11-14-22 – Betty Domal – Moore County, TN

Our Second Member of the Week is Betty Domal!

Let’s say hello to Betty & get to know her!

Name: Betty Domal 

Where are you from and where do you live now?: I live in Moore County, TN. (about 7 miles from Lynchburg, TN – home of the Jack Daniels Distillery. However, I don’t drink alcohol. I moved there when during Christmas vacation when I was in the 5th grade. When I got my first full time I moved to nearby Tullahoma, TN and lived there for about 15 years after I married. Then my late husband and I bought part of the farm I grew up on and we moved to Moore County. I still live in that house. I have lived in Tennessee all my life (86 years) except a short time. When I was a baby my family lived in Rossville, GA, but I was too young to remember. In December 2020 I had a near fatal case of Covid-19 and was in a hospital for treatment for 5 days. I still have not gotten my strength fully back and use a walking cane. Covid causes a lot of changes in a person’s life. 

What is your favorite project you’ve ever made and why?: Although I belong to a quilt guild, I sew more than I quilt. I make small projects, not large quilts. I do love to paper piece and one of the favorite things I have made is a small paper-pieced quilt that fits in a table frame. It is a paper pieced lady seated in a rocking chair with a quilt on her lap. It was quite a challenge as the pieces were so small. I ripped some of them out so many times I thought I was going to wear the paper, but I finally finished it and am really proud of it. It is on display in my sewing room. I also have a table runner that I really like as it was made from border fabrics and you had to have exact measurements of the borders. It turned out really beautiful and it is on a table in my sewing room. 

What color seems to always make its way into your quilts?: My favorite colors are green, purple, yellow and red. I don’t have a lot of red, but the other colors are usually in things I make. 

Do you do other types of sewing besides quilting? : I don’t sew clothes any more. but I used to make a lot of my clothing. I also like to make baby bibs, burp pads and placemats

Do you have other creative hobbies?: I enjoy crocheting and have made many afghans for myself and for gifts. I love to read mysteries (good old fashioned “who dunnits”, not gory ones..I love Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark , Phyllis Whitney and the Perry Mason books.

What’s your oldest UFO? Any tips on how you keep them from piling up?: I have no idea what my oldest one and I really don’t have a way to keep them from piling up !!!!! I just dig one out now and then and finish it. 

What’s your favorite creative outlet?: I guess sewing

Tell us about your family! : My parents (both deceased) were the parents of myself the two years later my only sibling, my late brother who died after a long battle with cancer. I was married for 49 years to my late husband, who died in late 2011 from Parkinson’s disease and having had a stroke. We did not have any children. My brother’s widow now lives in the house with me and she also belongs to the same quilt guild I do.

What’s your favorite food? : Fried chicken, pinto beans, slices of onions and cornbread. 

What’s your favorite TV Show or Movie?: Any good mystery: Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote, Columbo, Mannix, Cannon

Who’s your favorite fabric designer?: I don’t think I really have one. I just look at the fabrics I like and don’t really look at the designer. 

Do you have a favorite collection from The Art of Home Club?: I haven’t really made any of the collections, but I have patterns for a lot of them which are some of my UFOs !!! 

Is there anything else you’d like to share??: I just enjoy getting the the mail and Facebook posts of The Art of Home Club