Member Highlight

So happy to welcome Alejandrina to our Member Highlight page.

What draws you to modern quilting?

I’m a lover of texture and bold graphics, with little room for cuteness. Give me geometry, asymmetry, minimalism, color block, abstract fabric designs. Modern quilting is all that, so it fits right in. Currently I’m particularly drawn to my mountains of scrap, improvising (hail Debra Jalbert and Sarah Lauzon), but the scrap pile is not getting any smaller. Improvisation is so liberating and exhausting at the same time but ultimately most rewarding.

I’m very happy to see the resurgence of hand work: needle turn applique and hand quilting are favorite techniques and I love using them in a modern setting. 

    

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced quilter?  

I’m probably an intermediate quilter, if only because I’ve been doing it for so long. Some techniques I do well, others not so much. I used to agonize because not all points matched; now I don’t worry or choose a pattern where perfect points don’t count; that must be what “intermediate” means.

    

How long have you been quilting?

In the late 1980s we used to live 30 minutes from Lancaster, PA, Amish country and would often go there for a Saturday trip. I loved all those quilts but never thought to attempt them, as I was into cross-stitch. One weekend we stopped in a quilt shop and, on a whim, signed up (husband and I) for a quilting class that was none other than needle-turn applique but we didn’t know what that was. One of my most cherished mental images is thinking of my husband, in a business suit and tie, in an airplane, taking out his plastic container with bits of fabric and attempt to sew them onto a background. Can you imagine the other passengers’ looks?

Mid-1990s, I signed up for a community college quilting class where everything was by hand. What a joy was to discover the rotary cutter after that! Next came my trusty Pfaff  and a huge Horn cabinet and more fabric that is advisable.

At that time there was very little modern quilting, so I stuck to more traditional forms, even though I was lucky to live near a couple of quilt shops that were, at a minimum, contemporary. I used to do a lot of needle-turn applique because I’ve had very good teachers: my friend Joy Shelton and the many classes with Mary Sorensen. But I didn’t know that I loved modern quilting until...I saw the Gee’s Bend article in the New York Times and my world completely changed. At about that time a friend mentioned the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild, thinking I’d enjoy the group. Was she right! When I joined there were about 25-30 members; I am absolutely enchanted with the Guild’s growth, all my new friends and our 10 years in the bag. Go OMQG!!

  

Besides quilting what activities do you enjoy? 

I like to read and cook. At this point, all three enthusiasms are getting in each other’s way so I’m struggling to find the happy balance point. Maybe it’s a part of getting old, who knows. I’ve been retired for a couple of years and I’m still looking for the daily structure that “going to work” provides. All I DO know is I’m happiest when I’m sewing.

What types of workshops, speakers, challenges, do you enjoy?

I love to learn or improve techniques. Since closet(s) are bulging with unfinished projects, I’m happy with classes that show a technique and don’t expect me to finish anything. It took a while to realize that not everything must be completely done. The Guild’s challenges, bees and special interest groups have been very beneficial to try new things. Last but not least, I love making quilts for others -- the Pulse quilts or the 70273 Project in addition to our yearly initiatives. The Guild has been a powerful force in giving to the community and I love it all the more for it.

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Member Highlight - Meet Pamela Edwards

GUILD HIGHLIGHT
Meet Pamela Edwards

Pamela graciously accepted to answer a quilty version of the Proust Questionaire.  Pamela is a new-ish member of the Guild, next time you see her go and say Hi! (I know I will ask her about her vegan, plant base cooking classes).

1.What is your idea of the perfect quilt?
One that is well made and has a beautiful design.

2. What is your idea of the worst quilt?
One that is not sewn together properly.

3. What kind of quilter are you?
I am a beginner quilter. I have many quilts started and have to concentrate on completing them before getting excited about a new project.

4. Which quilters do you most admire?
Amish and the Ladies of Gee’s Bend, Alabama

5. What is your most treasured stash of fabric?
Batiks

6. How does quilting make you feel?
Wonderful

7.Which quilting technique you most likely to ignore?
Hand sewing the binding.

8. On what occasion do you take a short cut in quilting?
Sewing the binding on the machine.

9. Which part of the quilting process do you enjoy the least?
Cutting my material incorrectly and layering the quilt.

10. Which part of the quilting process do you enjoy the most?
Picking out fabrics for my stash. I do not always know what I will make ahead of time. 

11. Which tool do you use most?
A Rotary cutter and seam ripper

12. For whom do you quilt?
I have quilted for my family, friends and those in the community.

13. Would you prefer to quilt solo or in group?
I enjoy both. 

14. Apart from quilting, which other talent do you have?
I teach vegan and plant-based cooking classes. Also, I am Children’s Ministry leader at my church.

15.Which quilting technique would you want to learn?
There are several I would like to learn: Long Arm quilting, Foundation piecing and new techniques for English Paper Piecing (EPP) 

16.What do you consider your greatest quilting achievement?
Completing a quilt.

17.Where do you quilt?
At home on my sewing machine.

18.What is your most treasured sewing machine?
My sister and I first learned to sew around 11 or 12 years old and we had a child sewing machine which we quickly learned was not good enough to make our own clothes. We saved our money and purchased a Kenmore machine.  It unfortunately was stolen, but it will always be a treasure for me. 

19. How do you keep your sewjo/quiltjo?
Starting new project. 

20.Who are your favourite fabric designers?
I do not have one.

21.Which is your favourite quilt designer?
I do not have one.

22. In which quilting category would you fit?
I like to make wonky quilts or to change a traditional pattern. 

23. Would you have recommendations, quilty related or not?
I would recommend everyone to get in a healthy lifestyle to improve their health.

