Gramma's House of Quilts

I remember Gramma. I remember the front room of her house. There were bits and pieces and shapes of cloth on every surface. A very large table was always covered with a work in progress. My Grampap and Aunt Mildred was at her bidding to help in any way they could. Guests were always welcome and were soon involved in Gramma's latest project. Oh, but I, I always felt special. No one was allowed to touch the shapes of cloth. Except me. My Gramma would tell me what each shape was for and where to place it on the table to make a pattern. There were Dutch boys, Dutch girls, tulips, and windmills all in different colors assembled into many, many squares. Then there were the shapes that made what Gramma called Wedding Rings. There were shapes that made Flying Geese, Log Cabins, and shapes that had no particular theme. These were however, arranged in a beautiful display of colors. She sewed each piece to another by hand telling me why in that soft loving voice I loved so well. Once her quilt was pieced together, Gramma showed me the art of Quilting with a single strand of white thread coated with wax. There was the tiniest knot at the end of the thread that amazed everyone who saw it. I listened and now I know I learned.

Yes you see, my Gramma made quilts. Every day, all day, and even into the night. She sold them to supplement my Grampap's income as a blacksmith whose craft was no longer in demand. She kept a happy home dealing with what she called the Rag lady. There were no fabric stores within reasonable distance of quilt makers like my Gramma. The quality of the pieces of cloth she bought would be the envy of today's industry. There were several rag ladies who knocked on Gramma's door but she only dealt with one. This particular rag lady cut squares out of the discarded materials she collected. These materials had been women's and children's dresses, men's and boy's shirts, baby clothes, and various cotton sources found in any household.

People traveled from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and West Virginia just to buy Gramma's quilts. She lived in Ligonier, Pennsylvania where my Grampap shod horses at the Rolling Rock Races. This was a boon to advertising her quilts. Also, Gramma and Grampap rented a small store with living quarters in the back. The storefront window was not only used to display her quilts, it was used by passersby to look in the window and watch her work. I am the proudest lady in the world to have such famous grandparents. My daughter and granddaughter promise me I, too, will be famous for my quilts.

Please enjoy the tour as you look through this site to view my quilts and various needle crafted pieces.

I would love to hear from you.