Pam Peterson – Eugene, OR

5-3-2021

Your Name:  Pam Peterson

At what age did you start sewing/quilting? Middle School- so about 12.    I made a down vest from a kit in Home Ec.  It has some embroidery on it.  And, I still have it in the closet.

What is your most favorite project you ever made and why?  A flannel quilt I made for my husband.  The reason it is my favorite is that I made it for him as a Christmas gift.  The best part about it was, he knew I was sewing on a project, but he did not even consider that it was something for him.  I also am proud of the graduation quilts I have made for nieces, nephews, best friends’ kids, and of course my own children.

Who or what inspired you to become a quilter?   I saw Elanor Burns on TV in the early 1990’s.  But it wasn’t until I took a class with a co-worker friend that I found my love for quilting.  I have been quilting then since about 1994.

What color do you have a hard time using in your quilts and why? Yellow.  I like to look of a small splash of yellow in a quilt, but not really my favorite color. (I don’t look good in yellow).

What color seems to always make its way into your quilts? Blue and greens

Do you do other types of sewing besides quilting? (clothing, home décor, etc.) I have made some garments, but mostly focus on quilting.

Do you have other creative hobbies? (cooking, knitting, painting, gardening….) I enjoy baking, simple gardening, a little bit of knitting and crochet.  I also worked on some scrapbooking.   One craft I really used to enjoy was counted cross stitch.  My vision won’t allow much of that anymore. 

If you won a shopping spree to a quilt store, what is the first thing you would splurge on? Probably start with getting all the Creative Grids ruler/templates that I want.  Then move on to fat quarter bundles of all that pretty fabric that is on the market.

Did you name your sewing machine? No

Favorite sewing gadget? I could not do this craft without the rotary cutter and ruler.

What treats do you indulge in while working in your sewing room? I really don’t eat when I am sewing.  At most I have a glass of water in my sewing area. Sewing keeps me from eating things I should not be eating.

What’s your oldest UFO? I really don’t have many UFO’s.  Since retirement (Oct 2019) and Covid, I have been able to work on and finish several quilt tops.  I am budgeting them to have them LAQ.  So, maybe only about a year.

Your best sewing tip: First, buy the best equipment you can afford.  Having the right tools makes things easier. But mostly, most of us do this for fun and relaxation.  So, have fun.  If you are not having fun, try a new technique. 

What is your favorite technique (hand embroidery, hand applique, machine applique, etc.)

I have recently tried my hand at hand embroidery.  Gives me something to do in the evenings while watching TV with my husband.  And, it is portable enough to take on road trips.

What type of quilt or block is on your “bucket list” and why? Drunkard path or variation.  I think this pattern is interesting and again it would be a new technique.

Tell us about your family (children, grandchildren, fur babies, etc.) I am married almost 34 years.  We have 2 adult children, both married themselves.  My daughter and SIL have my 2 precious grandchildren.  And we have a Shih-tzu named Gizmo (the pic of him I call Gipsy Giz). 

Where do you live, and what is your favorite thing about where you live? I live in Eugene, OR.   The climate here is wonderful.  Mild weather, rarely super cold or hot.  We do get snow in the winter, but it doesn’t hang around long. And we are about an hour drive to the Pacific coast, and about an hour drive to the mountains.

Favorite vacation spot? First, I would have to say Hawaii.  But also, I have a love for Israel.  I will be taking my 3rd trip there later this year.

Favorite food? Boy, this is hard because I like a lot of different kinds of food. I am going to say summer food—lots of fresh fruits and veggies and berries. But I also like winter comfort food, soups, stews, casseroles. 

Favorite television show?  Right now shows like HGTV’s Home Town and Fixer Upper.

If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you? I really don’t follow Hollywood stuff too closely.   I think Sandra Bullock…she does well in anything she acts in.  

Are you a rightie or leftie? Rightie

Anything else you’d like to share: I am so happy to be in this group.   I am also in the Hometown BOM sew along.  I love how you have provided a foundational pattern for the block, then how people are putting their own spin on it.  It has encouraged me and given me so much inspiration for my own projects.  This is such a creative group of crafters and I am learning new things every day.