Quilting With Grandmother
In my previous post about Grandparents’ Day, I suggested one way to commemorate was recalling your quilting occasions with Grandmother…if you quilted with her. So I should do this myself.
My maternal grandmother, Nanny, taught me the first rudiments about sewing and quilting when I was 6-8 years old. Our first sewing sessions together consisted of making clothes for my dolls. Nanny even made a cloth leg for one of my dolls who lost hers.
Then Nanny let me help her make quilts for us four children. I recall sitting at her kitchen table, cutting pieces, then sewing them together by hand. This went on for many days whenever I’d visit Nanny and Auntie at their Trails End farm.
Often while Nanny and I worked on quilts, Auntie cooked and baked. The memory of freshly made bread lingers. I can almost taste a warm end piece spread with homemade butter. (Perhaps that’s where my desire for crusty bread rather than cake or cookies developed.)
Later, after all four quilt tops were finished, Nanny, Auntie and a neighbor lady, Susie, spread backing, flannel sheet filling, and pieced top on the large table in the dining room. I’d call this a quilting bee, even though the ladies tied the quilts rather than hand quilting them. I was thrilled, and felt so grown up, that they allowed me to help.
I still have that quilt Nanny made for me, with my intials embroidered in the corner. Even though it’s well worn, I treasure it.
Why don’t you share your memories about quilts and Grandma. Even though you may not have made quilts with her, perhaps you have one she stitched for you. Or have you been making quilts for your grandchildren?
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Jun 8, 2008 at 7:12 pm
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