Meet One of Our Members!
“Scrappy traditional” is the way Bev Parker describes her quilting designs. She brings an exuberance to her work that is very hard to resist, especially in the quilt she made for a friend from the “Ties” of her friend’s husband – a kind gesture, indeed, from someone who has helped many through difficult times. Raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bev attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, earning an MBA in the field of social work, later completing a Ph.D. in public health. A breast cancer survivor, she devoted twenty-five years as a volunteer and six as an employee to Y-ME, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that provided support to breast cancer patients and their loved ones until it closed in 2012.
When asked why she quilts, Bev replies, “Because it’s a wonderful thing to do!” Her home is happily full of her quilts, waiting for a chance to go on display and show a bit of attitude perfect for the entry hall, a formal seating area, or the relaxed spaces where family gets together. Her husband, now deceased, was always a special fan of anything she made.
She learned to do french sewing and tailoring early, making garments for herself. When she was living in Boulder, Colorado, the local YWCA offered quilting classes. Meanwhile, her friend Susan in Wisconsin urged her along, too. When she settled in Naperville, her neighbor and now long-time good friend, Nancy Sturgeon, was also a quilter. When Bev took a class with CJ Spensley at a local quilt shop, she was firmly hooked. Then she and Nancy learned of Riverwalk Quilt Guild and joined. Bev currently serves as treasurer.
Doing handwork and making purses and handbags of all kinds are pleasures Bev especially enjoys. She’s not so fond, however, of putting on bindings using only machine stitching. She plans to learn more about free motion quilting so she can use that technique more successfully. When she’s stymied, she heads for a friend’s home, confident she’ll find help when she arrives. She enjoys visiting the Missouri Star website (www.missouriquiltco.com), and admires the work of Sara Lawson (sewsweetness.com/author/sara-lawson) for handbags, plus David Taylor (www.davidtaylorquilts.com) and Bonnie Hunter (www.quiltville.com).
Thanks, Bev!
March 16, 2016
When asked why she quilts, Bev replies, “Because it’s a wonderful thing to do!” Her home is happily full of her quilts, waiting for a chance to go on display and show a bit of attitude perfect for the entry hall, a formal seating area, or the relaxed spaces where family gets together. Her husband, now deceased, was always a special fan of anything she made.
She learned to do french sewing and tailoring early, making garments for herself. When she was living in Boulder, Colorado, the local YWCA offered quilting classes. Meanwhile, her friend Susan in Wisconsin urged her along, too. When she settled in Naperville, her neighbor and now long-time good friend, Nancy Sturgeon, was also a quilter. When Bev took a class with CJ Spensley at a local quilt shop, she was firmly hooked. Then she and Nancy learned of Riverwalk Quilt Guild and joined. Bev currently serves as treasurer.
Doing handwork and making purses and handbags of all kinds are pleasures Bev especially enjoys. She’s not so fond, however, of putting on bindings using only machine stitching. She plans to learn more about free motion quilting so she can use that technique more successfully. When she’s stymied, she heads for a friend’s home, confident she’ll find help when she arrives. She enjoys visiting the Missouri Star website (www.missouriquiltco.com), and admires the work of Sara Lawson (sewsweetness.com/author/sara-lawson) for handbags, plus David Taylor (www.davidtaylorquilts.com) and Bonnie Hunter (www.quiltville.com).
Thanks, Bev!
March 16, 2016
Tie Quilt
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Colorful Zigzag
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Neutrals
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