A Writer Who Loves QuiltsBefore I retired from teaching ...

 

A Writer Who Loves Quilts

Before I retired from teaching and became a full-time writer, I used to dabble in many arts and crafts. One of my favorite things to do was quilt, and I made many of them, selling most of them in craft shows. I not only made quilts, but I studied them. Some of the first magazine articles I wrote were about quilts and quilting. I've even appraised their value.

With an Appalachian heritage, I come from a long line of craftspeople. My great-aunt, embroidered, made quilts, and did other crafts to be sent to a gallery in New York City and sold there. My mother was talented and did many crafts, but interestingly, I brought her back to quilting when I became so involved in it. She used traditional patterns, but she also liked to draw her own, like this morning glory appliqued quilt she made for me.

Now, my quilt background enters some of my novels. The first one that focused on a quilter was Got Your Goat. Set in the Appalachian Mountains right after the Civil War, Emily Rose was both a quilter and a potter, but she had more success with her quilting. Then, two quilts play a very important part in Lily finding a happy future in Lily: Christmas Quilt Brides. The next book of mine in the same series, Andrea, involves an avid quilter and will publish on December 6th. As much as I love quilting, I'm sure they will be included in more books to come.
Got Your Goat Lily Andrea

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