Say “hi” to our next member in the spotlight, Nancy Seid. Nancy’s one who joined BMQG during the 2020 shutdown, when Zoom meetings were the thing.
The Spotlight is simply a way to learn a little about each other and our shared love of quilting. And, each Spotlight member gets time at the next meeting to be, well, in the spotlight and share some of her favorite modern quilts or other works.
What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing?
Nancy: My grandmother gave me sewing cards when I was four, which I worked and worked on. My mother taught me to sew on her Singer Featherweight. I only started quilting a few years ago.
How did you first get involved with Boise Modern Quilt Guild?
Nancy: My little sister Joanna is a quilter and professional sewist. I thought I wasn’t good enough to join a guild, but she told me how much fun she had and encouraged me to join. I looked at the web page for BMQG and loved the projects and inspiration. Such an active, interesting group to learn from.
What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs?
Nancy: I gravitate to bright saturated colors, with a white or light gray background. I like bold geometrics with unexpected color combinations. I haven’t made many quilts yet, so I don’t have a particular style or aesthetic yet.
Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting?
Nancy: My sister is my inspiration. She is a fabric recycler, very creative and artistic. I show her my works in progress and she helps me if I get stuck and is always encouraging.
What do you do when you aren’t quilting?
Nancy: I work at Boise State coordinating academic services for students with disabilities. One thing I do is coaching college students with ADHD. I use techniques for focus and project completion when I am quilting, and inspiration from quilting for the students: visualization of completed projects; “finished is better than perfect.” I am also in a book club and participate in church activities.
What are you working on now?
Nancy: My bear quilt and baby clothes for my 1-year-old granddaughter. Another granddaughter is graduating from high school next May, so she’s going to get a quilt.
What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection?
Nancy: The half-square triangle quilt has been in process for two years. I did not have the needed precision skills when I started it. The Guild members gave me some ideas on reformatting it.
What do you listen to or watch while you’re sewing? Do you have any recommendations to share?
Nancy: I listen to podcasts: This American Life, Hidden Brain, and Dateline NBC.