim/Roy Collection

• Exhibition: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston