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Virginia Fry: An FCQ Original
Interview with Pam Wilson
SEPTEMBER 2005
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The start of her sewing career was memorable for all the wrong reasons. As a first-grader, she stitched through her finger while using the family's treadle sewing machine. In junior high, she accidently set fire to the home ec teacher's hair. Undaunted, she persevered and eventually learned to sew most of her own wardrobe, clothes for her children, and umpteen accessories for her home as well.
A local girl, she grew up in rural Maryland before there was a Columbia. She attended the earliest meetings of Faithful Circle, dropped out for awhile when life interfered, and came back when she could.
Her quilts are amazing. They range from intricate Baltimore album to whimsical applique to oriental-inspired shashiko. One of her quilts is autographed by former first lady, Barbara Bush.
Her friends at Faithful Circle admire her versatility, envy her technique, benefit from her generosity, and just plain love to hear her laugh.
Please meet one of Faithful Circle's "charter" members ... Virginia Fry.
(Pam) How did you learn to sew?
What was this area like before Columbia was
developed?
Children? Grandkids?
Tell us about your 30-year career at Johns Hopkins Research Lab.
Do you have additional hobbies?
GUILD HISTORY
What did you expect when you attended the first FCQ meeting at Peggy Hood's
house in 1971?
Who were some of the other "charter" members?
How did Faithful Circle get its name? Who suggested it and why was it
chosen?
What were the early meetings like? How have they changed?
At one point, you dropped out of the guild due to family and work
circumstances. Why did you return? Why do you renew your membership now?
Is there a FCQ member (past or present) who was/is your mentor or
inspiration?
Can you relate any humorous or memorable stories about FCQ meetings or
members?
QUILTING
What is an album quilt? Why was Baltimore the center of this movement?
What colors and fabrics were used in early presentation quilts?
As you sew, do you feel a connection with the ladies of the 1850s?
There are many different applique methods. What technique(s) do you use?
Special tools?
What kind of batting do you prefer? What backing?
Most recently, you have made a sashiko quilt. Oriental seems far-removed
from Baltimore album. Why does this style of quilt and design appeal to you?
What kind of fabrics make it into your "stash?" Which are your favorites?
What advice do you have for beginners who want to learn applique? Which
pattern(s) should they choose?
Tell us about your family's "presidential" quilt.
You once made a large applique quilt called "An English Garden" on
commission. Was it hard to part with this quilt?
Pam [aside]: We should all have a quilt-from-hell that looks like this!
PAM TO VIRGINIA:
(Virginia) One of our neighbors, Miss Elsie Wessel (we called her Aunt Elsie), started a 4H group. She was the main
influence on my learning to sew. She could do anything--painting,
gardening, making lace, creating hats, etc. Needless to say, she was a great inspiration to me. When I got married, Aunt Elsie helped me make my wedding dress, veil, and all of the bridesmaid dresses and hats. My grandmother was also a wonderful seamstress and always gave me lots of encouragement.
We lived on a farm in Fulton and moved to Clarksville when I was in the fifth grade.
It was very rural with many open spaces. My brother was a landscape
engineer who worked for the Rouse Company. Because of this, we had first-hand knowledge of the community
as it developed. It was exciting and it changed our environment, but for the better, I think.
Cal and I have been married for 27 years and we live in Fulton. We also have a condo in Lake Worth (FL) near Palm Beach and spend 3 or 4 months there each winter.
My daughter, Karen, illustrates children's books and teaches art at
Howard Community College. She recently moved back from California and
is currently living with us--which we love.
My son Brian teaches high school math. He and his wife Patty (she is a math teacher too) have four children. Michele studies civil engineering at the University of Delaware. Stephanie attends West
Virginia University and is majoring in textiles and design. Dana, 16, is a junior at
Glenelg High School and Ryan, 13, and attends Triadelphia Middle School.
I did administrative work in Plant Engineering and then switched to Strategic Systems. I loved working at the Lab, but am really enjoying retirement since September 1999.
