For our July and August featured quilters, we're pleased to present another dynamic quilting duo, Grace Crocker and her daughter, Bonnie.
The term "extraordinary" doesn't even begin to describe Grace! Truly multi-talented and brimming with extensive knowledge, Grace creates quilts that can only be described as awe-inspiring!
1. How did you get started in quilting?
I have loved sewing since the 7th grade. I ran my own dressmaking business, when my kids were small, and always wanted to quilt. However, my return to Pacific Bell in 1968 prevented that.
When I retired in 1990, I bought a book titled, “Teach Yourself to Quilt” and the adventure began. Since then, I have had the opportunity to take many classes, attend many retreats, and have learned from the best. Lucky me!
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
My 17x24 light box. I am an art quilter and for many years I have enjoyed making my own patterns. My copy machine and my light box are invaluable.
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
This happened just last week! I was working on a collage of a mother and baby kangaroo whose legs were quite entangled. I sandwiched the quilt and hung it on the wall for a final look before I hit my Bernina Q16.
Oops! The mama Roo had FIVE LEGS! I got them mixed up and hadn’t caught it until then. I would have probably quilted it as it was, if I had not taken that careful, second look.
I do a lot of One Block Wonders and have found an error there, too. The only problem was that I found it AFTER it was quilted. There was a lot of reverse sewing that I had to do. Lesson learned: Carefully check BEFORE you quilt it!
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
Absolutely impossible! In 1995, I won Best of Show at the State Fair with a machine pieced, hand-quilted quilt – my favorite at the time.
I’ve won ribbons for various types of quilts – fused applique, needle turned applique, stained glass piecing, and paper piecing. Each one was a favorite at that time and I’m hopeful that there are many more favorites to come.
5. What do you do with your quilts?
I give many away to friends and family. I also donate to the guild and to relief causes. I do have a large collection of art quilts in my possession. I basically live in a “padded cell” with quilts on display everywhere. My kids will have to deal with all of those in my possession when I am dead and gone.
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
Never a whole quilt. But, I did receive delightful frog blocks from my friends when I had breast cancer. I completed the quilt and, as I did so, felt the love of each quilter. I especially enjoyed the “monkey bride” that the reprobate quilter, Diane Fritter, made for me! No frogs for her.
7. What type of quilting do you most enjoy?
For the last 2 ½ years, I have been thoroughly engrossed in collage quilting, Susan Carlson’s Serendipity Quilts-style. I have enjoyed making these quilts using photos from my family albums, as well as several using only Aboriginal fabrics and Australian animals.
Taking my 8th one week Zoom class with Susan, I am about to start my 20th collage quilt! Yes, I know the process now. But, in-class interaction is delightful fun and there is always something new to learn.
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 retired as a training manager with Pacific Bell in 1990. That’s 34 years ago! I just had my 88th birthday and am able to do exactly what I please, whenever I please. It’s not bad getting older. I just wish I had the energy that I had in 1990!
I started showing up in the Google search results when Susan Carlson featured me on her blog. You can see more of my work when you Google “The Fabric Collage Quilts of Grace Crocker.”
9. What quilting/sewing projects have you worked on together?
We worked together on making a series of quilts for my oldest grandson. He requested Trip Around the World designs done for each season of the year. We enjoyed selecting fabrics, doing the piecing, and tying those quilts together. It seems like he wanted those quilts to be EXACTLY like the one I had made him early in my quilting career, which was also tied. However, this time I did the tying on my machine.
Several years ago we headed up the “Black and White and Read All Over” challenge for the quilt guild and we are looking forward to heading up a new challenge this year.
10. What is something you’ve learned from each other regarding quilting?
You can never have too much fabric! When it can’t be found locally, my daughter, Bonnie is always ready to “take a road trip” or do some special sleuthing on the internet. She is the one who brought Serendipity Quilts into the house and it got me started on my current love of collage.
11. What is a quilting skill you admire in your daughter/mother?
Bonnie has a very different style than mine. She is extremely creative and anxious to try new things. She is into modern, innovative styles and does a beautiful job creating quilts while using these new-found skills. She is not afraid to try far-out, sometimes crazy, ideas. They bring about amazing results. I love it! But, I’m just not that brave.
12. If you give your daughter/mother advice, does she take it?
She often takes my advice. But, frequently says, “Wait, Mom, let me figure this out myself.” I tend to speak too soon many times.
I feel great pleasure sharing this hobby with my daughter. We live together and spend many happy hours being creative. Lucky us!