MPS Member Spotlight

When Marcia C. isn’t quilting, she loves to travel. Here she is in Ireland last year. Another fun fact about Marcia is that she has lots of browns but very few yellows and oranges in her fabric stash! Today, we’re happy to share some tidbits about Marcia and her quilting adventures.

How long have you been quilting? About 20 years.

Who taught you to quilt?  I taught myself, although as a child I watched my grandmother quilt by hand on a frame in her living room. Every grandchild was gifted a quilt from her when we graduated from high school. I took my first quilting class in the late 1990s at the Pine Needle in Lake Oswego. I recently visited the shop’s closing and walked around the classroom where it all started!

What is your most and least favorite parts of the quilting process? My favorite is the planning stage and buying the fabric—which I do not need! My least favorite is actually getting the top to the quilter, or quilting  it myself on my domestic machine.  I do not like basting the top prior to quilting it.  I do enjoy the entire process, but I get bored at certain points and want to move on!

Which quilt that you’ve made are you most proud of? I made myself a Christmas quilt and hand quilted it. I use it year-round. The more I use it the softer it gets. I’m also proud of this UFO which I rediscovered after  I moved about 10 years ago. I hand appliqued it and then quilted it on my domestic machine before I lost it again!

What’s your sewing space like? I have a bedroom that I have conveniently made into my quilting space, but also like to sit in my living room where the light is good and do hand work such as applique. I have 2 Bernina sewing machines—one I have had for 15 years and love it, the other is newer and I am still getting used to it. My goal for this year is to get a peg board to organize all my rulers, cutters, etc.

While you quilt do you watch TV or listen to music, podcasts, or audio books?  I like to listen to the American Patchwork & Quilting podcast hosted by Pat Sloan or podcasts on NPR such as “Fresh Air “ and “This American Life.” I am often watching a college basketball or football game on TV.

Who is your favorite quilt designer? I am enthralled with the Australian quilt designer Jen Kingwell and have several of her patterns which I hope to make someday. She often has houses in her quilts which is way cool.

What is your favorite snack while quilting? I can get a lot done with a glass of wine with some cheese and crackers.

What are you working on right now? A hand-pieced hexagon quilt (what was I thinking?!) in addition to finishing up two quilts which I started last year.  My daughter recently asked me to make her a quilt from the new “fake fur” but I am still thinking that one through!

Submitted by Barbara S.