My Name is: Deb Loeb

Born: Long Island,NY I have been Quilting for several decades.

My maternal Grandmother quilted and this is a quick story about her

HUNTING FOR A MEMORY

The quilt pictured above is just one of the many quilts my maternal Grandmother made.

No, I wasn’t on a safari, just a trip to a fabric shop. But this isn’t just any fabric store. This store has everything – everywhere. There are aisles and aisles of every kind of fabric imaginable. The fabric is stacked two high on both sides. It is then stacked on top of that and in front of each side on the floor making it so you sometimes have to go sideways just to get down an aisle. It’s hard work finding just what you want here, easier if you weren’t trying to find something specific, but today I am. I’m hunting for more reproduction fabric, reminiscent of that used by my grandmother to make everyone of her children, grandchildren, and I suppose a good many of her great-grandchildren, their very own special quilt. Now these weren’t the artful quilts that you see today. No elegant patterns here.
Just made with love for generations to pass down.

I think of the quilts I’ll make. Not fine or fancy, just cozy, becoming more beautiful as they age. Being used with love. That does it you know. Repeated washings, a little fraying, getting faded, like people… aging beautifully.

I don’t have a longarm. I mainly make lap and baby size quilts since I don’t have a long arm to quilt larger things.

Inspired by other quilters, art, nature, love of fabric, I like to try all different types of quilting.

Most of what I make are gifts or are for charity. I’ve made some other crafty things too, bags and such.

Took a class few years ago with Victoria Finley Wolff. It was interesting and learned some new things.  Have to think about the workshop thing.

Love what ever colors speak to me that would look good in a quilt that excites me. I do love blues. I like photography and try to draw and watercolor.

Yes, I check my email. 

My name is Rosemary Crerand:

Just a quick introduction from your newest member, Rosemary.  I am the eldest of ten children all of whom were born birthed by the same doctor and born in the same hospital in Jamaica (Long Island), New York.  At the age of 16 our house in Massapequa was just bursting at the seams and thus we made the move to NJ.  I met my husband a few months later and one thing led to another and can’t believe we will be celebrating 52 years of marriage this year.  How did that happen I don’t even feel 52. In 2005 my husband took an early retirement which prompted me to do the same thing.  After twenty plus years at a job I loved at Rutgers University we packed up and moved to Florida.  Although we absolutely love our friends and our house here my husband has had numerous health issues so once the pandemic has passed we will be returning to New Jersey to be close by our family.  If you don’t know this by now, Eileen, your president, is my sister.  
I haven’t been quilting that long.  Maybe eight years. I was always captivated by the quilts my sister made and she just kept urging we to try it.  She had confidence in me and she had no doubt I’d love it.   So the rest is history. I took myself down to West Palm Beach to a Mancuso show.  Bought a Juki and have been at it ever since.  She recently pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to make a Minecraft quilt, with Gods knows, how many little pieces for my grandson.  I turned out amazing and she continues to inspire me to this day.
I love everything about modern quilts. The clean lines. The bright colors. But I truly believe it is the actual quilting that brings them to life. I don’t have a longarm but am looking forward to learning on Eileens once we get home.
I haven’t had any classes in the past two years but I have taken quite a few at our locally at the Dragonfly Quilt Shop in Vero Beach FL. I’ve been so fortunate to become great friends with the owner and she has introduced me to some of the most beautiful and talented women. Thru some of the events I’ve attended I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Alex Veronelli (Aurifill), Jennie Doan and Victoria Finely Wolfe. I know bringing a speaker to the guild is probably wildly expense but maybe I could reach out and see how the local shops down here were able to do it.
Prior to the pandemic I belonged to two book clubs but that like everything else has been put on hold due to the Covid. I was actually thinking about starting a virtual one if anyone has an interest let me know.
I have email and check it daily so feel free to reach out.  The last thing I would like to say is that I love the feel of your guild. Each and every one of you have always made me feel so welcomed each time I’ve been in NJ. You ladies are amazingly talented and not shy to share your gift with others.  Thank you for including me.

Name:  Bonnie Bartholomew

Where were you born?     WAY upstate New York (farm country).  Oldest of 6 kids. 

How long have you been quilting?     20+ years

Who/what inspired you to start quilting?      Started sewing in grade school…been sewing ever since.  Quilting appealed as it combined my love of art and sewing. 

Who/what inspires you now?  Art, my family, color, nature, flowers

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view?      Color, shape, spontaneity.

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer?  If so, who?      Susan Carlson, Katie Pasquini Masopust , Terry Kramzar

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, appliqué, hand stitching?  Do you longarm?           Piecing, fused applique, paint, fabric pencils, etc.  I use a sit down long arm for machine quilting.

 Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do?  Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners?         I do art quilts, wall hangings, pieced quilts

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs (what is this?), charity sewing?    If so, which?   Lack interest in those.

Have you taken any classes in the last two years?  If so, which ones?  Did you find them useful?          Have gone to many classes which I enjoyed.  Physical limitations make it too difficult now.

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on?         Designs  for free motion quilting?    Photographic images on quilts? no comment

Are there any speakers would you like to see visit JSMQG? no comment

What are your favorite colors?  Blue, cool colors, jewel tones, bright color, all color!

What other interests do you have? Used to garden but can’t anymore.  Love to bake.

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?     Haven’t accomplished much lately.  Think the whole quarantine thing has done me in!

Do you have access to email?  Do you check it periodically?  I do use email and instagram.

Name: Michelle Lewis

Where were you born? Frankfort Germany

How long have you been quilting? 25 years

Who/what inspired you to start quilting? I always sewed clothing having 3 daughters and wanted to make a quilt for my girlfriend having her first baby

Who/what inspires you now? Everything, Modern, Traditional,  Art quilts and Applique

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view? Strong motifs and negative space

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer?  If so, who? Pride and Joy Quilter, Jacquline  Dejonge (paper Piecing) and all applique artists

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, appliqué, hand stitching?  Do you longarm? All of the above Still working on the longarm aspect

Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do?  Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners? Will do all just not so much into table runners.

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs (what is this?), charity sewing?    If so, which? Not to many challenges I stay Challenged by the projects I choose. I will do charity sewing if needed

Have you taken any classes in the last two years?  If so, which ones?  Did you find them useful? Craftsy Classes for machine quilting and clothing tailoring also some ruler work

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on? Can’t think of nothing at the moment

Are there any speakers would you like to see visit JSMQG? Virtual? The sky’s the limit

What are your favorite colors? RED can never have to much red and Black too really all colors are in the running not a fan of purple

What other interests do you have? Since Covid cooking baking and knitting and more quilting I dabble with painting also

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked? Nope you pretty much covered it all.

