Meet the new Board

Get to know your Board Members!

All of them have been asked to provide the following:

• a little something about you non quilt related;
• a picture of your latest or most treasured quilt and why it is special;
• a recommendations for an Instagram/Facebook account to follow, and/or a # to follow, or anything you want (tool, book…)

Ede - President

This is the center of Sarah Fielke’s Down the Rabbit Hole quilt. This was a QuiltAlong from two years ago! The reason I’m highlighting this is because it’s part of my self-imposed restriction to only work on UFOs for the first part of this year. I’m finding it super satisfying to finish things up, and shopping my stash. I’d also forgotten how much I enjoy hand appliqué.
Have you seen mention of Prequilt.com?  I watched a tutorial on it from justgetitdonequilts on Insta.  It's a pretty cool program for using up hard to match fabrics, or just design quilts in general.  It's free, but it's "in beta".  It looks like a pretty cool--and free!--option for design help.
Otherwise, I rescue old Labrador Retrievers, Bear is number 7.

Yanick - Vice President

The quilt, True Love, represents my love of vinyl music: as a kid, Prince was the first musician I fell in love with and his album, Purple Rain, was the first album I ever bought with my own money. My favorite part is the quilting made to represent an album on an actual Techniques turntable.
Fun fact about me: I have two turntables and a microphone. In another life, I would have been a DJ instead of a teacher. (My vinyl collection rivals my fabric collection.) I grew up listening to albums with my dad and his records are one of the few things I have since he passed away. Good music always put a smile on my face. 
My only social media is IG and I love following guild members and others who sew for inspiration to keep on creating. I also follow #modernquilting to keep up with the lovelies made daily.

Caroline - Secretary

This quilt is very special, it is Altura from Carolyn Frielander and it has travelled with me all over the world.  Each block has been hand-appliquéed and carries so many memories.  The top is now finished, but not quilted yet, I don't want this journey to end.
The year I arrived in the States (2013), I had lived in 3 different countries on 3 different continents: Singapore, England and the States.  I am a bit of a traveler.
I am a believer of daily practice in order to make the best of my day, I meditate every morning with Insight Timer.  Recently, I have started following @meetmakersofcolor, #meetmakersofcolor, @Sewover50, #Sew50visible.

Zonetta - Treasurer

The little Brown Bear quilt was made for a very special little boy (my son's best friend baby boy) who was delivered at only 24 weeks, developed severe brain infection while in the preemie ward, and was born with severe disabilities.  While he has limited vision he is very tactile and a quilt of bright colors and texture--hence, a rag quilt--seemed the perfect gift.  He is about five years old now, and the quilt remains in his rocking chair or in his bed.  He loves it.  It makes me happy too.

On another note,  a fun fact about me!  Most people don't know that i was robbed leaving our quilting retreat last year!  Walking to the parking lot to get my car with $60 in my hand, this young woman, dressed in running garb, came running from behind me, reached over, grabbed my money and kept on running!  While I was saying, "What just happened?" the gentleman behind be whipped out his cell phone and called 911.  He handed me the phone, and while I was still talking to the 911 operator, the police car pulled up, asked if I was the victim and said the police had the robber on the beach in handcuffs.  (She obviously was not a very fast runner!)  Money retrieved.  Crime does not pay.  Moral to the story:  Keep your money out of sight when walking down the street.
Recommendations to follow:  IG splendidsampler2 and lillyellasworld
 

Kelly - Community Outreach Coordinator

My current favorite quilt is made out of lawn cotton and it is the softest thing ever. It's perfect for the couch and my girls try to steal it whenever they can. The fabric is a Heather Ross line and I love the Lillies of the Valley flowers. They make me think of my childhood because they grew wild around my house.
One of my favorite TV shows is the Great British Bake off. I love all the things they bake. However, I hate baking.
I have two Instagram recommendations:
Flora.Forager - She makes wonderful art out of different kinds of plants and flowers. It's beautiful, creative and inventive.
Red*Hongyi - She is a Malaysian artist working with everyday materials. She has made wonderful and huge installations using socks and tea bags. She also highlights a number of other artists. 

