Phyllis Stephens

Phyllis Stephens is an award-winning fifth generation quilt maker. Considered by critics to be a Master of African-American Story Quilts. Simply stated her quilts are inspirational. Her color selections and fabric choices are unmatched. She has quilted professionally for more than twenty-five years. Her quilts have been displayed in some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world. (Such as, The Museum of the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah, Kentucky and the Fine Art Museum of Ghana, in Accra, Ghana – Africa). It was a special honor for her to show in Ghana, being it is the fabric capital of Africa.

Her design process and techniques are cutting edge. Stephens work has been described as innovative and fresh. She states, "My quilts come from the stories that live inside me. Some works are a collaboration of many stories brought together to make one piece. Let me make this clear, the quilts are not just about stories. They're also about some defining moments I have chosen to pay close attention to. Quilting is sometimes thought of as a hard, long, drawn-out process. Not for me. I am a fifth-generation quilt maker, and quilting is my love affair. The process allows me time to recall some of my sweetest memories. Like the quilting parties I enjoyed as a child. It was there that sewing hands and tall tales flowed one in the same. Once when I gave my grandmother a quilt, I proudly proclaimed that I quilted like her. She, in turn, proudly proclaimed that I quilted like her grandmother."

Stephens acknowledges she is blessed, and her abilities are a gift from God, "in Him there is nothing to add, and nothing can be taken away, He is a true and solid source".