Do you have access to email?  Do you check it periodically? Not frequently

My Name is: Eileen DiPietro
Where were you born? Jamaica, New York
How long have you been quilting? About 15 years
Who/what inspired you to start quilting? I sewed garments since I was in
elementary school, I didn’t develop an interest in quilting until later in life. I had
gotten a magazine in the mail with a picture of a quilt on the cover and thought ‘I
can make that’. The rest is history.
Who/what inspires you now? I find inspiration everywhere. The amount of
information available on social media outlets makes me have to sometimes look
away in order to get anything accomplished.
When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view? Modern to me is the
use of negative space to add quilting designs. Bright colors, unstructured blocks and
new takes on traditional piecing are what deems a quilt modern to me..
Do you follow any specific quilter or designer? If so, who? I like to follow other
guilds, fabric designers and a few bloggers.
What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, appliqué, hand
stitching? Do you longarm? I prefer foundation paper piecing for the precision
results it gives. I am not fond of precision, traditional piecing. I always have a hand
sewing project like English paper piecing, embroidery or hand binding going on.
I own a longarm, a learning curve for sure, but I am comfortably quilting large quilts
now.
Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do? Wall hanging, bed quilt,
pocketbooks, totes, table runners? Large, bed size quilts are my thing. I do also love
quick make like a table runner or a tiny quilt to hang in the studio or on my front
door. I do believe I’ve been dubbed the resident bag maker of this guild and I can
apply a zipper to just about anything!
Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs (what is this?), charity sewing?
If so, which? I love quilt alongs for the camaraderie and accountability they bring.
My roots are in charity sewing, and I am a firm believer that sewing and charity go
hand in hand. Charity is how the past president of this guild found and recruited
me.
Have you taken any classes in the last two years? If so, which ones? Did you find
them useful? I have not taken any real classes. I was scheduled to attend a three
day longarm workshop with Handi Quilter, which was cancelled due to the
pandemic.
Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on? Nothing
in particular, I am open to learning anything new. I also believe that our guild
members all have unique talents and excel in their own different areas and that we
should be taking advantage of that with member led workshops.
Are there any speakers would you like to see visit JSMQG?
What are your favorite colors? As far as quilting goes, I love a white background
with lots of bold colors.
What other interests do you have? Cooking, healthy eating and a medical issue that
limits what I can eat has created a challenge in preparing healthy, good tasting
meals that I am currently enjoying.
Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked? Being part of a guild has
really changed my life. Prior to being a member I was sewing at home and had no
friends who share my passion. I value every friendship made and take a
tremendous amount of pride in what this small guild has accomplished in the way of
charity.
Do you have access to email? Do you check it periodically? i stay on top of my
email..

Name: Brandy Borden

Where were you born?  Salem, Ohio

How long have you been quilting? Since 2013 ish…         

Who/what inspired you to start quilting?

After moving to New Jersey in 2009, I was lost and without a social network. My husband suggested that I find a hobby instead of following him around like a puppy… That’s not exactly how it went, but close… From there I started with some private sewing lessons and made a set of $150.00 pillow cases…. They were for extra-large pillows, but it was still a bit excessive. I then found a class through Monmouth Park System and in my second course made a quilt for my grandmother. After that I was addicted. I now have an endless supply of works in progress.

Who/what inspires you now?

Sometimes everything and sometimes nothing…. Being part of the JSMQG helps to keep me moving and making. Having a group of inspiring ladies to share with is wonderful!

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view?

I think that bright patterns make a modern quilt. I like bright vibrant colors and it is the color that speaks to me in the quilts I love. Modern can be a pattern… a fresh design… A new idea if there is such a thing… It can be something made today or 100 years ago… I think the key is clean, nice design…

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer?  If so, who?

I am not a faithful follower, but I like to see the following blogs:

Red Pepper Quilts https://www.redpepperquilts.com

Sew Katie Did https://www.sewkatiedid.com/blog/  – She makes modern quilts in the Seattle area. I love her stuff and her beautiful studio.

Ruth De Vos https://www.ruthdevos.com – She has a gaggle of kids and makes beautiful art quilts that are pieced with freezer paper technique. Awesome!

Lo & Behold Stitchery https://www.loandbeholdstitchery.com – love her quilt designs

Lou Gardiner https://www.lougardiner.co.uk/   – love her embroidery and her spunkiness.

Sophie Standing http://www.sophiestandingart.com/ – love her embroidery and thread painting techniques!

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, appliqué, hand stitching?  Do you longarm?

I love the whole process from coming up with the design to piecing and quilting. I like free motion quilting small projects on my domestic machine and am embarking on the adventure to learn to longarm quilt with a hand-guided approach!

Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do?  Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners?

I prefer to make quilts and give them away… obviously smaller is faster, but I usually don’t like anything smaller than 60” for a quilt project. I usually end up adding on to make small projects harder! I have a reputation for starting many projects and finishing few… something I hope to improve on this year. I also like to make bags, but am happier to tackle these projects with friends…. Like Eileen!

