Claudia spent 2018 serving as the Boulder MQG president and is the treasurer for 2019. Here is a chance for everyone to get to know her better. We’d love all the members to introduce themselves, post information and form is available in the member section.
Claudia has been quilting off and on for about 20 years and has been a member of the Boulder MQG almost since it’s inception in 2014.
Please tell us about yourself
Although I was attracted to arts and crafts type activates as a child, my careers were more science based. I initially graduated with a degree in bacteriology and worked as an industrial microbiologist for many years. Then I changed careers and earned a masters degree as a physician assistant. As a PA, I worked primarily in general and neurosurgical practices. I guess the sewing skills I acquired from my mother were a plus with this career choice.
I am retired now, and since moving to Colorado have discovered my latent athleticism. I enjoy Nordic skiing, hiking and bicycle riding. My husband and I ride a tandem bicycle. I waste too much time virtual crafting by surfing the Internet, hence I am not very good a finishing projects.
What is your favorite part about being involved in the Boulder MQG?
I also enjoy learning new techniques and discovering new trends in quilting from other members.
In 2018, I was the president of the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild. Though I would never call myself a “leader”, I enjoyed that year in the organization the most. It was the first time I participated in a Block of the Month project, and I delighted sharing my blocks on Instagram. I also had the opportunity to do an evening presentation, and though initially I was flummoxed by the topic of “precuts”, in the end I think I pulled off a fun talk.
How did you become interested in modern quilting?
I am drawn to modern quilting because aesthetically, it appeals to me the most of all the needle arts. One of my favorite museums is the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. I enjoyed going there as a teen to view the abstract, pop and expressionistic art on display. I have always been drawn to bold patterns. These are some of the elements in modern quilting that speak to me. It helps that modern quilters are a diverse in age, and that fosters openness to experimentation in this quilt community.
What is your favorite aspect of modern quilting?
I enjoy many modern quilting features, but which aspects are my favorite continually change for me. Initially, I was drawn to improvisation, and that you can fix things when the get wonky in innovative ways (such as sneaking in a dart). The idea that a quilt design does not have to be block based and the manipulation of negative space has always intrigued me. Since I am becoming more comfortable with Adobe Illustrator I am back to wanting to design blocks, but with a twist. I want to explore interchanging block designs based on different grid dimensions, say putting together a 3 by 3 design with a 7 by 7 design. I think this might be very interesting with which to experiment.
Do you prefer solids or prints?
I must admit I am a bit insecure when it comes to choosing prints for projects and thus gravitate to solid colors. I am excited that the guild’s theme this year is exploring color theory, and I know we will get into experimenting with printed fabric.
Who is your favorite fabric designer?
I don’t have favorite surface designers (though I follow Sanna Annukka breathlessly on Instagram).
Who is a technique or something new you would like to try?
Techniques that I would like to try are piping application within a pieced quilt, and other textural or three dimensional methods. I have always liked origami, so fabric manipulation with pleats and pintucks interest me. I think there are many possiblities where these methods can be exploited in modern quilt design.
What is your favorite non-quilt thing to make?
I don’t know if I have a favorite non-quilt thing that I make. I have tried my hand at drafting a pattern for a yoga mat tote bag. After making four prototypes, I think I have it down. Now I just need to get up the fortitude to write the sewing instructions for a real pattern.
Do you prefer binding by hand or machine?
I don’t like binding. I really want to learn how to use my machine binding attachment.
What is your favorite part of quilting?
My favorite part of quilting is thinking up design concepts. Most of the time they don’t work. But that’s what I do before falling asleep at night.
What is your least favorite part of quilting?
My least favorite part of quilting is charity quilting. Nothing kills my motivation more than sewing something for someone I don’t know, and knowing I will never any get feed back on it. I admire people who gain satisfaction from it, but it is just not for me.
Do you have a lot of WIPs or do you focus on one project at a time?
Since I do so much virtual quilting on the Internet, all I have is WIPs.
What kind of sewing machine do you use?
I am a true Bernina girl through and through. I have a Bernina 830 sewing/embroidery machine. It took me three years to get over my intimidation of the machine, but now I love it.
Tell us about your sewing space.
My sewing room is our guest bedroom. Or should I say, we put guests up in the sewing room. I warn my guests to wear shoes, to avoid stray pins on the floor.
What project are you working on right now?
I am working on three projects at the moment. My 2018 BoulderMQG block of the month quilt which is ready to be sandwiched and quilted. I just drafted a pressing iron caddy to tote my hot iron back home after the guild’s open sew days. Finally, I have flatted and sandwiched my Motorcycle pixel quilt for the Boulder UFO challenge. Lots to do.
What’s your most recent finish?
My most recent finish was a quilt bee quilt with framed stars, and a nautical themed quilting pattern (boats and waves). I don’t have a photo of it, since it had to get into the mail. It was a Christmas present.
Thanks Claudia for sharing about yourself! If you’d like to share a personal profile or other blog post, you can do that here.
