Through the Fire and Flames

Growing up, there was always a quilt somewhere in our house - my mom proudly displaying pieces of our family history. But these quilts weren't just decorations; they were authentic lessons in love, resourcefulness, and care stitched into every inch.

Gifted to her from my great-grandmother, my mom would tell me the stories behind each one. The two hanging on the wall were made by her great-grandmother, Lovey, patchworked together from scraps of fabric left over after making dresses. My mom still remembers the matching handmade dresses Lovey sewed - lovingly worn until the fabric softened and faded like the quilts hanging today. I can only imagine how some of the dresses turned out.  What type of gown was made from the fish or the strawberry prints, I wonder? I am sure they were charming!

The quilt my mother displays most proudly hangs in the living room - a strong representation of the heritage and storytelling I strive to bring to the world with Grain and Butter. 

Made in the Civil War era, this roughly 150-year-old masterpiece was hand-stitched by my great (x5) grandmother. The craftsmanship is one to behold - each piece was lovingly cut by hand, each seam whispering the story of its maker. Though it bears the wear and tear from use, the main story hides beneath the folds and in some burns. 

When my great-grandmother passed it down to my mom, she explained that these burn marks came from a fire that once threatened their home. Thinking on her feet, my great (x5) grandmother grabbed this quilt to shield herself and her children - a corner burned in the process, but their lives, and this heirloom, spared.
Now, generations later, it hangs as a symbol of strength, love, and the kind of craftsmanship that carries stories across centuries - the very heart of what Grain and Butter was built to honor.