This month, we’re featuring Cathy Rogers in the Member Spotlight series. 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.
How did you first get involved in with Boise Modern Quilt Guild?
Cathy: I read about Quilt Con (Austin, Texas in 2013) in one of my quilting magazines and wanted to go and in order to go, I needed to be a member of a modern quilt guild. I talked to my quilting friends and learned about the Boise Modern Quilt Guild and joined.
What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing?
Cathy: My mom always sewed clothes, costumes, etc. when I was growing up but I had no interest in learning how to sew. In my early 30’s, a friend from book club wanted to take a beginning quilt class at Quilt Crossing and asked me if I wanted to go. I said yes, even though I did not own a sewing machine. The teacher taught the class using plastic templates and urged us to use our non-dominant foot to push the pedal, consequently I push the pedal with my left foot to this day.
I was (partially) hooked and bought a sewing machine. After the class was over, I worked on the quilt on my own and then lost interest – my first of many UFO’s. A year or so later, I wanted to make some Christmas gifts and asked my dear friend Darla Christiansen for assistance. She came over and helped me and which made me think that sewing had more to offer than templates. Another friend, Marcia Howard, told me of a beginning quilt class taught by a couple of her friends – Gwen Smith and Teresa Church – that would provide different quilting techniques. I took the class and that truly was the beginning of my quilting love and provided a quilting community.
What’s your most memorable, or favorite, quilting project?
Cathy: I took a paper piecing class at Country Quilter to learn paper piecing. The pattern we worked on was “Christmas Pickle.” I loved the pattern and really like paper piecing. However, I didn’t realize when I started that the quilt had 120 pinwheels. My friend Denise talked our other friends into having a sew day where we all worked on my pinwheels. I finished the quilt and it’s my favorite quilt, not only because of its aesthetic but also knowing all the wonderful friends who helped make it.
How would you describe your quilting design style or aesthetic?
Cathy: I really like modern quilts and have grown to love various modern fabric designers – Tula Pink especially. I also appreciate the philosophy of the modern quilt movement with promoting diversity and inclusion in quilting and art. I still quilt some traditional quilts occasionally, trying to honor quilting history. I believe my aesthetic is evolving. Most of my modern quilts are not scrappy or improvisational but I am drawn to those types of quilts. I need to break out of my safe zone and take the plunge. One of my favorite quilts is “Urban Legend” which has buildings divided into morning, noon, and night segments. I made the quilt using my scraps and grunge fabric and love the result.
What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs?
Cathy: I love purple. I also like grunge fabric and anything Tula Pink. I just saw a new designer – William Reue – that I’m really excited about. I have made several Elizabeth Hartman quilts and love the results. I don’t have a signature shape but am drawn to lines more than curves.
Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting?
Cathy: I took a classes from Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, Jean Wells, and Susan Carlson. All of these women are inspiring and nudged me out of my safe zone into a more artistic mind set. Of course, my quilting friends influence me continuously and I feel blessed the have them in my life.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Cathy: I’m the tiniest bit obsessed with the Walt Longmire book series. I have read them all at least twice. They are my “go to” books when I feel like I just need to seep, like a tea bag in hot water.
What do you do when you aren’t quilting?
Cathy: I love all things books. I have a reading goal each year, this year is 34 books. I listen to “What Should I Read Next” podcast, and am a member of the Cabin and enjoy attending the Readings and Conversations guest author series each year. I also love live theater, although I haven’t done much of that recently but will again. Also, I hone my trivia skills daily through Alexa’s Jeopardy! app.
What are you working on now?
Cathy: I’m working on a bag “A Place for Everything” by annie.com using Tula Pink’s line of fabric Alice in Wonderland. I am also sewing a paper pieced block of the month series by Whole Quilt Studio.
What’s the project that you always intended to do (quilting or otherwise) but haven’t yet?
Cathy: I have black and white fabrics that I really want to make something with but have not found the right pattern yet.
What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection?
Cathy: I have fabric for a Blooming Nine Patch that I must have bought over 20 years ago that I haven’t touched since then.
Do you have a preferred snack or beverage while you’re sewing? If so, what is it?
Cathy: Good and Plenty.
What do you listen to or watch while you’re sewing? Do you have any recommendations to share?
Cathy: I love to listen to audible books while I sew. In addition to the Walt Longmire series, I also am listing to the Louise Penny series. My overall favorite listens are “A Brutal Telling”, “A Cold Dish”, “The City We Became”, “Almost Sisters”, “The Dry”, “11/22/63”, and “A Gentleman in Moscow.”