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs (what is this?), charity sewing?    If so, which?

I like to help with charity projects with the guild, but am terrible at doing any kind of “A-Long” project. I have not been successful in the past with meeting deadlines. I like to take part in the projects and complete them at my own Sllllloooowwww pace.

Have you taken any classes in the last two years?  If so, which ones?  Did you find them useful?

I have taken some classes through the Monmouth Park System that were very useful. When I am working on something over my head, I like to have help on hand. I made a dress which was wonderful, but I couldn’t have done it without help. I have recently taken a couple of Design Matters TV classes and find them very inspiring. I also recently purchased a couple of Craftsy classes to learn to make lingerie and to make a skirt a la Alabama Chanin!

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on?

I will be happy to participate in whatever the group does. I would love to partake in a fabric dying workshop. I would also like to learn more hand stitching and embroidery techniques. Art Quilting techniques are also interesting to me and I hope to make a collage quilt this year!

Are there any speakers would you like to see visit JSMQG?

There is a local Art Quilter names Elena Stokes… I am not sure if she does workshops, but if so, it would be awesome. There is also a lady called Tie Dye Amy that does classes for groups in NJ..

https://elenastokes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/tyedyeamy/

What are your favorite colors? I love Magenta and various purples and oranges as well as blues and greens. I love vibrant colors!

What other interests do you have? I am interested in making jewelry, watercolor and oil painting, embroidery, print-making, the list goes on…. I love to make and intend to do more of it this year than in the past. I am happiest when making!

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

Thank you for keeping things going for the group!

Do you have access to email?  Do you check it periodically?

I check email often…. Not every day, but often. 

Name: June Mellinger

Where were you born? Massapequa N,Y.  I am the oldest of 4 children.  I was the only girl and then next two boys are my identical twin brothers, followed by my baby brother who as an adult tells me all the time that he loves to watch Sewing With Nancy.

How long have you been quilting? Since 1970.  The first quilt I made was from seersucker sample squares.  My MIL had a friend whose husband was a sales rep for Burlington Fabrics, and she would give me Mike’s samples.  The batting for the quilt was made from old, quilted bathrobes that I had cut up. The squares were stitched together with my $50 Singer machine and after that I used a hand sewn feather stitch as decorative stitching on the seams and I then sandwiched the quilt and tacked the corners.  I had no one to tell me what to do or how to do it.  The quilt was twin sized and was used on our son’s bed until he got his first real comforter (which I still have).    

Who/what inspired you to start quilting? In 1970 Steve’s aunt was taking Stitch ‘N Sew classes at her Singer dealer and I figured that if she could sew, so could I.  My mom, grandmother and aunts all sewed as well but for some reason my husband’s aunt inspired me.  I do have a quilt that my mom made in the early ‘70s as well.  After she passed in November 2020, I took that quilt home.  It frustrates me that I recall a hallway conversation that I had with my mother-in-law in the 1980’s about the beautiful quilt that laid upon her bed.  She told me how my father-in-law had asked their landlady to make the quilt for her so he could give it to her for their first Christmas…that was September.  She delivered.  I have asked my sister in laws about that quilt and they look at me like I am crazy.  It just disappeared. 

Who/what inspires you now? I worked for Brother Sewing machines for 25 years and when I retired in 2016, I knew that I finally was going to have the time to make more things and they would be things that I wanted to make.  I attended the International Quilt Festival in Houston every year for those 25 years and if that does not inspire you, nothing will.

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view? I am still trying to figure that out.  One thing is that the back of the quilt can be as important as the front.  I have a few quilts that I have added left over quilt squares to the back but that took real nerve for me to do.  I am a traditionalist I suppose.  I get the positive/negative thing and I get the reasoning to be wonky.  I suppose it just takes time.  I recall hiring a younger woman around 2014 and she told me a lot about the newer gals that were interested in Modern Quilting.  I met her friends and realized that I had to learn more about this style. 

