Growing Up in a "Crafty" Home

Crafting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I guess you could say I grew up in a “crafty” environment.

My grandmother was a seamstress. She hemmed countless pairs of pants and dresses in Garner. She even made my mom’s wedding dress. In fact, it was Grandma Best’s sewing that brought my mom and dad together.

One day, a young man brought a pair of pants to Grandma’s house to have them hemmed. There sat my mama, holding her little sister, Debbie. Neither Shirley Best nor Charles Massey could deny the sparks that ignited that day. It was love at first sight. The result of that chance encounter was three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren—a family legacy built on needlework.

My mother also ran a side business decorating cakes. It amazed me how she could take simple ingredients and transform them into creations that were both beautiful and delicious. I could sit and watch her work for hours. The joy her talents brought to brides, birthday boys and girls, and everyone in our family was astounding.

She eventually learned to quilt and made hand-quilted pillows for our living room couch. Daddy even bought her a quilting frame one year at the NC State Fair. She dabbled in many areas of crafting, and I loved watching how it filled her days with joy.

My sister, Susan, followed in Mama’s footsteps, creating ornaments, painting, and sketching beautiful scenes and lovable characters from our childhood.

Grandma Best passed away when I was in my teens. Mama passed away when I was in my early twenties, long before I understood the importance of paying attention to how our loved ones create a legacy and memories through handmade items. How I wish I’d paid more attention to their stories or known how much those quilted throw pillows would mean to me now at the age of 51. But isn’t that how life works? We learn to value the right things long after those critical moments—and the beloved people in our lives—have passed.

Josh and I created Pisgah Needleworks in hopes of helping a new generation of crafters learn the skills and techniques our family members cherished and passed on to us. As I continue on my crafting journey, I focus my efforts on quilting. I think Mama would be proud of how much I’ve learned and how beautiful my pieces are becoming.

We invite you to join us on this journey as we work together to celebrate and preserve the folk arts that we—and our families—still hold dear.