The Quilt

The year was 1960-64. Coy and Viola Yarbrough had a church in Redding. They were pastoringthe Apostolic Pentecostal Church. (One we would begin attending in 1967)
At the same time, Sam Butcher, (creator of Precious Moments) lived in the Redding area.
His Mother , (called Mother Butcher) and his aunt went to Apostolic Pentecost Church with the Yarbrough's.
Mother Butcher and her sister made a quilt top. .
The top was made from old clothing, rags if you will.
The name of the quilt is "Around the World"
As you look at it you can see, it all begins at the center of the quilt, and it is set  on point.
They gave the pieced top to Viola. Viola had that top for several years and one day in 1968, my Mama came to visit.
Viola  asked Mama if she would quilt  for her. Of course my Mom said "Yes" and she would only charge $5 Dollars.
That was like nothing at all to charge.
My Mama made the quilt and each stitch was sewn by her hand. It is perfect.
Vi paid her $10 for the job.
Vi then began putting a blue binding on the quilt, that was after 1968. The binding was never finished,
In 1999 My mama passed away. I never knew of the quilt.
In 2000, we all gathered at Mamas to clear out her house. There were several quilts.
Each child took one. Everyone but me. I  took one out and gave it to Edward. He had not joined in the quilt transfer.
I knew he would want one.
We left Sheridan and drove into Berryville to visit Vi. She said, "Sue, I have a quilt in there that your Mama quilted for me, You can have it."
She searched and searched for the quilt.
She could not find it. She requested I keep on looking that night.
I opened the bathroom linen closet and found it. I took it in and asked, "Is this it?"
She smiled and said "Yes, I cant believe you found it, It is not finished yet, You have to work on the binding"
Tears rolled from my eyes as I looked at each little stitch and knew each one was placed there with love.
I was so honored to have that quilt.
It had been passed down from generation to generation and now I have placed it in Sheri's
 hands to honor her heritage and know the history behind this 50 plus year old quilt.
I did finish the binding and spent many years on the bed with it wrapped around me, for comfort, for peace, for a closeness I felt when I lay down to rest.
Sheri all I ask is you take care of the quilt. It is the only one I never let the kids play with, The rest was fine but that one, has so many memories attached.
I felt God placed it in my hands, For a reason. The reason is stated above.
Sheri if you want to, post a photo of the quilt with the story. It is a piece of history.