Faithful Circle Quilters Guild - Columbia, Maryland

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With Us!

FAITHFUL CIRCLE
QUILTERS
P.O. Box 6231
Columbia, MD
21045

Irma Bast:
Hail and Farewell
Interview with Pam Wilson
MAY 2006

The commander-in-chief of a quilting guild wears many hats. She must be a parliamentarian, a cheerleader, an ambassador, a referee, a spokesperson, and a recruiter too. Endless energy, a sympathetic ear, and a sense of humor are necessary to create consensus among creative individuals of varying ages, backgrounds, interests, and skills.

Irma Bast has served as leader of Faithful Circle Quilters since June 2004. She has worn her many "hats" with style and grace. As she prepares to pass the gavel to the next president, Irma and I talked about our guild, her presidency, and quilting in general. She and her husband will be leaving Maryland soon--relocating to be closer to her family in Washington State.

Madam President, tell us about your husband and your children?
Are you a grandma yet?
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.

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.

Irma and her sisters

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).

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.

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 orientals 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 Applique artistry

Beth Allendoerfer Engineering-In-A-Day

Emily Wheeler Dancing shoes

Freda Atkins Graciousness

Margo Cramer Handquilting

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.

What FCQ members say about Irma
Photos of some of Irma's favorite quilts