Alissa - Education Coordinator

My name is Alissa and I've been quilting for almost 5 years. I accidentally found OrlandoMQG, and have loved it ever since. I decided to go to Austin on vacation, during Quiltcon 2014 just because it looked like an awesome exhibit. Then I thought maybe Orlando would have a modern guild and that may be interesting....and I've been hooked!! My most recent finish is a quilt for my bed. After five years I'm *finally* making myself a bed quilt!! I only have three throw quilts in my house I've made myself, all the others I've given away. I made this quilt at my girl's quilt retreat. It's super important to me to be able to get away and sit and sew with my girls! I also adore cooking, and my two fur babies, Chloe and Winnie. If you want to see a fun hashtag, you can follow my dog's, #winniebagothemutt. Now let's get to stitchin'!

Beth - Member at large

I have been a member of this guild since it first started. This year I will be your "Member At Large". 
I wasn't very "modern" at first, but loved the people, and all the inspiration. With a lot of exposure, I have come to Love "modern" quilting! And...this guild still has the most wonderful people! 
My favorite quilt, that I've made, is the applique' camera, wall hanging I made for my daughter. She is a photographer and I surprised her with it for her birthday a couple of years ago. It was very difficult for me, and took me a Very long time, with a lot of removing pieces and redoing them.
Some of the other things I love are: Family; Friends; Volleyball; Lunches out with guild members; Pincushions; Succulents; & Doing things "just for fun"! 
I get Lots of inspiration from Pinterest & IG. I follow OrlandoMQG, Kirkenoll, Quiltyfriendsrock, Capitolaquilter, & Playcrafts. There are so many more great ones to follow, but start here and you will soon find many for yourself.

René - Founding Member

Hey, I’m Rene’ . So happy to be a part of this awesome group!
Fun fact 1: I started quilting a few years before the guild began, and I can remember stating proudly that I don’t do “3-D” sewing. My first foray into the 3-D world started innocently enough with pincushions, which I thought was a big deal; I have now graduated to a few tops and a dress.
Fun fact 2: I am so not athletic, but I once “ran” a half marathon and I have the medal to prove it.
This quilt is not recent nor treasured, but one I love anyway. I named this quilt Random and was an early attempt at improv and negative space, using leftover fabrics from a coin quilt made for my sister. This quilt now lives with my sister-in-law (assuming she still has it).
Recommendations for follows:
Blog and newsletter: A Quilter’s Table
Instagram: Hillary Goodwin EntropyAlwaysWins
Hashtag: #100dayproject or #the100dayproject

Michele - Founding Member

Michele here! So thrilled to begin our tenth year with The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild. Rene's idea to start a guild ten years ago has blossomed nicely. I've met so many nice guildies and hope to meet many more of you. My how we've grown! I'm writing this blurb at the end of QuiltCon2019. It was a wonderful few days. I took some great classes, saw some gorgeous quilts and did a bit of shopping.
The quilt I'm showing I started at a dream retreat in Dripping Springs, Texas this past September. It was a Craftsy clearance kit and came together so easily. Debra J. quilted it for me and she always pulls no stops with her quilting talent.
I miss blogging. Hoping it will come into vogue once more and I'll have time to write down my thoughts, recipes, show quilts, etc. Some of my favorite blogs aren't exactly quilt related. I love food, too. My two favorite food blogs at the moment are https://www.howsweeteats.com and http://bevcooks.com. These two young moms have a passion for food and some cute kids!

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Buzzing Bees

This year our Guild has decided to put the emphasis on getting to know each other.  Several initiatives have been put together, one of them being the Bee groups, either Improv Bees and Queen Bee.

Are you familiar with the concept of Quilting Bee?  Initially, it was a social gathering amongst quilters to make a quilt faster, each members would sew a block or more, and all together they will work on the top and eventually quilting it.  Things have evolved, but the goal stays the same.  If you want to find out more, go and check this article on Craftsy.

