flrts and Crafts

Hand Work

North Tryon, like other rural Island communities, had many resi— dents who did exceptionally fine hand work, creating masterpieces that are cherished by family and friends. The community is fortunate to have so many residents still carrying on the tradition of fine hand work.

Quilting was the most social of the hand crafts and the ladies at the corner for many years gathered at Charlotte (George) Ives’ home where there was always a quilt in the frames. The large back kitchen that was later removed from the house was the quilt room. When one quilt was completed, someone always had another top pieced and ready to put in the frarnes.]essie (Edward) Leard, Winnie Dawson, Nettie Callbeck, Margaretjohnson, Ruby Chisholm, Evelyn Lord, Adelaide Wood, Ethel Thomson, and Minnie Thomson were all welcome at the Ives’ home.

Minnie Thomson chose quilting as a vocation when her duties on the farm grew lighter. In the past twenty years Minnie has created over fifty quilts. She has made one for each of her children and grandchil- dren and had thirteen to present as gifts one Christmas. Now in her 96th. year, Minnie has many memories dating back to her years as a young girl at home helping her mother hook rugs and make quilts for the family and for the relatives from away, especially the California relatives who came home to visit. Minnie recalls the difficulty she and her mother had getting the quilt turned in the frames that were supported on the back of the kitchen chairs. Quilt stands were a great inven- tion, and now, the modern frames, al— though Minnie does not have a set, and the lights that

Minnie Dawson Thomson. Hazel Robimon collection.

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