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The quilter selected for our May showcase is customer Susan Armington.
Susan is an accomplished and knowledgeable quilter. She is truly a pleasure to interact with, brightening the day of every person she encounters.



1.   How did you get started in quilting?

Thanks to the guidance of my mother and paternal grandmother, I have loved to sew since I was about 7 years old. I primarily made my own clothes and never considered quilting. Then, in 2002, while living in Red Bluff, I discovered a new fabric shop there called In Stitches. The owner of the shop, Erda Fleming, convinced me I’d love quilting – and she was right! I not only became a quilter, but also ended up working in her shop for several years until it closed. I learned so much from the customers, guild members, and guest instructors.


2.   What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?


The quilting notion that I can’t do without is Honey Run Quilters. We are so lucky to have a great local quilt shop with a wide range of quality fabric, as well as a welcoming and knowledgeable staff in Chico.



3.   If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.

I was making a quilt for a friend and the designer of the pattern indicated that she didn’t press any seams until the quilt was all sewn together. I thought that would be a great time saver, so I tried it. I’ll never do that again! It was a nightmare trying to press the hundreds of seams at one time. 



4.   If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?

My favorite is my Pumpkin and Pomegranate quilt, which was not only my first appliqué project, but my first hand quilted project. It took more than a year to complete and is one quilt I won’t part with.


5.   What do you do with your quilts?


I give away most of my quilts – to family and friends. I have also donated several quilts to fund raisers.


6.   Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.


When I worked at In Stitches, Erda would select the pattern and fabric for a quilt. Then, I’d piece together the quilt top and she’d send the quilt out to be machine quilted. Once it was quilted, she would finish by binding it and display it in the shop. When she no longer needed the quilt to be on display, she would “gift” it back to me. So yes, in a way, I’ve received several quilts as gifts that I'd actually made.


7.   What type of quilting do you most enjoy?

I most enjoy any kind of appliqué: needle turn, freezer paper, even iron-on appliqué.

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.

For decades, I’ve loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and counted cross-stitch. I retired from a 28 year career with Social Security in 2002. Around the same time that I discovered quilting, I began volunteering at Shasta College as an instructor in an “English As A Second Language” class that they offered. While I was doing this, I began giving new moms a baby quilt and a children's book, in English, to welcome the baby. I’ve continued this tradition of giving baby quilts and children's books each time a new great niece or nephew is born in our extended family, and also to new moms in our neighborhood.

 

My husband and I relocated to Chico in 2015 and it was one of the best moves we’ve made in our 36 years of marriage. We take long walks every day and love living in such a friendly town.