MEET A MEMBER: DENISE

Please take a moment to get to know one of our fellow guild members, Denise!

​Wow, it is a little intimidating to be asked to be Quilter of Month! But I’ll jump in with some brief personal bio and some pictures of my quilt journey.

I have been sewing since I was in about 4th grade – likely starting with a Girl Scout badge or helping my mother make the many clothes she completed for her four girls (and occasionally her three sons!). I have good memories of helping make drapes, recover sofa and my mom helping me start sewing real clothes. I signed up for HomeEc classes (oh…..thoseboring aprons….) as I soon figured out that my dad would buy fabric but not often new clothes (admittedly seven children needing clothes stretched a budget). So I was first and foremost a garment sewer - - making work clothes, Frostline kits (do you remember?), and then clothes for my three kids. Some of you remember I made a wedding dress for my middle daughter a couple years ago.

My first quilt was a wonky patchwork quilt when my son was born. I don’t think it has survived….. But from there I did make many baby quilts, and focused on a lot of cutesy applique wall hangings and quilts. When we moved to Houston, I started “real” quilts and handquilted a couple of traditional quilts for my daughters (in fact one took at least two Christmas to give as partially completed gift). I’ve made quilts for each of my siblings and many of their first grandchildren.

In the last five years I have gradually become more contemporary, even when following traditional patterns. I bought myself a long-arm as my retirement gift to myself and have greatly enjoyed improving my skills. I don’t hire out, but I am probably making some dent in investment. I like quilting charity quilts such as many created by group at church to gift to initial residents of Steve O’Neil housing project. Mostly it is a great creative outlet and I like luxury of working hour or two at my leisure.

Here are some samples (some of which you may recognize from past show-and-tells).

Some of many baby quilts for grand-nieces and nephews

Several Charity quilts made often with friends

Three matching quilts for granddaughter and her two new step-sisters.

Three wedding-ring quilts for each of the three kids (last one was quite modern after collaborating with artsy daughter!)

Not the easiest quilt to learn paper piecing! But a great wall hanging.

And some more of my work:

Thank you, Denise, for sharing part of your quilting journey with us and for sharing some of your fabulous work!