A few months have passed and we have started to see some interesting blocks popping up on social media or at Show’n’Tell at our meetings.  The Blue and Green Hives, and the Queen Bee, with 12 members each, and work on a monthly schedule.  Whereas the Yellow hive has 2 Queens and produces 2 blocks every other month.

So far we had some interesting prompt leading to even more interesting blocks.

Here are Sarah and Ashley blocks from the first round.  Their respective prompts can be found here and here 

The second month of the Improv Bee brought some bright blocks for Aradria.

If Improv is out of your comfort zone, don’t feel intimidated.  Start with small steps: do not use a ruler or a rotary cutter, go for solid or low volume fabric.  You can also get inspiration and tips from Sherry Lynwood book (The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters - it is in our library!)

The Queen Bee, which work on a set block requested by the Queen bee each month, had some super nice results too.

Here is an article about Quilting Bee Etiquette.  My take on this, like in most life situation, communication is key.  To help with communication, Ashley recommends to create and share a Pinterest board.

As the months are going by and new prompts and blocks will be shared, I hope you will be inspired to join a Quilting bee.

Still in need of inspiration?  Here where to find more:

• #beesewcial on Instagram (a long-running improv bee)
• Some inspiration from the Modern Quilt Guild Gallery 
• 15 Minutes of Play: Improvisational Quilts by Victoria Findlay Wolfe (another great book, especially helpful for working with scraps in an improv manner)
• What really counts as Improv quilting on Cheryl Arkinson's blog.

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Meet Yanick Booz

How long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when did you join the Orlando MQG?

I have been sewing for 18 years and quilting for 16 years. I joined Orlando MQG in January 2013 and it was the best birthday present I gave myself! I needed to find “my people” that loved quilting/collecting fabric as much as I did. I was honored to serve as president from 2014-2016 and have adored the friends made here ever since.

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Meet Zonetta Glenn

My dear neighbor, Love Sullivan, introduced me to the "world of quilting" about six years ago.  I knew she was a quilter and I needed her sage advice.  I showed her my very first attempt (with no quilting experience at all)--a mermaid themed baby quilt for my new granddaughter.  Naturally, she insisted I visit OrlandoMQG. I immediately joined the guild and fell in love with the adventure.  Little did I know it would become an addiction!

My mother had been a beautiful seamstress and I had sewn as a young girl and young mother, but never quilted.  I took a beginner's class at Quilter's Cove and slowly got my feet wet.  My first "real" quilt was a log cabin design from a Mary-Jeanine class at the Sewing Studio.  I was on my way.

My first quilting machine, which I still have and use mostly for classes--and retreats--is a Janome 2010. (I would not let my husband buy a real expensive machine--just in case it didn't take!)  Last year I bought a Bernina 750 and who knows what is next . . .

I always sew barefooted or in socks!  Shoes can be so cumbersome under a sewing machine!

My husband's older daughter is a quilter extraordinaire (although not a modern quilter) and she gave me my most useful, and therefore my most favorite piece of equipment--an ergonomically shaped seam ripper.  Love it and use it lots and lots and lots.

The favorite quilt I've made to date is this multi-dimensional pinwheel quilt.  It was just fun!  My next adventure is not one, but two, T-shirt quilts for my two grandsons, ages 13 and 15.  Time goal is Christmas.  Hoping it's this Christmas and not next--certainly before they graduate from high school.

Little known fact: About five years ago I was the "victim" rescued in the mountains in Colorado by the Colorado Springs Fire Dept. High Angle Rescue Team.  Ever been rappelled down a mountain side about 200' while clinging desperately to a firefighter, left on a ledge, and then basketed and rescued and rappelled the rest of the way down, another 300'?   Try it sometime!

As for inspiration, there is not a person in our guild who is not an inspiration to me--beginners to intermediates to professionals.  So much to learn.  I'm happy to be here.

Kindness is the greatest virtue.

