history of quilting is (embedded) in Europe-
the deep south did not really have alot of (need) for quilts- since they were created for *warmth*---so here in the USA the North Atlantic Seaboard, pilgrims & pioneers made quilts --- out of what ever scraps they could accumilate---to keep their families warm
there is a very good DVD series (available from the American Quilter's Society) that was shown as a mini-series on PBS stations
also visit the Lincoln Nebraska Quilt Museum website- there is alot of history on their site-along with lots of examples of quilts 200+ years old.