Somewhere along the way, I decided I wanted this quilt to see the light of day. It’s a riot of color—deep reds, purples, blues, paisleys, stripes, and patterns going every which way. My great-grandmother on my dad’s side made it from men’s ties, after asking the men at her church to hand over the ones they were no longer wearing. From what I’ve learned, the ties in this quilt are probably from somewhere between the 1940s and 1970s, when wide, bold neckties were having their moment. She took those retired ties, sliced them into strips, and stitched them into this dazzling, starburst-style quilt that feels like it’s humming with stories.
For the last few years, I’ve used it as our Christmas tree skirt. It feels a little rebellious and a lot right. There’s something beautiful about all those old church ties, once worn to Sunday services and weddings and funerals, now circling the base of a tree full of new memories. Growing up, my mom was very protective of the quilt—in the best way. She wanted to keep it safe so it could be passed down. I like to think that if she were here, she’d see it under the tree, smile, and say, “Well… I guess that is a pretty special occasion.” I honestly believe she’d come around and be delighted that the quilt is a Christmas tradition—no longer tucked away in a closet, but right in the center of the celebration.
This year, I treated my real estate clients to family mini photo sessions. I wanted to give them something that doesn’t just live on a phone or in a camera roll, but can be printed, framed, and passed around. Where my great-grandmother repurposed old ties into something beautiful, my hope is that these photos become the modern equivalent of an heirloom quilt—something that tells the story of a family, a moment, a home.
~ Stacie
