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To Bee or Not to Bee: Quilting Societies in Appalachia by Sandy Laws

Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild

On April 11, 2024, the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild held the monthly meeting in the Fellowship Hall of the Jonesborough United Methodist Church, located at 211 West Main Street. While the official meeting time is at 10:00 a.m., several members arrived at 9:00 for fellowship and also set-up.

Vice-President, Jackie Rose, had a table at the front complete with lectern, which was draped with a Hexy runner. Two quilts, c1930s-40s, made by Rose’s grandmothers, were draped over each side of the table: on the left, a scalloped bordered Scrappy quilt, made by Julia Elizabeth Paxton, and on the right a Double Wedding Ring, made by Mollie Franklin Hensley, also with a scalloped border. The box gracing the center of the table, filled with quilting ephemera, belonged to Rose’s maternal grandmother, Mollie Franklin Hensley.
Two long tables were filled with quilts for Isaiah House, and another table held various pieces of material left by a guild member who had recently passed away.

The program for the day included a representative of Isaiah House, who shared information about this ministry. Rose presented “Suitcases and Shoeboxes,” describing the contents of the boxes and speaking lovingly of her grandmother’s quilting expertise, and the importance of heirlooms. This theme was continued during Show and Tell when various guild members shared heirloom quilts. The Archives of Appalachia was represented to conduct research for a digital exhibit. The business meeting followed with announcements of a Sit and Sew from 1:00 to 4:00 that day, numerous upcoming events: Fall Quilt Sale during the October Storytelling Festival, quilts on display in the Jonesborough Library, a quilt challenge, upcoming “sew-ins” and Mystery Quilt event, and the monthly presentation of birthday gift and door prizes to members. The number of upcoming events was quite impressive!

Thirty of the 40 members were present at the meeting. Of 18 people surveyed, 14 were retired. Of the 14, five were educators. Also included in this group were: homemakers, a social worker, a behavioral scientist, and a registered nurse. The youngest member of the group was 24, and an electrical engineer. The average age was 73, with one member, Polly Reed, proudly announcing she was 88! Before her retirement, Polly was an educator, teaching at University School at ETSU. She owned Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough for ten years, and now conducts an annual quilting camp, May through November, at Buffalo Mountain. She is a third-generation quilter, and a charter member and co-founder of the Jonesborough Old Town Quilt Guild, which began in 1992. With no notion of slowing down, she is currently working on a flour sack quilt!

When asked the reason for quilting, the consensus was that quilting is a relaxing, meditative, creative, and interactive outlet that produces a sense of accomplishment that is tangible and enduring. There were mixed answers as to whether or not the quilting tradition will continue due to careers and the obsession with technology, but the overall consensus was positive that, yes, the tradition will continue. Reasons for this optimism were more opportunities to learn how to quilt through in-person classes or online videos, more artistic license and self-expression, long-arm technology, and even the introduction to quilting in schools. The Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild is a warm, welcoming, skilled, and enthusiastic group, whose sole purpose is to carry on an enduring tradition through meetings and activities that provide a venue for expert quilters to continue their craft, while graciously offering assistance and teaching the art and craft of quilting to any and all, and to give back to the community.

SHOW AND TELL QUILTS

Instructions on how to make a crazy quilt is demonstrated by the women of Sulphur Springs in the Broadside Television Collection, housed in the Archive of Appalachia, and accessible here: Sulphur Springs Quilting Bee.

The Step Around the Mountain Quilt (above) presented by Vickie Lilly at the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild Meeting, on April 11, 2024, was also made by her grandmother Florence LaFollette. One of Lafollette’s quilts was featured on page 18, in the book Quilts of Tennessee, Images of Domestic Life Prior to 1930, available in the Archives of Appalachia.

Lilly, taking great pride in this fact, had frames made for family members featuring the book cover and description.

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Crazy Quilt This Crazy Quilt was presented by Jackie Paxton Rose at the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild Meeting, on April 11, 2024. Made by Rose’s grandmother, Mollie B. Franklin Hensley, this quilt features her initials, MBF, her mother’s initials, ESG, Elizabeth Sara Gentry, and the name of her husband, Roscoe Hensley. The unique features of a crazy quilt are the irregular shaped pieces with embroidered edging and images. The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Crazy Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Double Wedding Ring Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Double Wedding Ring Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Grandmother's Flower Garden The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Denim Look Scrappy Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Double Wedding Ring with Inner Stitch Pattern
Pink Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Fan Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Umbrella Ladies Summer Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Butterfly Quilt This Butterfly quilt was presented by Barbara McBride Smith at the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild Meeting, on April 11, 2024. Smith’s next-door neighbor, Della Johnson in Waco, Texas, gave her the quilt in 1963 because she was the first person in her family to attend college, and she was “fluttering away.” Smith referred to Johnson as a “neighbor, caregiver, and faux grandma.” Johnson hand-quilted in the evenings while she listened to her radio. By day, she ran a home laundry for Baylor University Students. The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Give Away Table The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Scrappy Quilt This Scrappy Quilt presented by Jackie Paxton Rose at the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild Meeting, on April 11, 2024, was made by her grandmother Julia Elizabeth Paxton. Scrappy quilts are just as they sound, scraps of leftover cloth made into a quilt. The Scrappy Quilt is thought to originate from the Great Depression when material was dear and every piece counted. This quilt, made in the 1930s-40s, features a scalloped edge. The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt with Striped Edge The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Scrappy Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Hexy Quilt with Triangle Edging The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Scrappy Quilt with Scalloped Edge The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Main Table Quilt Display The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Step Around the Mountain Quilt This Step Around the Mountain Quilt presented by Vickie Lilly at the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild Meeting, on April 11, 2024, was also made by her grandmother Florence LaFollette. One of Lafollette’s quilts was featured on page 18, in the book Quilts of Tennessee, Images of Domestic Life Prior to 1930, available in the Archives of Appalachia. Lilly, taking great pride in this fact, had frames made for family members featuring the book cover and description The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
1920s Scrap Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Pink Stars Quilt The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Flower Garden The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Quilts for Isaiah House
Quilts of Tennessee Book
Tennessee Quilts Framed The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.
Florence and G. L. Lafollette The Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University does not claim to control the rights for reproduction for this item. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Archives. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain written permission from all rights holders for publication, distribution, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use.