-----Original Message----- From: Pat Oneal [SMTP:peon@icx.net] Sent: Saturday, February 20, 1999 3:46 PM To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Feather beds Ruth, Featherbeds/bolster pillows were never bought. Each family made their own. My mother had featherbeds which were later (1950s) turned into pillows. I let my son take one of mine to Florida one summer (late 70s). I have never forgiven him for leaving it at the home of a friend on his return trip. Mama said they plucked the feathers from geese and the soft feathers around the neck were used to make down pillows. It used to make me so mad to turn over in bed and have the quill of a feather sticking through the ticking. Pillows and featherbeds were aired in spring and fall. Now and then Mama would replace the ticking. Can you imagine trying to transfer the feathers from one ticking cover to another. Feathers were everywhere. Check some of the old Wills. You'll see where they willed featherbeds to wives and daughters. Pat ==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== #6 HELP is available from the sysop/owner anytime at: ehoward@conknet.com or swvaroot@swva.net [Pam Moehling] The feather pillows and the old way of stuffing them still exsists today.. Every spring I buy new material to make the "tickings" and my mom, who will be 89 in May goes to the back porch (on a day that is VERY calm) and stuffs the new pillows for me...there just wonderful.. My Aunt Ethel had several featherbeds..but I always felt like I was smothering when we got into them... Pam