03/01/2026
For fifteen years, I’ve had the joy of teaching English, and on several occasions, I've been assigned to teach American Literature. One of my favorite stories to explore with students is “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. It always sparks great conversations about heritage, identity, and what it truly means to value something, but most importantly, it's about my favorite hobby- quilting.
In “Everyday Use,” beautiful, heirloom quilts become the center of conflict. Are they meant to be hung up and preserved, or used and loved? I love hearing how my students responded to that question. And every time, we all eventually agree that quilts are made to be lived with.
The last quilt my grandmother made for me is one of my most treasured possessions. I could carefully fold it away in a cedar chest. I could protect it from wear and tear. But instead, it lives on the back of my couch. Anyone who visits my home can pull it around their shoulders when they need a little warmth. That, to me, is the highest honor I can give her work.
Quilting isn’t just about fabric and stitches. It’s about comfort. It’s about connection. It’s about wrapping someone in care and saying, “You matter.”
Though I have moved on from the English classroom, I still believe stories help us understand why we do what we do. As both a teacher and a quilter, I know this much is true: the most meaningful things in life aren’t meant to be admired from a distance. They’re meant for everyday use.