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer?  If so, who?  I follow Victoria Findlay Wolf and I suppose that is more because I know her.  I watch Tula Pink and I am not sure what I think about her and her style but she is interesting.   Keep in mind that I worked in the industry forever and the question in the early 2000’s was, “what are we going to do to get the next generation’s interest?”  Now that generation is here and I have to figure it out.  I give them a lot of credit but honestly technology and social media have given this group a real leg up when it comes to being that next superstar.

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, appliqué, hand stitching?  Do you longarm?  Right now, I prefer paper piecing.  I did make a quilt entirely by hand during the Covid 19 using 6” diameter hexagons.  Have not done something like that for a long time.  I have used a mid-arm in the past, but I do not own one as I do not want to have to commit to the space. Recently I have begun to use my Brother Luminaire to quilt with the embroidery feature.  I like the result of edge-to-edge quilting in an embroidery hoop. 

Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do?  Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners.  I go in spurts.  For a while it was all wall hangings, then it was totes.  Lately it has been all about the bed quilt. 

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs (what is this?), charity sewing?    If so, which? I just finished a 14-month BOM challenge with Stitchin Heaven.  I think because I was paying for it I made sure that I finished the quilt.  I did start a Pat Sloan sew along but I never finished it.  Partly because I had not gathered all the fabrics needed before I began the Sew Along.  If asked, I do charity sewing for the guild.  This year I also made 2 Quilts of Valor for 2 very close friends who served in Vietnam after college.  They were shocked that I did this for them.  It was my pleasure that I could do that much. 

Have you taken any classes in the last two years?  If so, which ones?  Did you find them useful?  I like to go on weekend retreats where you make a specific project and during the process the hostesses usually find a way to teach you something new.  I say “usually” because that is not always true, so you really have to “shop” around to find the right retreat weekend for you.  I like the ones held at the Mercersburg Inn.  The setting is nice, the food is great and there is plenty for my husband to do as well.  I also took a class on line this year from Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill and it was most enjoyable.

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on? During these times when we are forced to meet differently, I feel that my gain would be to be “forced” to be more engaged with quilting and learning.  It is difficult for me to make a “schedule” and stick with it.  Like using a Quilter’s Planner, I am terrible at that. 

Are there any speakers would you like to see visit JSMQG?  We were fortunate to host Krishma Patel in 2019 and I would like to do that again.  Perhaps for starters we could see if there is a modern quilter who would do an “online” speaker session.  I am sure that there are.  The other thing is that The Modern Guild” does have presentations online and we should make a greater effort to take advantage of these opportunities.  Eileen and I have “bought” tickets to the online version of the upcoming QuiltCon so that should be of benefit. 

What are your favorite colors? I used to say “Pale pink and pale green” but in this group that would not work.  I suppose I could say that I love the contrast of black to sharp color.  I am finishing a quilt that has a lot of black, purples, chartreuse and blues.

What other interests do you have? I like to travel and during a trip I like to stop at places that I have heard about.  For example, I read about the Panguitch Quilt Walk and during a trip to Utah we were able to travel through this Western town and learn why quilting has a historical impact on this town. I also play golf. 

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?  I would like to know about our member’s machine archives.  I began with a used machine and within 2 months I began watching a neighbor’s child so that I could buy a new White Zig Zag machine for $178…. what I didn’t know then was that I should have taken lessons on how to use the machine.  I did own that machine for many years.  I now have 6 Brother machines and one Bernina.  I worked for Brother for 25 years, so I bleed “Brother blue” I use my Bernina from time to time, but I always go back to Brother.  By the way Brother is the manufacturer of all of their products and they have made machines for Bernina, Viking and Babylock.

Do you have access to email?  Do you check it periodically?  I check my email all day long as well as Facebook.  I don’t feel like I know Instagram at all.  I always say that I am going to get better at it, but I do not.