When I started thinking about my quilting biography, I
realized how many people had helped me. Quilting is such an important part of
my life. This story includes just a few of the people so I hope no one who
reads it feels like they are left out.
1968: As newlyweds my husband, Terry and I moved to
Hamilton Ontario. His aunt Marie was the
first person to you inspire me. We went to the mills in Waterloo, chose
polyester fabrics and a pattern. With
one paper template and scissors I cut out all the triangles, sewed them
together and stored the finish blocks under a rug. The only flat place
available. Marie arranged for the
Mennonite ladies in Almira to hand quilt it and it is still used in our home to
this date.
1974 and more
After work and travel
came babies. Terry’s “Gran” inspired me with the first quilt that she sent to
our new daughter. Our friends were having babies too so I was inspired to use
my appliqué and embroidery skills to design mini baby quilts. I also made clowns for the children, the
Children’s Hospital, and gift shop.
1980 and more
Chatelaine magazine published their Provincial
Flowers of Canada quilt design and the opportunity for appliqué was
irresistible. I didn’t like the orange
lilies or the repeating patterns so I design blocks based on the flowers in our
front yard. There is deadly nightshade,
lily of the valley, jack in the pulpit, clover, milkweed, etc. This is my favourite quilt.
1991and more
We moved here and I met Elaine Becker and she liked
quilting. I learned about rotary
cutters, cutting boards and real patterns. We quilted together and she taught
me so much. I finally bought a sewing
machine with 18 different designs and the ability to appliqué, quilt and do
free motion. I still love my Janome
5018. I believe it’s nickname is
workhorse.
I joined crescent
quilters in 2006. I was inspired
by the beautiful pieces created by this talented group of ladies. I went to my first quilting class,
tessellating squares given by Diane Stevenson.
I challenged myself
with new and interesting ways to create community quilts. Jean Husband showed
me an I Spy pattern that I’ve never been able to stop using. Shelagh Conners always had a really
interesting fabric and her I spy is even easier. I really liked doggie in the window too. I may have a reputation for making too many I
Spies
I am sure some of you
will remember this friendship star quilt where many people contributed blocks
for this fabulous result.
I enjoyed learning
to do seminal piecing and had fun designing these ladies to put on the back of
our French door.
2011 to 2015. Some quilts take longer than others
to finish.
Lynne M. was my inspiration to even try and think about
attempting a Judy Niemeyer quilt. I
chose Thistle Pod but converted it into a Starry Starry Night to complement a
Hubble telescope photograph that Terry had printed. It was complicated but I loved making
it. It was the first time I had quilting
done by a long arm quilting expert.
Classes with Nancy Chang and Lauri Swim helped improve my
skills.
Cindy Needham blew me out of the water. I love free motion quilting but…… I keep this little pillow just to remind me that I can, at least I think I can.
My T-shirt quilts were all made on request. With my newly acquired skills and a good library book on T-shirt quilts, I started.
Putting these irregular sized pieces together was rather
like a jigsaw puzzle and doing the free motion quilting was a joy.
Dear Jane quilt 2006-2020
Hand piecing these blocks was a joy and a passion. There were so many techniques to learn that once I finished all the patterns in the book I started to add a few of my own. My goal was to make a tablecloth, a covering for the worktable in my sewing room. Once I assembled the blocks I could not figure out how to arrange them. Faith (Macleod) basted the quilt for me and I stitched in the ditch it until it was done. I even made a coffee table cover out of some of the extras. I’m super pleased with the results but I don’t think I will ever use a black background again.
2018 - 2020
Quilting became a big part of my rehab after I had a set-back in 2018. The Quilter Maker’s Gift pattern book #1 was just what the doctor ordered. The patterns for each block became increasingly difficult as you went through the book. The instructions were clear. The quilt was finished by November.
- making more community quilts. Thanks Donna M. for the inspiration.
- working on the Canadiana quilt, Faith made it
possible for me to attend the classes.
-
tackling another Judy Niemeyer pattern with modifications for my
grandson who is growing too tall for
his bed.
I’m sure will all get through this. Thank you, stay safe, and happy Quilting.
Carol Peel
3 comments:
This is fabulous! It really is a quilt show. When we get back in person let’s make sure we have Carol do a quilt show.
Bravo, The canoe quilt is one of my favourites.
Truly inspiring, Carol! Thank you for sharing.
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