First Person.

Hi, my name is Emma Mooney-Pettway. I was born in Gee’s Bend (Boykin), Alabama to Mr. Minniefield & Mrs. Tanzy Mooney Jr. on April 24, 1959 where I’m still currently residing. I am a graduate of Pine Hill High School class of 1977. I am married to Melvin Pettway and we have four beautiful children. Growing up I learned to quilt at the age of 12. I learned to quilt by watching my mother and both grandmothers as they patched pieces of old clothing together to make quilts. As a young girl, I would sit under the quilt threading the needles to prepare for them to quilt with. When I got a little older I decided to start making my own quilts using the knowledge and experience I got from watching my mother and grandmothers. I learned to make my favorite quilts such as the sweep, lazy-gal, 9-patch, and housetop from my mother and grandmothers. 

Currently I’m employed with Alabama Tombigbee Regional Center as a Public Transportation Driver. After work I never stop working because I decided to continue the legacy of quilting. I’m now considered a third generation quilter, and because I want this legacy to continue on I’ve taught my children and I’m currently teaching my grandchildren how to make a masterpiece of quilts with old clothing and cloth pieces.  I’m also proud to say that in being a third generation quilter I became a part of the Gee’s Bend Quilter’s. As a Gee’s Bend Quilter I’ve made many quilts in which I’ve put into the collection for tourists and visitors to view and purchase from our local Gee’s Bend Quilter’s Collective here in Gee’s Bend (Boykin), Alabama. I’ve even had the opportunity to travel to represent the collective along with other Gee’s Bend Quilters. I recently placed my quilt pieces on the internet (esty.com) so that people all around the world could view my masterpieces and place an order to purchase without having to travel to Gee’s Bend (Boykin), Alabama. 

Being a quilter has brought so much joy to my life. Sometimes when I get ready to start quilting, I have no clue of how I’m going to design my quilts but the moment I pick up my pieces and start coordinating the colors, I quickly come up with a unique design. I call quilting my piece of mind because when I’m quilting I’m definitely in peace, and I know I’m putting my own unique designs into it. It’s a design that no one else have come up with, but a design I’ve carefully put together to make a beautiful work of art.