As in all topics in history we need to do the best we can to discern between fact and fiction.
Myths about quilt history are a part of our culture and many have romantic appeal. We can enjoy the myths but need to remember they are tales sometimes passed through generations. As you explore this site on America's quilting history you will find the truth is often more fascinating than the myth.
MYTH #1Quilt historian, Virginia Gunn introduced her article, "From Myth to Maturity: the Evolution of Quilt Scholarship" in a way that says it so well that I am going to quote it here.
"Quilting myths are realities of quilt history. Romantic myths have been combined with historical facts as people interpreted America's Quilting past. They continue to be accepted as true even when proven to be inaccurate. Myths survive and thrive because they reflect people's dreams, ideals, and values. They provide images and stories that unite and inspire members of society. Signs of maturity in quilt study, as in other fields of research, involve a willingness to revise past scholarship in light of new knowledge, and an ability to recognize and appreciate myth, without letting them impede interpretations based on accurate and documented facts."
Uncoverings 1992.