October Monthly Member Spotlight: Ashley

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No matter how long you’ve been in the quilting community, you know that no two quilters creative spaces are the same.  We all have our own organized chaos, ideas, and systems that we know work best for us. But get us in another quilters sewing space and we WILL go wild with curiosity.

We have all been there, which is why we’re launching this new online series called Monthly Member Spotlight. It is our pleasure to introduce Ashley!


Name: Ashley Payne

When did you join VTMQG? I believe I joined in January of this year.

What brought you to VTMQG? Whenever I find out that someone else is a quilter, I always get so excited.  I have wanted to join a guild for a while to meet more people who are as passionate as I am.  I figured that the modern quilt guild would be a good fit for me.  Unfortunately, up until this year, I worked Sundays as a physical therapist in the hospital and couldn’t make meetings.  My schedule changed last year and I was thrilled to be able to join!

When did you start quilting? My mom helped me make my first quilt when I was a freshman in college.  It was a hideous fleece quilt for my boyfriend at the time which we rushed to complete in two days over Thanksgiving weekend.

Why do you quilt? I love hobbies that are productive.  Quilts are so useful and also an amazing way to show someone that you care for them/about them. 

What was your most recent fabric purchase? A Cotton and Steel fat quarter bundle called “Lagoon” by Rashida Coleman-Hale.  It was a very impulsive purchase. I am supposed to be on a fabric diet, but the collection includes lemurs…I couldn’t resist. 

What is on your “to make list”?  A quilt with just solids (I have actually never done this before). 

What is something you struggle with? Joining the ends of the binding.  Ugh!

What do you do when you aren’t quilting? I am pretty involved with dragonboat paddling both for fitness and competition.  I love being part of a team and our club does a lot of community service to support cancer survivors.  I also enjoy hiking and hanging out with my husband, Mike, and dog, Linus. 

What kind of machine do you sew on? My husband got me my first new machine this past Christmas.  It’s a Bernina 330 which is basic, but so much better than anything I have ever sewn on. 

Describe your sewing space in three words? So many UFO’s (not pictured, but the closet is completely filled with them). 

Where do you sew the most? My husband recently completed the flooring in my sewing room and I now have full access to it.  Before that it was the kitchen table and sometimes the coffee table when I was feeling lazy.  Now that the room is set-up, I can sew at a moment’s notice.  My goal is to try at least 10 minutes a day and I feel very fortunate to have dedicated space for this.

What is your most useful (or least useful) notion? I love my Gipsy Cutting Gizmo which is a tool to cut your threads after you chain piece.  Chain piecing in general changed my life.  It’s embarrassing to admit how long it was before I realized this was a method.

Anything else you’d like to say? I am so happy to be a part of this group of inspiring people.  I am looking forward to becoming more involved, particularly now that my weekend work commitments are less frequent. 

Show us some photos of your sewing space!

Check out some of Ashley’s latest and greatest:

 

Thanks Ashley for sharing with us. Not only do you have a beautiful place to create your next quilt, but you have the best sewing room buddy, too!

And that’s a wrap for October’s Monthly Member Spotlight. See you next month with a whole new member and a whole new sewing space!