Gardening is my second-favorite thing after sewing. I also love keeping house, decorating, and canning too. Cal and I built a huge water garden in our backyard and it has given us many hours of enjoyment.
The Frys' backyard water garden
Do you belong to a church? Other organizations?
I have attended the Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church in Clarksville since I was a child. I belong to the UMW (United Methodist Women's Group), two bridge groups which meet monthly, and the Women's Club of Fulton (formerly a Homemaker Club)
My friend, Helen, saw an ad in the Ellicott City Times which invited women
interested in quilting to call a number. My first husband had just
decided he didn't want to be married any longer. Helen thought
this would help me, so I joined the group.
Mary Anderson and Emily Wheeler
I'm really not sure.
Meetings were a lot smaller. Everyone became good friends and shared their
lives with each other.
I ran into Mary Anderson and she invited me to come back. After attending just
one meeting, almost every member called to make sure I would come back. I was a
single mom and working full time but I decided I would try to squeeze in the
time and have never been sorry. I just love this group, am always learning so
many new things, and I love that Faithful Circle does so much for the community.
I always admire Ellie Layman. She makes new members
feel welcome and always remembers their name.
One of the most memorable stories is when we made quilts for fallen firemen's families and delivered them in person. Seven of us travelled to New Jersey. We were picked up by a limousine which took us to
each fire department where we met the men who were saved from the horrible
9-11 disaster. I will never forget that day.
Baltimore Album quilts originated in Baltimore and were usually made by many
people to give to a bride, deacon, retiring minister, etc, in honor of a special anniversary or event.
Turkey red was a must in these quilts, plus greens, gold, and blues.
I do, but I'm glad I live in this century. With all of the fabrics and patterns
available, quilting is much easier.
When I first started doing applique, I used the needle turn method.
Then I learned the freezer paper method, which I thought was better than
sliced bread! Recently, I took a class from Karen Kay Buckley who taught a
different type of needle turn method that I really like, so I will combine
this method with freezer paper. No special tools, only a thimble and
needle.
I like Hobbs Thermore. It is an ultra thin batting and I can getting more
stitches per inch. I use 100 percent cotton for the backing.
I love to make all different types of quilts, and the reason I enjoy doing sashiko quilts is because of the
heavy hand quilting done on these pieces.
I like a large variety of fabric, especially unusual fabrics which I
like to use as a backing. I tend to collect earth-toned fabrics. If
you could see my stash, you would understand. I have been collecting feed
sacks and old fabric for 15 to 20 years, with plans to make antique-looking quilts. I sure hope I live long enough to use up all of my fabric!
I always tell beginners to
start with something simple so that the project is not overwhelming and can be
finished.
This quilt was made for
my daughter as her inheritance (only kidding).
Barbara Bush signed it. I have also made my son a Baltimore album quilt.
My friend, Pat Valentino,
asked me to make this quilt for her daughter (to be her wedding present when
she gets married). Pat selected the pattern and I selected the fabrics. I
made the quilt while I was in Florida. I love the quilt, but had no
trouble parting with it. Both Pat and her husband were thrilled, but their unmarried daughter has not seen it yet.
Have you ever made a "quilt-from-hell"?
The Baltimore quilt I made for my
son fits that description, in fact, that is the name of the quilt. It would
take too long to write about everything that went wrong, but the quilt
turned out wonderful.
How do you care for and store your quilts?
My husband had a carpet company
and we discovered that the fat tubes on which the carpet was rolled were
wonderful for rolling my quilts as well. I cover the tubes with dense batting,
roll 2 to 3 quilts on a tube and cover with a long pillow case I make out of
cotton fabric. I stand the tubes in the corner of my clothes cupboard and
do not have to re-fold to prevent fold marks. Works great.
We hope you NEVER run out of quilt patterns or fabric in your stash!
What FCQ members say about Virginia
Photos of some of Virginia's favorite quilts