Only two days until Mother’s Day, and we have more special women to honor today. If you are a QA member, it’s not too late to send your images and text. Nonmembers can join or make a $30+ donation to participate. More info here.
Susan Brubaker Nash, QA Member
Susan Brubaker Knapp with her mother Ellie.
My mother, Ellie Brubaker, was trained as a home economics teacher and was a great traditional quilter and garment sewer. This photo shows us in 1995, working on her 1958 Singer, which she gave me when I got interested in sewing. Mom taught me how to make a perfect double binding, and enthusiastically supported my quilting career. Both of my grandmothers and at least one of my great-grandmothers were also quilters, and I have several of their quilts!
Marin Hanson, QA Board Alumnus
Marin Hanson with her mother Kari and her brother Wade.
My mom wasn’t much of a seamstress; in fact, she never wanted me to be forced to take Home Economics classes because she resented the fact that she had to when she was young. She did, however, have the most amazing scarf collection and I remember digging through it regularly as a little girl, admiring the various patterns and textures. And she sure knew how to dress my brother and me in some natty 70s duds!
Janneken Smucker, Past QA Board President
Janneken Smucker and her mother Barbara.
My mom taught me about the bias. The bias is the diagonal grain of the cloth. I remember cutting a doll’s dress out of this green fabric and I cut it wrong, on the bias, instead of on the grain. My mom showed me how to look carefully at the fabric and see the weave, and to cut across it. Ironically, I chose a senior prom dress in an emerald green that had to be cut on the bias. My mother, who I should have realized by that point, made my prom dress, probably against her better judgement, now that I realize what it takes to raise a daughter. I remain against the bias, in most things.