Aunt Pitty Pat is a classic Southern Gentlewoman, well schooled from
childhood in social graces and the fine arts of the needle, but
definitely liberated and enlightened. She lives in a moderately large
Southern city in a quiet neighborhood of stately old homes and ancient
shade trees. Her house is an old Victorian (much like herself) with an
invitingly wide wraparound porch furnished with white wicker rockers and
chairs, and a table or two, ideal for serving tea or the occasional mint
julep. The house is surrounded by an ever blooming rainbow of azaleas,
camellias, crepe myrtles, roses, and a plethora of perennials, annuals
and herbs, all from which Pitty Pat draws inspiration for her quilts.
She is of average height, and well rounded in every sense of the term.
Whenever in public, most of her gray hair is usually tucked under a blond
wig of curls and topped with a small lace trimmed hat, after the old
fashion. Her small, gold wire framed spectacles tend to slide down her
nose, so, as often as not; her brown eyes are looking over, rather than
through the lenses.
Aunt Pitty Pat is "of a certain age". No one knows for sure exactly how
old she is. She has been quilting for "longer than I care to remember,
my dear!" She does allude to being "well preserved for my age", and
attributes her "youthful" appearance to "maintaining a cheerful
disposition, even in the worst of times, helping someone else every day,
never taking myself too seriously, and always keeping my hands busy with
my quilting and my gardening, and oh, just a little bit of chocolate
everyday!" It is widely held that, at one time she was a teacher. She
has been overheard occasionally referring to "our Scarlet", "our dear,
sweet Melody" and "poor, dear Captain Butler", whom we assume are members
of her rather large, extended family.
Pitty, as her closest friends call her, is sometimes prim, nearly always
proper, quick to smile and slow to anger, just a little vain, a great
talker, but also a good listener. One of her greatest joys is meeting
new friends and welcoming visitors to her porch and home, especially if
they come to quilt or to discuss the art. She has a generous spirit, is
fiercely loyal, and is intent on honoring, preserving and passing on to
others the heritage of quilting which she has held dear since early
childhood. She tries to always be mindful of others' feelings, has a rye sense of humor, and dearly enjoys a good laugh. She loves to travel, especially to quilt shows, and often goes in the company of her closest friends, especially her good friend Sue Troyan. The next time you are at a quilt show, keep an eye out for her. You just might get to meet her in person!
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