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Meet Patti Lapinsky

I’ve been sewing since I was ten years old (my mom taught  me). I can still remember the first skirt and top I made. I sewed for my girls when they were younger and often made my own clothes. Although I’ve been sewing for many years, I only began quilting about five years ago. My friend, Linda Blakely (also a member of our guild),  tried to get me into quilting years ago, but it was just so fussy and it really wasn’t my thing. Fast forward many years, and my daughter Alissa discovered modern quilting and loved it so much, she convinced me to try it. And an obsession was born…. she encouraged me to join the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild and we also attended Quilt Con in Austin that following year. It was official, I was bitten by the quilting bug.

I have made quilts for my daughter, my mom, my grandsons and many baby quilts. My favorite quilt is usually the one I am working on at the moment, but I do love the Double Square Star quilt I made with my Anna Maria Horner fabric.

I always sew with my shoes off on my Viking that my mom gave me, and on occasion I wander down the street and sew with Alissa, or more often than not, I wander down the street for her advice and inspiration. I love that we can quilt together! My inspiration comes from Alissa, Anna Maria Horner and a host of quilters on Instagram!

Not sure of my next quilting advenure, but we are definitely planning to go to the retreat in November, QuiltCon in Nashville and I’m excited about being the Education Coordinator this year.

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Meet Michelle Mullinax

Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I began quilting about 7 ½ years ago. I joined the MQG as an individual member first since there wasn't a local MQG where I live (Lake Park, GA) and then became a member of the Orlando MQG February, 2015. As an out-of-state member, I miss out on most of the monthly sew days and board meetings. But I have enjoyed attending a couple of workshops and sew days, and retreating with the guild in Sebring a few years ago was such a wonderful experience. QuiltCon 2015 and 2017 was also a great opportunity to see my Orlando MQG friends!

Starry Sky mini quilt - blocks made at guild retreat

How did you learn to quilt?

I initially learned to quilt by watching YouTube videos and tutorials from blogs. My sister, Rene’, introduced me to quilting by giving me a sewing machine and a kit to make a Yellow Brick Road quilt.  She had planned a mini quilting lesson/retreat to go along with the gifts, but the weekend ended up being a comedy of unfortunate events (car trouble for her and a dead air conditioner in the middle of August for me), so I was given a list of wonderful video tutorials to get me started. At the time, I didn’t even know how to thread my machine…haha. But I quickly developed a passion for quilting that has not subsided in the least. My first year of quilting resulted in about 8-10 quilts! Over the years, I have slowed down quite a bit and learned to really enjoy the process instead of being so focused on the final product. 

Modern X quilt

What machine do you drive?

I drive a Janome Memory Craft 6300. She is a workhorse!! 

Do you sew with your shoes on or off?

Shoes are always off. 

What and/or who inspires you?

This is almost an impossible question to answer without writing a book! There are so many wonderful quilters that have inspired me over the years. But, the quilter that always comes to mind first is Jacquie Gering. I love her passion, her generous spirit, the way she embraces the quilting process…I am definitely a fan! One of the first modern quilts I made was from her Quilting Modern book, co-authored by Katie Pedersen. I fell in love with her Fiesta Quilt…such bold, vibrant colors. At the time, I didn’t have the confidence to use those brilliant colors. Instead, I made a Siesta wall quilt using colors more suited to me.

Fiesta quilt

What is your most treasured (sewing) possession?

I treasure all of the quilts and handmade gifts given to me. I am blessed to have several amazing quilts made by my sister and a beautiful Christmas quilt made by our mother. It is not unusual for me to pick a quilt to snuggle under based upon my mood at the time. Each one serves a specific purpose, comfort-wise. 

Peace quilt

What is your favorite thing you’ve made to date?

In 2012, my sister and I made a quilt for our mother to celebrate her 70^th birthday. We each made 10 great-granny square blocks, for a total of 20 blocks, using fabric from one of my favorite designers – Kate Spain. Somehow we were able to keep this project a secret from our mother. The only thing better than working on a collaborative project with my sister was knowing that our mother would treasure this quilt and the love that went into each stitch! 

