FCQ members may remember my hubby, Tom, from the holiday
luncheon. We've been married for almost 18 years. He's a
classically trained musician who has played the organ for
churches throughout the DC metro area for 40 years. Although now
retired, he spent almost 30 years at Mrs. K's Toll House, so you
can imagine how good the meals are at our house (I mean, have
you SEEN my waistline?). I have a son and daughter, Debbie, who
lives in Columbia and my son's two children live in New Jersey
with their mother. It's always a joy to have them visit during
school breaks.
How long have you been in Maryland?
My first husband had a military career, so we've actually lived
in Maryland three times; most recently, I moved here in 1980 for
what I thought was a three year tour. Guess that turned out to
be like Gilligan's three-hour tour!!
How is our state different than living on the West Coast?
Actually, my brother-in-law was originally from Maryland, so we
used to joke that he and I just traded places. The Maryland
landscape is fairly similar to Washington State, but the
evergreens are more predominant at home. I don't believe I've
ever fully adjusted to the hot, humid summers here or the air
quality. However, the historic sites around are very interesting
and I've loved some of the day trips we've taken.
Why do you plan to return?
I come from a big family. I'm the youngest of six girls and
there are loads of cousins. However, there is a large gap in the
ages between myself the rest of my sisters so I'm much closer in
age to my nieces and nephews. I feel like I've lost many happy
memories by living so far from them. At any rate, I've always
thought of the Puget Sound area as "home" (remember the plans
for a three-year tour?) and now that Tom is retired, I want to
get settled out there while I'm still under 60. I don't care
what employers say about age discrimination, it's definitely a
factor in their decisions.
Who taught you to sew and when did you start quilting?
My older sisters and my mother taught me how to sew—much of the
lessons by just watching them. Back then, the sewing was mostly
for clothes, and I have made formals and even a wedding dress or
two. However, since I began quilting, there hasn't been much
interest in garments.
I began quilting late in 1995. I know the date because I still
have the magazine that "jumped" off the shelf and got me
started.
There was a Christmas wall hanging on the cover that featured
some cardinals. I didn't know much at all about quilting, but
was able to follow the directions enough that I made it and
still hang it every year. It certainly taught me how much I
enjoyed the process, but also how little I knew. That's when I
started watching "Simply Quilts" and taking classes from
Cottonseed Glory.
Other hobbies and/or interests?
I also knit, crochet, embroider, and dabble in counted cross
stitch. I love reading, camping, cooking and painting.
What was it like working in downtown DC on 9/11 and how did it
change you?
At the time of the attack, I was working in an office on
Pennsylvania Ave. near the National Archives. We always had the
news channel on the TV in our reception area and were gathered
in front of it when the second plane hit. When the third plane
hit the Pentagon, we could see the actual smoke. I think those
horrific events changed everyone remotely close to the sites and
I was no exception. I drove around for a couple of months
thereafter with emergency gear in my car trunk. My employer
ordered survival kits to keep at our desks. Eventually, I
decided that I just couldn't deal with the stress any longer. So
I changed my priorities and am much happier now that I'm working
part-time in a much less demanding position.
AS
FCQ PRESIDENT
Do you think having five sisters and growing up with a large
extended family prepared you for a leadership role in FCQ?
There is certainly the aspect of respecting opinions other than
your own (trying to see a situation from the viewpoint of
others) and that probably comes from the large family. I've led
other groups (Masonic, Girl Scouts, etc.) so I knew the basics.
I think the important thing I've tried to do is make most
decisions in consultation with the board and to promote
discussion of possibilities.
Why did you join Faithful Circle and how did you become
president?
I was taking classes and watching TV programs. I knew about
guilds, but hadn't connected with one. Luckily, I ran across the
ad for the 2002 quilt show and attended in the hopes of joining.
I wanted to make some new friends as well as learn more about
quilting. FCQ has FAR surpassed my expectations in all areas!
Claudia Pearce asked me to consider the office before the 2004
quilt show and I knew I wanted to "give back" to the guild in
some way.
