“When I was a small child I would play underneath my Grandmother’s quilting frame which covered most of the living room” explained Claudia. Her grandmother, Malissa Pettway, and her mother Tinnie and Aunt Minnie were accomplished quilters from Gees Bend, Alabama. Although Claudia says she had no special training, with these quilters in her family it goes without saying that she would be blessed with talent of her own, so she is “generation #4” of Gees Bend Quilters.

Claudia artistic ideas follow the Gees Bend style that comes from the heart, but when “energized” she uses brighter colors. She works early in the morning with fabric all around her. The Black Belt influence that is most rewarding and enjoyable to Claudia is the freedom of feeling and expressing herself with “no rules or judgments, just you and your material…and…being able to use what you have and make something of value. 

Recognizing that beauty is all around you…and all we need to do is pay attention.” Although her art keeps her busy she is a wife and a mother of four (2 boys and 2 girls). Her daughter Francesca is following in her footsteps as generation five Gees Bend Quilter/Artist. 

As CEO of That’s Sew Gee’s Bend she has worked with quilters in her community through marketing and promoting. She has taught privately, through workshops, and more. Her works have traveled nationally and internationally through galleries and museums.

Claudia can be reached on social media as follows:

FB - Claudia Pettway Charley

Etsy -  www.etsy.com/shop/geesbendplace

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