Great Granny Square quilt made for my mom

What is your next sewing adventure?

I’m looking forward to retreating in Minnesota this July with a wonderful group of friends. Quilting has allowed me the opportunity to make great friends, and I am fortunate to spend 4-5 days at Gruber’s retreat center each summer with friends from all over the country. After that, maybe QuiltCon 2019 in Nashville!!

QuiltCon 2015 in Austin with my sister

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Meet Sandra Fay

Hi everyone, for those who do not know me, I am Debra Jalbert’s older sister, but not by much!  I have been quilting off and on for about 18 years.  More off than on.  I joined the OrlandoMQG four years ago and try to make at least one or two meetings a year.  I live in New Hampshire so I try to time my visits around either a special event or a meeting at the OrlandoMQG.  I get so inspired by both my sister’s work and everyone else’s’ that I see at the meetings, but when I get back home, life takes over and I don’t get too much done as far as quilting.  

At QuiltCon with my sisters and Victoria Findlay Wolfe

I first learned to quilt when I took a class at Joann’s Fabrics.  At that time, it was a hand quilting class. It was a wall hanging with four different blocks.  I have it somewhere at home, but never took a picture.  My second quilt was one I made for my newborn nephew Noah, who is now 17.  It was a multi colored quilt that I tied.  It took me about two years to get it done.  

First full size quilt made

I currently have a Baby Loc Audrey which I received from my sister a few years ago.  She was my one and only baby until November when she and my other sister Donna, gifted me for my birthday a Singer 301a that was purchased from Jeff.  It was one of his babies.  I was able to take it to the retreat and it has been my go to now.  I love how straight and fast she sews.  I am not a fast sewer, but boy she is.  I have been toying with names, but have not yet settled on one.  She is also my most treasured sewing possession because of who I received it from and how fast that baby is!!!  I sew with my shoes on as I feel I have more control over the speed than going barefoot.

Quilt from Victoria Findlay Wolfe class

My sister Debra really inspires me with her quilting.  I love everything she does.  The colors she chooses, the patterns she designs and the speed at which she often gets them done.  I am lucky if I get one done every couple years.  I need to make more time for this craft that I love!!!

My favorite thing I have made to date, which is still in process, is a quilt I am making for my sister Donna.  She doesn’t know it yet.  I worked on it at the retreat and the top is completed, so now I need to make time to finish her up.  Might not be until my next trip down so I can use Lucey-Lou (Deb’s longarm) to complete her.  Maybe by next Christmas……  Once this project is complete, I have a few ideas but have not yet determied what I want to work on yet.  Too much fabric and not enough time to work with it.

Current quilt top finished at quilt retreat

As to an unknown fact of myself, I like too many things.  Photography, sewing, quilting, crocheting, spending time with friends that I never have enough time to do a lot of any of it.  GRRRR,  I need to try to make more time for each of these things, especially visiting Deb and using Lucey-Lou.  Perfect happiness for me would be to have so much time that I can spend time on all of my likes and actually get something done.  I start too many projects and never seem to be able to get them done, or at least timely.   I need/want more time in my life.

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Meet Sharleen Jespersen

Sharleen served as our past Community Outreach Coordinator and continues to inspire with her generous spirit and amazing quilting skills!

Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I started sewing as a young girl in 4-H as well as in home economics in junior high school.  My Mother and my Grandmother also quilted in their spare time although they didn’t have much of that. They were doing hand piecing mostly and hand quilting. It was hard for me to see that I would EVER do that. Once I learned about rotary cutting and machine piecing I was in.   I first joined a quilt guild in Rochester, Michigan where we lived for 22 years.

We moved to Florida in 2010 and so I think it must have been 2011 when I joined the OMQG. Here I have met so many great people with common interests.

How did you learn to quilt?

Years ago I helped with a quilt project at church that was being tied and decided to look into it a little further and I was hooked. Someone gave me the permission to be a piecer only and that’s how I started.  Now, I try to do my own quilting as much as I am able.

