Quilting with Gramma

Her grandmother measured love one block at a time.

By Amy Fulwell, Middleport, New York

My grandmother, Julia Fulwell, had a great love for people and sewing. Gramma loved to quilt! Her goal was to make a quilt for each of her daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters.

When it came time to sew mine, I chose a quilt with images of Sunbonnet Sue and Suspender Sam. I recall sitting on her living room floor, going through boxes and bags of fabric, picking out matching colors and prints.

Our special idea was designing a “story” down the center of the quilt. Near the top, Sam and Sue are going to Sunday school together. Then, a few rows down, Sam hides a heart behind his back while Sue hands him cookies. Further down, Sam holds a wedding ring and Sue is in her wedding dress, complete with a little bouquet of flowers. Then they have a little baby!

When I went to my grandparents’ home, Gramma often said, “Run in the bedroom and see what’s on the bed.” There, laid out all over their bed, was the latest and greatest quilt block. Other squares lay around in various stages of completion.

What fun we had picking out prints, matching Sam and Sue, cutting them out, giving them activities and deciding which block went where. I have the original designs and layouts on paper in Gramma’s handwriting.

Lying under a quilt is like a big hug as you drift off to sleep. Knowing that a special hand sewed in lots and lots of love with each stitch is bound to give you a good night’s sleep.