| 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 Me
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.
