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Featured Artist ~ Judy
Irish |
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Writing a biography of your
own life somehow seems a very difficult thing to do.
For some reason I guess people are curious about the
featured artist for the Quilt Show. So here is my
life story, in more than 25 words. |
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I grew up in Michigan and
graduated from Michigan State University in 1964 - wow,
that's a long time ago, even if it does seem like just
yesterday. As a child, I always did lots of arts
and crafts, collecting and making things, and quilting
is just one more extension of that up-bringing. |
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My mom and dad were both very
encouraging tome and I guess that is why I am willing to
try just about anything, and not be afraid if it doesn't
work out. |
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After graduating
MSU as an English/Art teacher, I married my husband and I
began a week-long drive to California, settling in Oakland
and remaining there for nearly 25 years. While
teaching in Hayward, CA, I quilted off and on with little
projects, teacher retirement quilts and wall hangings.
Of course, rotary cutters and mats were not yet invented and
magazines and patterns were pretty rare. I enjoyed
going to quilt shows in the Bay Area and never dreamed of
the world that would open up some years later and 3000 miles
away.
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In 1986 we moved to Connecticut
where I actually began my long-arm business and in
2001 we retired to Arlington, Washington. We love
living n the Pacific Northwest . . . which seems like the
quilting capitol of the Universe! |
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It has been eleven years since my
mom got me the Gammill which I use for my business - Wild
Irish Rows. I began knowing nothing about long-arm
machines or running my own quilting business. I had to
figure things out by myself, with on the job training.
Now I love to take classes and try new techniques. I
work only with a free=hand, quilt as I go technique.
About a year after getting my machine, I attended MQS, a
machine quilters' conference and have been teaching at
Innovations for the past four years. Since starting my
business, I have taught in Connecticut, New York, Washington
and even Turkey. My dream of quilting for an author
has come true as I have been quilting for Kaffe Fassett and
Liza Prior Lucy, as well as Westminster and Rowan, which
feature their quilts and fabric. Joan Shay, Sara
Nephew, Linda Poole, Karen Combs, Terry Martin, Mary Hickey,
Marilyn Doheney and Freddy Moran are some other authors for
whom I have done quilting. I never imagined that I
would have a whole new career in my old age! I have
even done two quilting cruises and taught in Nashville and
Houston. What glorious opportunities quilting has
given me. |
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I love wildly colorful quilts and
using humor whenever possible, which is most of the time!
Getting students to see that quilting should be fun and
creative, freeing them from obsessive perfection and just
encouraging them to 'play' is my goal. I try to give
most quilters a view of this art form that many have been
afraid to see. That is why I try to make my classes
supportive, stress-free and creative environment. |
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In the future, I
would like to do more quilting for authors, shops and
teachers, write a second Dazzling Doodles Design book and
TEACH. Of course, the quilts incubating in my head
never seem to have time to hatch. I owe my clients,
students and fellow quilters so much for their encouragement
and support. |
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