The quilter selected for our April showcase is Mary Ann Hagan.
Within a relatively short span of time, Mary Ann has excelled in all aspects of quilting, just as she has with the other artistic endeavors that she pursues.
1. How did you get started in quilting?
I began my quilting journey in January 2016. Previous to that, I had only sewn one thing, back in the 70’s, with a friend who was an excellent seamstress. I only remember two things about that experience: first, that it was a blouse and second, my friend telling me to tear out a sleeve again and again.
Fast forward to 2016: I went into Cathy’s Sew & Vac to buy carpet shampoo. Out of curiosity, I wandered into Honey Run Quilters. That’s when I saw that a beginning quilting class was being offered, taught by Terri Clary. I immediately signed up. I was worried that it might require too much detail to hold my attention. But, I wanted to give it a try. After that very first class, I was hooked and haven’t stopped quilting since.
I still have that first quilt and I'll occasionally look at it, appreciating the growth I’ve made in my quilting journey. I would like to give a nod to Terri who attributed greatly to my growth as a quilter.
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
I would have to say it’s my beloved Pam Damour seam ripper. There really are differences in seam rippers! This one has a very sharp point and cuts easily. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty!
The other notion I use all the time, in paper piecing, is my fabric folding pen. I find it helps to press a tighter seam when folding both the fabric and the paper together. Of course, tearing the paper out, once something is pieced, is the least fun part in paper piecing for me. But, it becomes much easier to take the paper out when I use the fabric folding pen to moisten the seam on the paper side. It also helps lessen the stress on seams.
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
What comes to mind isn’t really a funny story, although it became a funny story for me six years later.
In my first year of learning to quilt, I fell in love with a Missouri Star quilt pattern called Tangled Geese. I did such a horrible job making it that I sent it off to the land fill. But, I was still determined to make that quilt! So, two years later, I tried again. This time, it was better. But, unfortunately, not by much. It was, once again, sent packing to the land fill courtesy of Waste Management. I am happy to announce it is the only quilt project I have ever thrown away.
Another two years of learning passed and I felt ready to try again. This time, it seemed so easy to make! I enlarged the quilt to queen size and I sleep beneath it during warm weather seasons. If nothing else, it demonstrates my determination to become a better quilter.
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
This is a very hard question to answer! You would think the Tangled Geese quilt would be my favorite, since I attempted to make it three times. But, it isn’t! I would have to say that two of my art quilts: The Full Moon and Arthur, The Forest Prince are currently my favorites.
Arthur came as a kit that was given to me by a sister. So, that made it special. I also added a border that was not part of the pattern instructions. I had to really work the math to make the border fit my piece. It's the only quilt I've had custom quilted so far.
The Full Moon is an art piece that I chose to make when I attended a Donna Greenwald class. Last year, I entered it in the Silver Dollar Fair and it was awarded Best of Show. The challenge for me was making a log cabin background that represented a night sky, with a full moon giving off just enough light to see an owl sitting in an oak tree.
"A sister gifted me this kit titled The Stage. It came with laser cut pieces (forming the Stage) and a placement sheet. That was it. I wanted an elegant border. But, I had to work the math to get it to fit the piece. Jo Schreiber quilted it. It is the only quilt that I've had fully custom quilted. I named it Arthur, the Forest Prince."I kept my very first quilt. But, from 2016 through 2020, I gave away all of my other quilts. I would estimate that about twenty quilts were given away to family and friends during that time.
"Quilt made for my granddaughter using 30’s reproduction fabrics"
"A Quiltworx paper pieced table runner/wall hanging. Given to the Ridge Guild for their Christmas Home Tour 2 years ago."
"A quilt I didn't like and never finished-turned dog bed."
"A Quiltworx pattern that I made for a sister."
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
I've received a quilt made by my youngest sister, who is also a quilt maker. I slept beneath it for over a week. But, it was way too big for my bed. I found myself tripping on the overage. So, I ended up storing it in my closet for quite some time. Last year, I decided I could decrease its size by taking it apart and decreasing its border. It’s currently waiting for me to attach a new binding so that I can use it once again.