What machine(s) do you drive?

I have been a Bernina girl.  Last Christmas my husband upgraded me from a 165 to a 765 and I’m really enjoying that.

What is your most treasured (sewing related) possession?

I have several prized quilting possessions.
One is the blue and red quilt that you see in the photo.  It is now very well worn. When my Grandmother died in 1960, there was a box under her bed with this quilt in it.  Inside was a note that said to give it to me. I was in grade school and was delighted to use it on my bed.

I have quilts made from my Mom’s first quilt blocks that she made as a teenager in 1936 as well as other quilts made by Mom and Grandma Rush that are very dear to me.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska where by family were some of the very first pioneers.  My husband, myself and our two daughters were all born at the same hospital there. While living in Michigan, I made a quilt for a dear friend and she had a reproduction of one of the blocks painted on her barn.  You can see a photo here.

Today I’m retired and use sewing and quilting as my creative outlet.  Most of my free time is spent helping at our local Food Pantry and sewing with our Days for Girls Team.

I also try to promote and contribute to The 70273 Project by keeping blocks in my purse to stitch while in waiting rooms.  When I get to play, I go to my sewing room.  Right now I’m not doing any large projects.  I seem to get a lot of satisfaction in being a small part of a larger system.  I’m perfectly happy to do a simple block over and over that can be used in a quilt for community outreach.  And, I love seeing my daughter Sarah’s advancing skills in quilting.  In some circumstances, I think that a quilt can provide a tangible hug for someone.  It says, “I see you” and “I know of your struggle.  You are not forgotten”.

Thank you Sharleen for sharing your quilting journey with us.

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Meet Laura Brainard

OMG, I am a Quilter!  My mother and grandmother would be so proud. They both sewed.  My mother made polyester pantsuits (for herself- not Hillary) and my grandmother made hats in New York City to match the dresses purchased by wealthy ladies.  I hated sewing as a child but asked for a sewing machine for my college graduation.  I used it to fix ripped seams once or twice.  

It seems like I started quilting yesterday but I think it was 2 years ago when I was in Alejandrina’s home and saw her stunning modern quilts.  I wanted one, but couldn’t ask for it because my parents taught me better manners.  My only option was to try to make one.  Not only did Alejandrina guide, teach and mentor me through my first quilt but she loaned me one of her machines. It is a wonderful Pfaff Tiptronic 6270. (Is possession 9/10 of the law?)  She took me to my first guild meeting.  What an amazing meeting and group of people. You all inspire me so much.  Sew day came and I thought I would go (since Alejandrina was driving), but I wasn’t really looking forward to it.  Hooked again! I love sew day because everyone encourages you and inspires you with their beautiful quilting.

I couldn’t pick a favorite sewing possession but it would have to be all the beautiful material.  My friend said it best when we were on our way home from the quilt store and she said, “I can’t wait to get home and caress my fabric”.  I now have a lot of fabric and hope I don’t die and make my husband have to figure out what to do with it. 

My first quilt was a square tabletop quilt for my round table.  My next one was one of my favorite quilts, a disappearing 9 patch FSU quilt for my 30 year old son.  It was huge and he loved it. 

My other favorite quilt was a scrappy tree wall hanging for my daughter from the Shannon Brinkley class. I think the reason I liked it so much was my quilting was so much better than before because of the lessons I learned in the Jacquie Gering class.  The classes the guild offers have really been so important to my quilting education.  

I have taken over the whole house with my quilting supplies and work and it gets messy at times.  I shared an office with my husband and now it is my quilting room and his desk. I even moved all his cook books out so I could use the shelves. The guest room has more quilting stuff than guests.

Right now I am working on finishing all my projects.  I have 3 scrap quilts I am working on and they all involve little pieces.

