Nimble Thimbles: Member Spotlight--Berta!

Member Spotlight–Berta Knapp

I’m a retired physical therapist and a senior citizen. (still south of seventy). I live with my husband of 43 years in Gilbert. We have two sons, one granddaughter, and two grandsons.

Q: When did you start quilting?

A: About 17 years ago. I sewed my own clothes through high school and college, but when polyester went out, so did my home made garments. Anyway, we went back to the Midwest on vacation, and friends that we visited were quilters. (very accomplished ones) Three different ones during the one trip. I was amazed, and quickly hooked. I think that the unbelievable fabric colors and patterns that were so different from my grandmother’s quilting days grabbed me too.

Q: What would you tell a newbie that you wish you had known when you started?

A: So many things. I guess I would say to get a brightly colored reference book that might answer just about any questions you might have. I learned the most from a Beginner book by Alex Anderson. I recommended it often, and of course, gave mine away. But get some fabric, and just go for it. You learn as much by screwing up and seeing what you did wrong, (and perhaps more) than by being a perfectionist. Take a look at the back in any quilt book that you find. See if the instructions regarding layout, rotary cutting, sandwiching, and binding, make some sense to you. The pull out pages in quilt magazines are often really good instruction manuals too.

Q: What kind of a quilter are you?

A: I think I’d call myself traditional. But I like primary colors and bright fabric. I often buy multiple pieces from the same fabric line, just to keep things “safe”. But I don’t mind kicking things up too. I seem to be drawn to buying border prints. Then can’t quite figure out how to use them. ???

Q: What’s your favorite sewing/quilting tip?

A: Organize your stuff. And have a cleaning PLAN. I clean up my space COMPLETELY every time I complete a project. (clean machine, wipe tops of tables, vacuum etc.) All my tools, patterns, thread, etc. have a “home”, even if they don’t get to rest there very often. I don’t bother putting everything away, and cleaning in the middle of my work, unless I’m expecting VIP folks or something. (Sometimes, I clean everything up just because I have a project that needs to go into “time out” for awhile). I’m not completely OCD, but need a sense of completion. Believe me, I never have all my projects done.

Q: Do you have a favorite quilt block, pattern or designer?

A: I like Marti Michel's cutting techniques. I love Jenny Beyer fabrics and have used them. I like her patterns, although I haven’t completed any of them. I can’t see myself totally doing things by hand.

Q: Do you have a favorite notion or tool you can’t quilt without?

A: I’m a tool junkie. But I received a 6” X 12” QUILTER’S SELECT ruler from a friend recently. I use it constantly.

Q: Do you quilt your own quilts?

A: I do. On a home machine. I have two machines, a Brother 1500S and a Janome 9800 that have extra throat space. I enjoy it, but at times think I’m more than a bit crazy, because those quilts get heavy!!

Q: What’s your favorite part of the quilting process?

A: The final trimming before the binding. Ahhhhhh. I don’t know. I really enjoy the process. The design, the progression, the choices that have to be made for sashing and borders, deciding what quilting patterns will enhance it, and watching the it EMERGE.

Q: What part of the quilting process do you dislike or struggle with?

A: I HATE the sandwiching part!!!!! But my husband is willing to do it for me. YAY.

Q: Do you design your own quilts?

A: I use elements and patterns from other folks, but put my own twists in it. I don’t think I can really call myself a designer.

Q: What inspires you to create?

A: Bright colors. Florals. Contrasts. Bling. I don’t know. I swear the fabrics say, “pick me”.

Q: Do you do any other crafts? Which ones?

A:I play the piano and the organ. Does that count? I also make sequined Christmas stockings from time to time. I know how to knit and crochet, but both of those really hurt my hands.

Q: How many quilts have you made?

A: I would guess more than a hundred. Wish I had kept a journal. I’m sure I made at least 20 quilts from Andover’s the Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric line.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: Three baby quilts, a set of 4 Celtic Knot applique wall hangings, and I need to start on one more wall hanging to go in our bedroom. (new quilt for the bed.)

Q: What do you wish you knew how to do (quilt related) and hope to learn?
A: My applique skills are bad. I’d like to improve. I like learning more about stitching with Westalee rulers. Fun stuff.

Q: Do you have quilt related business that you want to share with us?

A: Nope. Quilting is for fun.

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If you too want to be a member spotlight, please copy and paste these questions and answers to me along with some pictures! It is SEW much fun getting to know you!

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