Following last month's Featured Quilter, Grace Crocker, we are pleased to present the second half of our newest dynamic quilting duo, Grace's daughter, Bonnie Crocker, as our August Featured Quilter.
In addition to being a very talented quilter, Bonnie's also one of the kindest, sweetest, and funniest people you could ever have the pleasure of knowing.
1. How did you get started in quilting?
One day, while visiting my parents at their ranch in Ord Bend, I chatted with my Mom as she quilted. She uttered three simple words: “Just try it.” I tried it. I liked it. And my life has never been the same.
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
That's an easy question! The one quilting notion I can't do without is my mom, Grace Crocker. She’s the Swiss army knife of quilting! When I need a tool, technique, or teacher, I reach out to this pocket-sized bundle of energy who is ready and willing to help wherever and whenever I need it.
Other invaluable resources are sharp scissors, "Steam-A-Seam 2" or glue, a design wall, and Honey Run/Cathy's Sew and Vac. There is a fantastic selection of fabrics, notions, and services. The staff is stellar and a joy to work with.
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
One of my favorite ‘oops’ moments comes from a quilt I made in a Joe Cunningham class. After quilting, I triumphantly held it up to admire my handiwork and I was assaulted by a sea of eyelashes (loops of thread that form when the tension needs to be adjusted) on the back of the quilt. It’s now affectionately known as "The Eyelash Quilt." When I label it, I plan to incorporate a couple of false eyelashes. On the plus side, I'm more than ready if there’s ever a seam-ripping contest!
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
My favorite quilt is any one that gets used. Baby and toddler quilts are a specialty of mine. Seeing these little ones sipping on a bottle, scarfing down a snack, snoozing, playing with their toys, reading, or dreaming of far-off lands and castles in the clouds while lying on or dragging around a quilt I’ve made brings me profound joy. 
5. What do you do with your quilts?
Most of what I make is gifted or donated. Although tucked away in a closet is a treasure trove of class projects and challenge quilts. A Challenge Quilt is a way to stretch your quilt design skills and work with fabrics, colors and constraints you're not used to.
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
Lucky me, I’ve been the recipient of several.
My maternal Grandmother made my baby quilt. While I have no memories of receiving the quilt, I have no doubt that each stitch was sewn with love, care, and, knowing my Grandma, a prayer. I still have the quilt.
My mother has gifted me multiple quilts and wall hangings. Each quilt has been tailor-made to evoke memories of experiences that have special meaning in my life. Each one is a treasure!
7. What type of quilting do you most enjoy?
It would be a fusion of innovative and improvisational quilting. Having the inkling of an idea and following it down the rabbit hole to see where it leads makes me want to dance a lively jig. I love getting gloriously lost in the nooks, crannies, and the “what-ifs” of design. Figuring out the logistics of effectively turning my ideas into a finished piece is still a bit of a struggle. But, I’m getting there.
Challenges make my heart skip a beat! The most recent challenge I participated in was a "trash to treasure challenge," where I was given a bag of fabric remnants, upholstery samples, used zippers, and a hodgepodge of buttons, lace, and some grosgrain ribbon and was tasked with turning it all into something wonderful.
As a self-proclaimed technique junkie, I’m always on the hunt for a new technique! My favorite, to date, is one I learned in an online class with Katie Pasquini Masopust. We were tasked with creating a simple still-life quilt, then hack it into pieces, and finally reassemble the pieces into something new and unique. I did the assignment twice, so that I could have a bonus finished piece. Chopping those quilt tops was a mad mix of adrenaline, fear, and pure joy. I call these two quilts “The Hatchet Quilts.”
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.
I am happily retired. Several years ago, I returned to school. Earning a degree was personally rewarding and allowed me to cross off an item lingering on my bucket list for years. My quilting goals include learning to use 2 pieces of computer graphics software, Concepts and the Adobe Photoshop suite. I believe both will help me have a more streamlined process to create a more polished, better-crafted quilt. The Cherrywood Challenge opens in October. I plan to enter.
When I’m not quilting, I can be found baking, reading, dreaming of travels I want to take, or snuggling and snoozing with my sweet dog, Harper.
9. What quilting/sewing projects have you worked on together?
I believe my Mom mentioned in her piece, last month, that we’ve worked on several quilts for one of my nephews, teamed up to chair the “Black, and White, and Read all Over” challenge for Annie’s Star Quilt Guild, and will helm the next challenge called... Oops! Wait, I can’t tell you the name! It will launch in December, and we think it will be achievable and fun for quilters of all levels and quilting styles.
In July, we started participating in a bug and butterfly “Thursday Night Follow-Along” with Susan Carlson. I had not attempted a quilted collage, but my mom has done what seems like a million of them. It’s fun and exciting to see what each of us creates.
10. What is something you’ve learned from each other regarding quilting?
If we’re unhappy with a technique or how an element has been crafted, we should never be afraid or too lazy to rip out and re-do it, no matter where we are in the quilting process. We’ve learned that we will never be happy with the result if we don't take the time to rehab our work. Also, take the time to get a good picture of the finished quilt.
11. What is a quilting skill you admire in your daughter/mother?
My Mom’s process is something to behold. She’s like a highly sought-after surgeon: knowledgeable, laser-focused, works with precision, technically skilled, and will not be deterred when challenges come her way. She works for hours and doesn’t break a sweat.
My process is more a mixture of mad scientist meets circus clown: chaotic, unpredictable, unconventional, and filled with laughter. It’s not unusual for me to look and feel like I’ve been through three cycles in the dryer at the end of the day.
12. If you give your daughter/mother advice, does she take it?
Advice to Grace?! It doesn’t happen often. The other day, I made a “suggestion” that wasn’t taken. Several days later, she was doing exactly what I had suggested. But, only after she had come up with the idea herself. We had a good laugh.
We share a quilting space, so there’s usually an ongoing conversation about various topics. Often, quilting advice is given without recognizing it as such; we’re simply chatting. Sometimes, the conversation does get a bit spirited. Our mutual respect for each other’s work makes these conversations meaningful, as they challenge us to consider our choices and how different options might impact our projects. I’m grateful she challenged me with those three little words, “Just try it.” I’m even more grateful quilting has allowed us to connect in an unexpected way.
