This interview is part of the Canadian Quilters Showcase series. I wanted to share with the world some of the amazing talent found here in our country. Quilters from across Canada have submitted quilts with their stories and are featured monthly. Know someone who should be showcased? Nominate them!
Meet Sandra Hobson!
This talented quilter dabbled in the art of quilting during the 1970’s and has been seriously quilting since 2007. Sandra is a semi-retired academic living in Parksville, British Columbia where she spends her time teaching Workplace Health Science courses online for Pacific Coast University and of course quilting.
Sandra is a member of the Parksville Quilt House Quilters’ Guild, the second oldest in BC and the oldest on Vancouver Island. There are over 300 members, also making the Parksville guild one of the largest guilds around. Before moving to Parksville Sandra lived in London Ontario and belonged to the London Modern Quilt Guild.
Like many of us, Sandra’s New Year’s resolution is to better organize her stash, which is extensive, so she can find what she has more quickly and with less mess left behind. Quilting goals!
I love the use of colour and technique that creates so much movement in this quilt. Tangerine Twist was the quilt that started this showcase series. I saw it and was so inspired, I wanted to inspire other quilters. During a conversation with a none quilting friend of mine the idea of showcasing talent was discussed and the Canadian Quilters Showcase was born.
Quilt name: Tangerine Twist
Finished size: 67.5″ x 88″
Pieced by: Sandra
Quilted by: Sandra
Why did you choose this pattern? How long did it take to make this quilt? Where did you get the pattern? Fabric?
The pattern is called Cosmic Twist by Eileen Wright (in her book Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts). I had the opportunity to take a workshop from Eileen in North Vancouver, and this was one of the patterns available for the course and it was queen sized, which I wanted. I thought I was going to use blues and lime greens, but when I walked into the quilt shop (Sweet Pea, in Parksville), a bright tangerine batik caught my eye, and it was love at first sight. So, here I am with a teals and oranges quilt, hence the name Tangerine Twist. Because this quilt was for me, other quilts with deadlines kept intervening, so it took me close to two years to finish it. I stalled for a few months over the decision of how wide the borders should be, since it is for a queen guest bed. Another challenge was quilting it on my (second hand) Husqvarna Lily 545. Now that’s a workout, man-handling a queen size quilt on a home machine with a 7 inch throat.
Why do you quilt? What do you like most about it? What do you like least about it?
I love the creativity and choosing colours. I have always been attracted to colours. I know lots of folks do not like the actual quilting, but I like all stages, except “un-quilting” (ripping out mistakes).
Were there special people or circumstances that encouraged you to begin to quilt?
My mother did many other crafts, and I heard that my grandmother quilted (all by hand in those days), but it was my sister who really got me interested in quilting.
What do you do with your finished quilts?
Most I give to friends or to charities (my guild’s Comfort Quilt program and auctions for various good causes). I only have 3 quilts and some table runners for myself, but I have a few plans…
How do you decide on the colours and fabrics that go into your quilts?
Sometimes I am inspired by things I have seen – quilts, scenery – but more often a particularly lovely piece of fabric calls my name, and I try to build form there.
What do you think of Tangerine Twist? Tell us in the comments!
Do you have a quilt you’d like showcased? Submit it! Do you know someone who should be showcased? Nominate them!
February 2019 Showcase ~ Dragonfly
Interesting! Gorgeous quilt. I love the showcase idea. You neglected to include Sandra’s last name though.
I’m glad you are enjoying the showcase!