It is a tradition on Walton's Mountain for a young girl to declare herself eligible for marriage by participating in a quilting bee with the older ladies of the community. Feeling that this is demeaning and insulting, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) refuses to have anything to do with the quilting ritual--and thus begins a rancorous battle of wills between Mary Ellen and Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby). Inasmuch as this would seem to be a "Ladies Only" crisis, it is somewhat surprising that Mary Ellen's brother John-Boy (Richard Thomas) comes up with a satisfying resolution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
