September 2022

President’s Message Judy Hoffman Happy September!

As the kids and teachers get ready to go back to school I am sure there are many parents out there
ready to see them go back.
A new school year always presents a chance to meet new friends. Now is your chance to get to
know some FSQ members that might be new to you.
Each month I am asking a few members to tell us about how they got to quilting. Enjoy their stories.

Elizabeth Rice
During my family’s yearly trip to the mid-west, one of my quilting aunts would consult me about fabric
selection and teach me sewing machine basics through tote bags. My other quilting aunt had an
antique quilt on her guest bed which became my first inspiration. These aunts (one from each side of
the family) provided the initial spark, but I mostly taught myself through online blogs and video
tutorials.
The first week of summer my sophomore year of high school, with nothing to do, I decided…”Why
not make a quilt like Aunt Jean’s?” With help from WikiHow, graph paper, and a fabric store
employee, I made my first baby-sized Trip Around the World. I was back to the shop a few days later
asking what I would need to turn my top into a finished quilt and to buy more fabric for a second! It’s
been about 8 years now and I’ve used all my summers listening to Jane Austen audiobooks while
making more.

Stacy Ross
I’m happy that Judy invited me to share an introduction with the guild! My husband and I moved to
Maryland from Jacksonville, FL twenty years ago. We have three sons, ages 10, 12, and 14. I left my
job in mortgage compliance when my oldest was born, and have really enjoyed being a stay-at-home
mom.
Now that the boys are older and I have more free time while they’re at school, I have enjoyed turning
my attention back to my crafty hobbies! I have always loved drawing, cross stitch, paper crafts, and
photography, but I didn’t pick up quilting until January 2020. My mom, sister, and I decided to join a
quilt-along on Instagram, and I was instantly hooked!

I have made about a dozen quilts and several smaller projects since that first one, and probably
have enough fabric stashed away to make about 100 more. I have also collected a slightly ridiculous
number of quilt patterns over the past couple of years, and am always on the lookout for new ones.
My style could be described as fairly traditional with a hint of modern – some of my favorite pattern
designers are Thimble Blossoms, Gigi’s Thimble, Jedi Craft Girl, and Coriander Quilts.
I am a new-ish member of FSQ, having just joined the guild in September 2021. I’m thrilled to be a
part of the FSQ Programs Committee with Judy Walsh and Michele Barnard – we’re really excited to
book some fun speakers for the guild!
If anyone is on Instagram and would like to see what I have been up to, I post my crafty adventures
on my account @stacy.made.it. I look forward to getting to know everyone better!