The Handwork Gene

I have been trying to think where my handwork gene came from. Grammy knitted and her mother, Nana (Reta Rasmussen Beaman) made all her own clothes during the Great Depression--including her underwear. She also made fitted sheets long before they were available commercially. I remember seeing her mother, Ma (Martha Jensen Rasmussen) doing handwork, but I don't remember what she was making.

My other grandmother, Amy Slade Brown, made quilts--she cut the pieces with scissors and sewed them together by hand, as everyone did then--also her sister, Waitie (we called her Nantie). Grandma Amy also crocheted--she taught me how--and she also embroidered beautiful cut work. I wish I had a set of one of her pillow cases.

So, I guess the question is not where my handwork gene came from, but rather, what took me so long. Actually, I have been making things by hand for a long time--I sewed for my kids, made quilts when we lived in Utah (br-r-r-r-r), and crocheted an afghan one year (I had seen something I liked and thought I might be able to figure out how to make it--and I did.)

In retrospect, I see that I have always done this, but didn't have the freedom, time or patience to do it day after day. One thing I am really looking forward to is going to the International Quilt Show in Houston next month with my daughter and one of Bobby's cousins. My daughter Amy clearly got the handwork gene. I guess I always thought I just didn't get this trait, but only did handwork out of necessity. Since it seems to have been all over our family tree prior to me, I have to assume many of my progeny will inherit it, too. Probably many of Bob's too.

If you think you don't have it, you might be wrong. :)