The quilter selected for our August showcase is Anna Loughman.
Though Anna hasn't been quilting long, her natural talent is displayed in every quilt she creates!
1. How did you get started in quilting?
I grew up sewing clothes for myself. But, I didn’t learn to make quilts until 2018. The Girl Scout troop that I lead wanted to make pillowcases for the pediatric unit at Enloe. My co-leader knew the staff at Honey Run and arranged for us to use their classroom to sew. Seeing all the fabrics and sample quilts reignited my love of sewing and I signed up for a jelly roll class. I was hooked!
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
I must have a seam ripper nearby at all times.
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
I signed up for an online mystery quilt club. It was a fun idea and the group also read and discussed a book during the quilt along. Every week we got another task to complete until the blocks were finished. The first couple of quilts came out fine. But, then things went wonky! The butterflies in my quilt turned out looking more like space invaders and I erroneously used my background fabric as the main fabric. That was the last quilt I made with the group. I learned that choosing fabrics and making a quilt without a pattern is challenging for me.
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
My most favorite quilt is a scrappy quilt I made in 2020. I used pieces of fabric from every quilt I’d made up to that point. I love looking at all the fabrics and remembering all the things I made with them and the people I made them for.
5. What do you do with your quilts?
I donate or give away most of my quilts to family and friends. I keep the ones that I maybe tried a new technique with, or especially liked the fabric or pattern. Once in awhile my husband will call one "a keeper." So, we definitely keep those. I like seeing my quilts being used. I have a favorite photo of all five of us each wrapped in a quilt around the fire pit. I always travel with a small quilt in the car or on a plane. It’s like bringing a little bit of home with me.
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
Yes! My older sister made me a quilt for my 50th birthday. It’s a Trip Around the World pattern that she made using pastel batiks. It’s a really special gift because she stopped quilting not long afterwards due to her health. I've since made 50th birthday quilts for my younger sisters and brother to continue the tradition.
7. What type of quilting do you most enjoy?
I like piecing blocks and I’m just learning to be comfortable sewing curves. So, I want to make more quilts with curves! I also like FPP (foundation paper piecing) and EPP (English paper piecing). But, I haven’t spent much time practicing. There are so many ways to enjoy quilting and I hope to learn more once I retire and have more time.
8. We would love to include some personal details about you (anything you’d like to share) such as your profession, interests outside of quilting, future plans, etc.
My great-grandmother taught me to sew clothes when I was a teenager. She was an excellent seamstress and made all of her own clothes. She also made many things for me as I was growing up. I remember she went to sewing class all the time. But, I didn’t realize until I started quilting that it was her social circle. She must have had a lot of good friends and fun! I’m proud that she passed down her love of sewing to me. I married my high school sweetheart 36 years ago and we have three grown children. I still work full-time. But, I look forward to retiring once the last child is out of college. I love that my family appreciates my quilting creations and that they have their own creative outlets. All three of my children are musicians, and my oldest has taken up quilting as well! I think it’s important to have that balance in life. My family loves to travel and I try to pick up fabric wherever we visit. We are taking a big trip abroad this summer. I’m really looking forward to the five of us going on an adventure together.