There may need to be Quilters Anonymous group for me because I have become an addict. I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything but quilt. I think a big part of why  I  became a quilter is because of our guild.  I am in awe of the charity work and how everyone just makes it happen. I started quilting right before the guild started working on the pulse quilts and was worried about being able to make one block.  Before I knew it I had made a whole top and sewed it together.  At a sew day, I was encouraged to take a top, batting and back home to quilt.  I wasn’t sure of my skills but jumped in.  It was just the beginning.  The guild gives me the encouragement to go beyond my comfort zone while having fun.  

Thank you so much Laura for sharing a bit more about yourself!

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Meet Mary Smart

Meet Mary Smart 

Mary serves on the Board as our current Secretary. You can thank her for the detailed meeting minutes posted on our blog each month. Next time you see her with her iPad out at a meeting you may want to say "Cheese"!

Mary at Blue Springs State Park

Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I’ve sewn since junior high, took my portable Singer across the country to college with me, made clothing from time to time including little girl clothes for my daughter, but mostly used it to make curtains or repair things till I joined a quilt guild in a small Montana town in 1995 and went full-bore quilt-nut. I joined OMQG in November 2014

How did you learn to quilt?

When I moved to Montana, I wasn’t working, didn’t know anyone but my husband, and there was a wonderful quilt shop I started to frequent. First I made a Jacket Jazz jacket for my mother (a great introduction to patchwork), and attended a meeting about forming a local quilt guild I’d seen advertised on posters. I’ve been a quiltaholic ever since. There was a ton of experience in that group, and there was a wonderful quilt shop, so everything fell into place -- access to great fabric and books, new friends with years of experience making quilts, and lots of time to sew.  I was self-taught from books - we didn’t even have Sew Days - but I had lots of support and resources.

Feathered Star is the kind of quilting I was doing in 2000 on my domestic machine - machine trapunto, very traditional.

What machine(s) do you drive?

A 12-13 year old Bernina Virtuosa 160 Quilters Edition, a Featherweight and a vintage Kenmore 1030 I use at Sew Days and classes, and an APQS Millenium longarm machine I got in 2003 with stitch regulation but nothing else computerized.

What and/or who inspires you?

Early I was inspired by very traditional quilts I loved and wanted to own, so I was inspired then by Harriet Hargrave, Fons & Porter, Anita Shackelford, Karen McTavish, and every quilt I saw. Now I look for inspiration on Instragram, bookmarking pictures of wonderful quilting daily, and from Angela Walters (in her many books, classes in person and online, her special exhibit at QuiltCon 2017) and other longarm quilters who do amazing work.  Ongoing, I am inspired by all quilt and all quilters – guild Show N Tell, quilt shows, magazines, and books.

What is your most treasured (sewing related) possession?

A wonderful Irises quilt made by my grandmother but left unquilted, which my mother had hand-quilted by a family friend, and then was on my daughter’s bed for years. I didn’t make it, but I love it for the family connection; and I have it but it’s not even mine, it’s really my daughter’s.

Irises - quilt made by my grandmother - is my favorite sewing-related possession.

Do you sew with your shoes on or off?

Shoes off at home, because I only put them on when I go out – but I leave them on at Sew Days and retreats, because I’m so excited to start sewing I don’t think about them!

What is your favorite thing you’ve made to date?

Two Gravity quilts, designed by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts. I wanted to make one when I first saw a picture – a color wheel star of 114 different colors of Kona solids. It was fun to make and lots of fun to quilt, but it’s also a vibrant rainbow of color that makes me smile everyday.  I made the second one for my daughter. Someday maybe I’ll make it again with scraps and prints.

One of my favorites, Swatch, designed by Modern Quilt Studio - I have never had it at Show n Tell (my latest quilt hasn't been either).

What is your next sewing adventure?

I am currently trying to make a quilt without a pattern, something I rarely do because I’m not very good at it. I spent a year buying “retro” prints to make a quilt for my retro husband, and so far I have almost finished putting them together in a 70" circle of wedges cut with a 2-piece ruler. I have a lot of ideas to finish the quilt, but I am not sure how it'll go -- I'm leaving open the possibility of it turning into a big bunch of scraps instead of a quilt. If I get it done, it won't be pretty, but I hope it's fun. I'm making it up as I go - a real challenge for me. And in this one, it's the fabric not the quilting that is the focus.

