The quilter selected for our October showcase is Kristy Lawrence.
This lovely lady is one heck of a quilter! Always working on a new, fantastic project, Kristy is constantly creating beautiful pieces in a variety of styles.
1. How did you get started in quilting?
My sister taught me to quilt in 2001 during a visit to her house in Iowa. Each year when I go back, we work on projects together; sometimes making "sister quilts" which can either be completely matching or we'll each use the same pattern, but with different fabrics. We've also started scheduling quilting retreats together, just the two of us, so that we have uninterrupted time to visit and quilt!
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
I can't live without my 1/4" seam sewing machine foot with guide!
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
Hmmmm. That's a tough one. Besides "measure twice, cut once" and "double check that your block is being sewn on in the correct direction if you're sewing past midnight" (yes, I've had to seam rip blocks out at 2:00 AM to fix them), I would say I've learned my lesson when purchasing fabrics on a trip.
My husband and I used to take lots of road trips where I would purchase fabrics that would remind me of the area (baseball fabric near the Baseball Hall of Fame, moose fabric when in Alaska, etc). However, when it came time to using them in a quilt, I would often struggle to find a pattern where I would have enough fabric to make what I wanted and/or lots of time had passed where I couldn't get anymore of that fabric.
This spring, I was creating a quilt from fabric I'd purchased 5 years ago in Hawaii. I was just SIX inches short of one of the fabrics to complete the quilt pattern I'd chosen. I did lots of research and NOBODY had that fabric anymore! I was able to find something close, and unless you know the story, you can't find the 4 small pieces where I had to use the substitute fabric! Now when I travel and buy souvenir fabric, I also buy or have a pattern chosen so I buy enough of each fabric!
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
That's a no brainer for me. It's my Moose Quilt. I saw the quilt hanging at a quilt show in Sonora, CA and had to find the pattern. I tracked down the quilter and she helped me find where I could buy the pattern. The moose faces reminded me of my yellow Lab, but with antlers. So, I just loved it! It's my only quilt that hangs as art (except for my wall hangings). One of my favorite things about it is the fabric - pinecone fabric for antlers, pine needle fabric in the trees, etc.
5. What do you do with your quilts?
I have some quilts on beds, some folded in bookcases, some are given as gifts, and I have seasonal wall hangings that I change out monthly.
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
I have received a couple of my seasonal wallhangings as gifts from my sister. They are so special since they were made by her!
7. What type of quilting do you most enjoy?
I love making holiday/seasonal quilts, t-shirt quilts, and baby 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 a retired teacher, mom of three grown boys, and grandmother to (almost) 4. I taught Second Grade for 22 years and then Reading Intervention (grades K-6) for 3 years before I retired in 2023.
In September of 2023, I moved to Chico. When I retired, my first quilting goal was to fill in my inventory of seasonal wall hangings. I already had 5 of them and over the course of the first year of my retirement, I was able to finish the remaining 7!
Now, I'm working on seasonal table runners for my dining room table.
I love quilting, of course, but I also love reading and hanging out with my kids and grandkids. I also make applique Christmas stockings for my family and have a new one I'll need to make soon as I have a new grandson.