You've said that "West Wing" is one of your favorite TV shows?
How does your tenure compare to the term of Josiah Bartlett?
I think it's a stretch to compare at all. If anything, I think
the similarity would be that we both had the luck to have good
fellow officers/staff. Other than that, Rising Phoenix and Town
Hill B & B are NICE, but I doubt they'd stack up against Camp
David!
What projects or events will be your legacy?
I'm just delighted that Pam Wilson arrived in our guild and
generously donated her time and talent so that we've ended up
with one of the best Web sites around. (Pam, don't you DARE edit
this out!) The information this provides and the money it has
saved on newsletters are wonderful!
It was also a highpoint to begin a few joint education projects
with Milltown Quilt Guild. The love of quilting is great to
share! When possible, sharing instructors and class availability
only helps members of both groups.
Some would say that quilting is a declining art. Do you agree
and how can Faithful Circle encourage and promote quilting to
the next generation?
I've heard that the industry peaked in 2002, but it's difficult
to believe when I know how much my friends and I invest in quilt
supplies on an on-going basis. However, there have been shop
closings and we all know how the quilt department at JoAnn's has
shrunk. I believe there will always be fads followed by loss of
interest, but quilting has survived for centuries and will
always have a loyal following.
Quilting is nostalgic. Many people do not realize that it has
also evolved into an art form and a creative means for
expression. I believe that as younger generations observe their
mothers, grandmothers, aunts or even neighbors producing lovely
quilts, they will want to learn and pass the heritage to their
children as well.
It would be wonderful if guilds could organize week-long summer
"camps" for 10- to 17-year-olds and help them select fabric and
a suitable project to accomplish in that time frame and end up
with a finished lap quilt or wall hanging. This would be a very
ambitious undertaking, but I know we have members with energy to
share. Something similar could tie-in nicely to a girl scout
service project if the finished items were donated to Project
Linus or to the wounded at Walter Reed. It would also be
wonderful if local quilt shops participated as it would
certainly promote interest in the next generation of fabric
buyers!
Why is the annual retreat so important for the guild?
I know there are other retreats and even quilt-themed cruises,
but I believe it's important for the guild to sponsor an event
each year that is open to both day and night group members. This
is a great way for newer members to get to know each other, and
it provides a reasonably-priced "get-away" where the focus is
not only on quilting but also on fun. When you've spent time
laughing so hard the tears roll, you know you've left your
worries behind! Quilting, peaceful surroundings, laughter…who
wouldn't feel better after that?
You have been an advocate for updating and enforcing the guild's
bylaws and job descriptions. Why the emphasis on rules?
I guess I believe they were drafted for good reason and unless
the members wish to change/amend the bylaws or policies, we
should follow them whenever possible. It's not always easy, but
feelings get hurt if exceptions are made sometimes and not at
other times. It also adds continuity to the guild if we can rely
on some agreed upon rules to follow.
Any regrets or disappointments about your years as president?
None
What advice do you have for the new board members and committee
chairs?
Maybe just to rely on each other and keep lines of communication
open (in as many directions as possible).
REGARDING
THE QUILT SHOW
So, in your opinion, how did it go—overall?
I thought it was very successful; not just during the three days
we were open, but during the planning stages as well. Obviously
Peg McClelland did an outstanding job!
As "hanging" chair, you were in charge of the layout for the
entire show. How did technology help?
The idea of using digital photos was great. I was able to easily
obtain thumbnail photos to create a rough layout and then I
photocopied it for use by our committee. There were only a few
minor changes at the last minute and we finished hours earlier
than previous years. I'd highly recommend the digital option in
the future.
REGARDING
YOUR QUILTS
You are a very versatile quilter and are always trying new
techniques. Which projects give you the most satisfaction? Which
are the most challenging? Why?