My sewing space - not quite as cramped as it looks but definitely as full of stuff.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

A Quilt of Valor I quilted for a Florida quiltmaker was in a special QOV display in the National Quilt Museum in Paducah for several months a few years ago. The quilts were given to veterans on Veterans Day at the end of the display. It was exciting to know something I worked on was in the museum, but neither the quilt maker nor I got there to see it.

Wildcard question: (Pick a question from the list or make up your own interview question.)  What do I love about quilting?

I love watching the layers of a quilt come together, with the sculptural effect that the quilting stitches add, right under my hands. It takes lot of time to improve your quilting skills to the point where it’s more fun than frustratingly short of what you want to do – but it’s worth the effort – and I say that even though I’m still not where I’d like to be with quilting. It’s the one thing I do that makes time pass without my noticing – my flow experience.

This is a picture of my last quilt quilted.

You can find Mary on Instagram @maryesmart

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Meet Gail Peck

I'm Gail Peck and I'm a newbie with this whole quilt guild thing. Although I've been sewing since I was 13, having learned the basics in Home Ec class, for many years my main focus was on garments for myself and my brood of four sons. Along the way home decorator sewing was added to my repertoire. Although I have no photographic proof of it, I began making quilts more than 30 years ago; mostly one or so, every few years, as our needs dictated.

I heard about the Linus project from someone and made about three for them including the pinwheel quilt.

A gift quilt

A remake of a quilt pattern I made for my youngest son when he went to FSU 14 years ago

As a published photographer it pains me to admit that my vast photo library is crazy out of order, so most of the very recent work is nowhere to be found. Yikes!! For nearly ten years I sold art photography at markets and art festivals, however, I needed my husband's help setting up so when his job became just too demanding, I shut down my business and began looking for something new to occupy my time. A notice in the Orlando Sentinel caught my eye: Days for Girls was looking for people that sew. Although I'd never heard of it before it seemed like a charity where I might fit in and I did. Meeting Sharleen, Sarah, Beth, Leslie and others really changed my life as far as sewing is concerned. They told me about the guild and eventually I went to a meeting and was hooked. 

Bruce and Baxter - quilt made with half square triangles

The back with Baxie

Prior to meeting them, I only did hand quilting. Not because I am a glutton for punishment but because I found it both relaxing and easier than machine quilting which I'd tried years and years ago. Now, however, I've got the hang of it, not free motion just yet, but I'm fairly decent with a straight line.

here is my last hand quilted project for a former co worker who had tried to have a baby for more than ten years

Hand quilted seven years ago...I remember being so proud of this bold quilt in the zig zag pattern. I made if for my son in London and gave it to him when he came home for Christmas. Could not wait for him to open it!! 

I had the honor of helping Pam Paisley learn to put a quilt together in November 2015 which she worked on in my then sewing/photography space. Her husband got hooked as well! 

Pam learning

Because we have made some crazy life changes in the last four or so months, I've not begun any new projects, however, I finally completed, albeit not that great, the quilt I'd brought to Vancouver half quilted. I do love a seriously scrappy quilt and this one is just that, lending a little bit of funkiness to our new surroundings. It is so great having all these pieces to remind me of home and all of the quilts I've made for loved ones as well as charity. My plan was to hook up with other quilters during our year in Vancouver, however, two months later that is yet to happen. Fabric is crazy expensive here. Try $17.99 per meter which I've now learned is 3 inches more than a yard. I'm talking ordinary cottons my friends.

The scrappy quilt I brought with us to Vancouver

I pretty much like graphic, simple quilts, with bold color. I'm also a lover of using estate sale fabrics when I can find them. Nothing like making new with something old. Speaking of which we are having a new year with old folks!

Charity quilt for OrlandoMQG

Another gray one with solids and spiral quilting

You can follow Gail on her blog Camera Crazy. It's nice to still get our "Gail fix" until she returns to Orlando. 

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