24. Any final words?
I enjoy traveling and meeting new people. The joy on someone’s face when they have enjoyed your work.

 

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Show us a winning quilt!

Leftovers #7 - Debra J won 1st place for Improvisation at Quiltcon 2018

How the idea of the quilt came to you? Leftovers #7 is from a series of quills that began with the intent of using leftover fabric pieces from previously completed quilts and using tiny piecing. I have 13 'Leftovers' quilts now of various sizes.

What was your inspiration? I always want to use as much of my fabric as possible without too much waste.  I like to keep a very small stash and use what I have. I think I'm a thrifty quilter too and that influences my work sometimes.

I didn't intend for this quilt to enter the show, I thought it was too scrappy and not very modern. I really just made it for myself. My daughter insisted I enter because she liked it, so I followed her suggestion. Two other quilts in this series were juried into Quiltcon in 2017 and 2019. This quilt was in Quiltcon 2018. 

What steps were involved in the submission of the quilt? The MQG has a form with detailed instructions on entering your quilts, if you follow it step by step, and just take your time, it's not too nerve racking. The MQG is also very good at answering questions you may have about filling out the form. Most times when I send in a question, I receive a reply in a day or two.

Taking a good photo of your quilt takes a bit of practice. The ideal picture will show your quilt as square and flat as possible. If the quilt is small enough, I take a picture of the quilt laying on the ground instead of hanging. I take a LOT of pictures, outside in early morning sunlight to try to get the photo showing just the right color and definition. Afterwards I go through them all to find the best one. 

Yes, I will submit more quilts, I love how the MQG showcases modern quilts and I feel like I fit right in. I already feel like a winner when I have a quilt juried in. The extra surprise of winning a ribbon was just icing on a delicious cake. 

Unmoderm made modern Challenge - Kate E.
I made the quilt for a Guild Challenge (#unmodernmademodern) and decided to enter it as it was original and I was very proud of how it came out.

I have  entered quilts into the Cabin Fever Quilt Guild shows when I was a member.  Many many years ago, I also entered a quilt into a  Quiltmaker contest for “my cup of tea” and it hung in their gallery for a month or 2.

To submit this I only had to do an online entry form and send it on with the quilt. Very easy. They sent me an email letting me know I won, I was surprised and proud.  I did call several friends to let them know right away.

I would probably enter other quilts as long as I felt they were special.. I think that is what motivates me, creating something that feels special.

Water Fall - Sarah L. won Handi Quilter Excellence Award at Quiltcon 2019
How the idea of the quilt came to you?  Glad you asked!  It was the product of our very own Orlando MQG improv bee.  The prompt we were working on was black and white high contrast with black as the negative space.  I saw the photograph by artist Minor White called “Watkins Glen, New York”.  That was my inspiration point.  When I made the small block for the bee quilt, it became this abstract moonlit waterfall with a mid-century modern vibe.  Immediately after that study I knew I wanted to make it bigger.  The bigger one added another dimension by using the golden ratio to calculate proportions.  Fun fact, the other one that got in this year was also a product of an Orlando MQG challenge.  Just sayin’.  You can see some progress pics at www.sarahjlauzon.com

Did you make this quilt specifically for a show?  Yeah, kind of.  I made it knowing I wanted to give it a try for Quiltcon, but I also made it knowing I just needed to and wanted to.  If it didn’t get in, I was going to love it anyway.   Actually, I have a friend who is an art collector who said he was really into it. (P.S.  This friend liking this quilt is as much of, if not more than, an honor to me as the ribbon it received.  I was just going to give it to him, but now I might have to finish the study for him.)

Was it the first time you entered a quilt to show?  No.  First time was Quiltcon 2018.

What steps were involved in the submission of the quilt?  I knew from the get go I need a really good straight on full shot, so I used my backyard ivy wall on a not too sunny day to get good contrast and tone.  I also needed a detail shot so I tried to get one that showed the most amount of detail in one frame while still giving reference to the overall quilt.  Then I needed to fill out the MQG’s submission form which includes writing a blub about the quilt (tried to be detailed, yet concise).  You can view that form even if you don’t intend to enter.  It’s kind of interesting.  I also went a step further.  After all the talk about derivative work in the MQG in the past, I still have some lingering anxiety about it even though I’m really clear on how I feel about it.  So I checked in with a professional in the fine art world to get an opinion since I used a photograph as an inspiration point. That just helped me push the submit button.

How did it feel?  See video

 

Will you submit other quilts?  Yes.  I’d like to try for some other shows too.  I think it’s a good motivator for myself as an artist to be working on something that I could enter into a show each year.

Would you like to share anything else?  So there’s this thing called imposter syndrome.  Let me tell you, it’s real.  In my professional life I’ve had a lot of training and experience in dealing with situations where I am under the microscope, including highly competitive environments, presenting ideas to those who may, well, tear you apart, and speaking to groups from executives to a crowds of 16,000 people.  All this didn’t prepare me to have my artwork front and center on the Winners Row.
I learned two big lessons from this:
1) Just about every artist feels this way.  When I opened up to other artists, they had stories of similar experiences.  There is a great podcast episode that Hillary Goodwin (@entropyalwayswins) posted about after QuiltCon. Link is here.  I needed to hear that.
2) There were a series of events, and some conscious decisions, that led me to put the quilt in the box and mail it not feeling it was the absolute best work I could do.   This was very much against my nature.  I mean, it was ready to go, and it was good work, but there are details I wish I could have had the bandwidth to fix in retrospect.  I’m not going to go into detail about what, why, or pick myself apart.  But I now know this, having confidence that it was my very very best product would have helped a bit with the aforementioned syndrome. 

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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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January Newsletter

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September Newsletter

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Member Highlight - Wendy Yates

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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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