I love exploring and learning new things. I guess that spills
over into quilting also. I feel as if I need to become more
proficient though, so I really enjoy all types of classes. It's
true that you always come away with some new bit of knowledge or
an interesting new method. There is such enormous satisfaction
when I give a quilt to someone and feel that it truly touches
them. Deciding the quilt pattern, color, style, etc., which best
fits the recipient is something I give a lot of thought to and
find quite difficult at times.
What special fabrics sneak their way into your stash?
I have quite a group of Oriental
fabrics but find that the logic side
of my brain stops me from acquiring more without a specific
project in mind. I don't know who installed the "logic side,"
but I wish I could short-circuit it more often! I also find it
very difficult to resist buying holiday fabrics. My theory there
is the "logic side" is bypassed because of the association we
have with the good times and memories of holidays. How's that
for rationalization???
Tell us about your quilt which won a ribbon at the Howard County
Fair?
My husband was responsible for me entering quilts in the Howard
and Maryland State fair for a couple of years. I was very amazed
that I won a few ribbons! Butterflies in the Arbor was made from
batiks given to me at the first retreat I organized. It won a
blue ribbon at county and a red at state. I also won a red
ribbon at both fairs the previous year for a flannel sampler I
made from a class at Cottonseed Glory.
What events inspired "After the Clouds" and did this quilt help
heal the hurt?
Maybe I was just in a philosophical mood, but it was the first
time a quilt not only spoke to me, but seemed to yell. It
started as a passing thought because so many people bring up the
rain and clouds when I talk about moving to the Pacific
Northwest. Then, the more I sewed, the more I realized that I've
certainly faced "clouds" that weren't in the sky…just as many of
my friends have (who doesn't?). The more I quilted, the more I
remembered Bible verses promising rainbows as a covenant and
started believing that the "rainbows" could be symbolic of
better times to come.
Purely hypothetical: assume you are a genetic engineer and can
create a cloned cyberquilter from the DNA of our members. Which
genes would you pool?
I love this question! I know that many members have some (or
many) of these same qualities, but here's my dream "recipe":
Susan Adams:
Ability to decorate with quilts
Sue Campise: Party girl
Della LeConte: Appliqué artistry
Beth Allendoerfer: Engineering-In-A-Day
Emily Wheeler: Dancing shoes
Freda Atkins: Graciousness
Margo Cramer: Hand Quilting
Bonnie Dank: Patriotism
Nancy Evans: Cookie baking (quilters live not by sizing alone!)
Eleanor Fabiszak: Eye for color combos
Virginia Fry: Tire-changing ability; general sewing knowledge
Debra Gable: Quirky views
Jackie Hall: Vivaciousness
Gwen Hartong: Love of history
Pat Heitmann: Ten-quilts-before breakfast!
Leah Hurwich: Touch of pink (that flamingo thing)
Maureen Craig: Love of antique quilts
Roma Knee: Adventurous spirit (have her explain candling!)
Barbara Laskowski: "It's ONLY quilting" attitude
Nancy Martin: Copyright police
Carolyn May: Steadfast devotion to family and friends
Peg McClelland: Calm leadership
Nancy Meier: Her orange coat (you mean, it's not a neutral?)
Sue Moats: Commitment to breast cancer causes
Juliann Nankervis: Luck winning raffle quilts
Maria O'Haver: Endless energy and generosity
Cynthia Porter: Lead foot
Colleen Prosise: Crazy quilt designs
Sheila Riess: Artistic ability
Joyce Ritter: Fabric stash choices
Christine Fisher: Flat quilts
Carol Roberts: Love of batiks and martinis (not necessarily in
that order)
Jane Scott: Self control (really??? one project at a time?)
Bonnie Stapleton: Ability to control adolescents (and she also
works at a school)
Monica Thomas: Courage
Pam Wilson: Everything
Rita Plonski: Copyright outlaw
Joyce Schneider: Paper piecing
Kenzie Preston: After her first quilt, I can't wait to see her
20th!
Stir above ingredients together and
fold in heaps of laughter and you will have a perfect quilter!
PAM TO IRMA:
FCQ has been blessed by your leadership.
We will miss you and wish you every happiness as you relocate to
the West Coast.
