Mary Lancaster, 1960
Why I Quilt
I enjoy the process and I like the challenge. I don’t always have a person in mind. For the mission quilts I make, I try to pray while I am making the quilt as I never know who will get it. When I hear of a need and can give a quilt, I do. We have a new minister coming from Kenya. He does not have any furniture so I will give him a quilt.
Each need is different. Last September my grandson-in-law called and told me he had a friend with a five year-old daughter and they were starting over. I sent a quilt and pillowcase to the little girl. I did not know this family but they had a need and I could help. I have sent small quilts to the mission field when I could, and I also have sent them to the local nursing home.
How I Quilt
I have a sewing room with a design wall that I use to quilt in. I send my quilts to a person with a long arm quilter machine for them to do the actual quilting. Sometimes, I have a quilt custom-quilted and other times I have them quilted by my long arm quilter and she does edge to edge quilting. I have quilted some by hand and I do enjoy that process, but I am slow.
Sometimes, I just have to try a pattern because it looks like a great idea. Sometimes, I use fabric from different sources – of course the shops, but also at our age many people are cleaning out their sewing rooms and want to get rid of everything. I just received a beautiful fabric from a friend who was helping with an estate sale. She just knew I would like the fabric. I am looking forward to using it – “someday.”
Quilts take hours. I have had my grandchildren ask how much time I spend on a project. I never answer. If I counted the time and money, the project would change. I just like to try. Some turn out better than others, but that is the way we learn.
I have a Bernina 830 sewing machine from about 1977. I also have a Bernina B770 Quilters Edition purchased during the 125 Anniversary Celebration. I think I like the old machine the best. The new machine is computer-based and you have to wait for everything to engage. With the old machine you just sew.
SAMPLES OF QUILTS I HAVE MADE
Cascades
I like to visit quilt shops when we travel. We were on the Oregon coast traveling south when I purchased this pattern. All the fabric in this shop was bright and light. This was a fun, happy shop.
Shenandoah
This pattern was picked by my granddaughter who was moving into her first home. I wanted it to be exactly what she
wanted. We had a wonderful day working on this project. I had never done such a modern quilt.
wanted. We had a wonderful day working on this project. I had never done such a modern quilt. 
Picture on the left shows the quilting stitching from the back side.
Tennessee Waltz
This is an old pattern which is very traditional. I usually pick traditional patterns if it’s just a project for myself.
Quilter’s Puzzle 
This is a very special project. I talked my daughter into tie-dying a backing for a quilt project. Well, it stayed on my shelf for a while after she finished the project. She had a massive heart attack and passed away in 2018. I still had this project that was not finished, so after two additional years I finally decided what I wanted to do and finished the project. I was so pleased with the finished quilt. My grandson (my daughter’s son) now has the quilt and was very happy I didn’t keep the quilt for years.
Neon Quilt
These quilts suggest a career in very skillful and beautiful fabric art form. I am especially impressed with the patience and major time consumption and focus on your quilts. I am especially taken with the black and white quilt you made with your granddaughter’s design. At the same time I have always loved batik and feel like it is a great memory of your daughter’ creativity. It would be great to see more of your work and would love to know if you have kept count of your work. Thanks for sharing!
Mert, they are all stunning! Thank you for explaining your process because I have never been attracted to the idea of cutting fabric into little pieces and then sewing it back together again. I do appreciate the artistry of quilting and I treasure some quilts that my mother and grandmother made. I have to say that my favorite in your story is Tennessee Waltz. Your color choices are elegant, and the swirling pattern of the stitches suggests the movement of a room full of dancers.
Mert, your work is inspiring! As a fellow quilter, I really appreciate their beauty and the skill needed to make them. For me, my favorite kind of quilt is a scrap quilt. I really enjoy making something out of fabric from garments worn by family members.
Mary Ruth,
I love quilts and admire the time and patience of those who quilt. Maybe all our “Jacks” playing in our grade school days at Fairmount help build the patience and perseverance needed to be a quilter.