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A word about Mary Lou from her cousin Lance (who runs a program for AIDS orphans in Zambia, Africa)...

"After I finally got through security, I was startled to hear a voice call out "Lance!" Only to find it was my prettiest cousin, Mary Lou.

She is a professional quilter, spending about 6 months a year flying around the country (s) giving lectures, demonstrations, workshops, to her publisher (she's written three books), and she has her own fabric line. Sort of the Martha Stewart of textiles. She was on her way to California for three weeks, and so we had an hour to spend together.

Pausing only briefly to note that I was going to Africa for a year, she lectured me on the pros and cons of using chenille vs. chintz in a quilt, why professional quilters should never marry rock stars, why appliqué is the most underrated quilting technique, and irrefutable proof that the next sweeping cultural revolution will not come from technology but from quilting groups throughout the country meeting in converted schoolhouses and basement bunkers.

Have your needles ready!"

- Lance

 

About Mary Lou Weidman

I have always had an interest in art and working with my hands as far back as I can remember. I loved spending time hand piecing as a child with my grandmother and painting and drawing with my father. In the 1970's, I once again picked up thread and needle to do a sampler and a puff quilt (my first finished project).

After making many, many pieced quilts in 1988, I developed my own folk style of story quilts telling about people, places and wonderful things I saw that touched my heart. Making people smile is what my designs are all about. Touching the eye, the heart, and the funny bone are my number one goals in quiltmaking.

In 1997, I wrote my first book "Whimsies and Whynots-A Playful Approach to Quiltmaking" (published by Martingale) and that same year I painted and designed my first line of fabrics. In 1998, I wrote "Everyday Angels in Extraordinary Quilts" (published by Martingale) and designed another line of bright and whimsical fabrics.

In 2001, I wrote my newest book called "Quilted Memories/Celebrations of Life" (published by C&T). I feel that all happy events should be memorialized in quilts for diary type pieces that will tell about the quilter long after they are gone. "Life is a celebration and quilting can help celebrate life's finest moments." I very much enjoy teaching both nationally and internationally. It is the interesting and touching stories that quilters related and indeed put into quilts that make it so fulfilling to be a teacher.

I own a pattern company and work together with my daughter-in-law Janelle who is married to my son Jason. "Mary Lou Quilt Designs" offers sentimental, colorful and happy patterns and kits. Our goal is to make people smile.

I live in Washington State, and have been married to my husband Mark for 33 years. Together, we have three grown children, Shelbi, Shari and Jason and two grandchildren.

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