7. What type of quilting do you most enjoy?
Although I do like traditional quilt piecing, I love to paper piece!!! I find there is a certain rhythm to paper piecing that I enjoy. I also prefer sampler quilt patterns where every block is different. These quilts hold my attention longer than patterns that have you construct the same block repeatedly.
I also love quilted art pieces! I’ve taken as many Donna Greenwald and Lynne Pillus classes. I feel these classes help me continue to improve my skills in the art quilt arena. Using Lynne’s techniques, I made a quilted portrait of a friend’s German Shepard. I gifted it to her and she was so impressed with it that she asked me to enter it in the 2023 Silver Dollar Fair. To my surprise, it won Best of Show! When I returned the quilted portrait to my friend, I included the ribbon it was awarded.
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.
The thing I cherish most is being the mother to my son, Sage, who is currently teaching scuba diving in Kauai. As a single mother, who went to school part time and worked full time, I never seemed to have any time to explore various hobbies. I worked in the Head Start program in Butte County for eight years. Following that, I accepted the position of Associate Superintendent for the Glenn County Office of Education. In this role, I was responsible for the administration of all early childhood programs. I retired in 2010, after doing this for thirty-two years.
Upon retirement, I finally had time to explore the hobbies I thought that I might enjoy. Other than quilting, most of these turned out to be short lived. For the last three years though, I’ve become active in the Leo T. Clark Iris Society in addition to taking watercolor classes.
My 2025 quilting goals are to continue learning and always continue improving. Though I rarely make small quilts, my plan is to make and COMPLETE these three queen size quilts:
1. The Vintage Christmas quilt, a block of the month class offered through Cathy's/Honey Run Quilters.
2. The Alaska quilt, which will be a class tentatively scheduled to start in September at Cathy's/Honey Run Quilters. My quilt mentor, Terri Clary, will be teaching the class.
3. On my own, I want to make the Cattails in the Meadow quilt by Quiltworx.
While I have always enjoyed gardening, fishing, and camping throughout my life, I now find I do very little of the last two due to getting older.
Lastly, I am a big fan of dogs. I currently have a rescued black German Shepard (my favorite breed). In the past, I’ve had up to three dogs at one time. I would probably have more now but let’s face it, vet bills are expensive and picking up poop is never fun.
"My first attempt at a fabric landscape."
"The pattern is called Sisterscape. It was my first time making New York Beauties.
I didn't think I was ever going to finish it!"
"An example of a sampler quilt using 1800s reproduction fabrics that I made for a sister."
"My little Singer Feather Weight sewing machine."
"My second landscape quilted art piece."
"Another sampler quilt using different 1800s reproduction fabrics. I kept this one!"
"The center of a quilted poinsettia that I made one Christmas. I took apart a silk poinsettia to create the center petals. I used tiny jingle bells and some iron-on crystals to give it some pop."
"A collage wall hanging made just in time for Halloween."
"A paper pierced pattern. It was made with hand dyed fabric and given to another sister."
Meet the Celestial Garden quilt. The pattern is by a local designer. It was the hardest quilt I've made to date. 32 Y-seams!
"A simple flannel quilt made for a cabin."
"This was a quilt pattern I was asked to test for a designer."
"A paper pieced quilt using blocks designed by Jane Dole from the book 50 State Star Blocks. With help from Terri Clary, I created my own paper piece pieced sashing to bring it together."
"Who doesn't like barn quilts?"
"One barn quilt isn't enough. I made 11! It adds color to the yard during dreary winter months."
"Dabbling with watercolors."
"I don't think I'll live long enough to master watercolor. But, it's fun to try."
"Sewing with friends is the best!"
"In April 2024, I entered my very first flower into the Iris show. Since I didn't know the name of my Iris, I was only eligible to enter into the floral arrangements division. I had two hours to come up with an arrangement. I kept it simple and it did very well."
Featured Quilter.
