Meet Patricia Pepe

Creston, California, USA

Photos courtesy of Patricia Pepe

Hi Patricia. When did you start quilting?
I started quilting in 1987 when I was pregnant with my second child and decided to make a baby quilt. I had sewn all my life; first doll clothes, then my own clothes and various other projects. After I made my first quilt, I was hooked. I’ve never gone back to any other type of sewing.


Who taught you how to quilt?
I am essentially a self-taught quilter. When I decided to make a quilt, I went to the library, checked out some quilting books and designed a baby quilt. It had plenty of errors and I’ve learned a lot since that first quilt.


Tell me about your family. What do they think about your quilting?
My family consists of my husband, Alan and three children, Michelle, Arielle and Barrett. Alan is very supportive and encouraging and is my biggest fan. The kids have grown up with quilts and quilting and take it pretty much for granted, although they know a lot about quilts! I had to put my quilting on hold for many years while I raised the kids, home schooled, etc. but now that they're almost grown I’ve got lots more time to quilt.


Where do you live?
I live in a small rural town in the Central Coast of California.


What other hobbies do you have besides quilting? How do these interests affect your quilting?
I used to have other hobbies such as gardening and reading but I can't seem to find much time for them lately. I hope to make more time for them in the future.


Do you have any pets? Do they try to "quilt" with you?
We have two dogs, Bella and my new little "baby"--Thimble. Thimble sits on my lap whenever I'm sitting down and under the quilt when I'm quilting.


What were your favorite arts and crafts projects as a child?
Everything!!! I spent almost every hour after school "making things" as my mother called it. She was very encouraging with my artwork etc, and even saved many of my projects. I guess I had a little talent even then because she had me decorate our living room and a bathroom when I was only 11 years old! And I still think it ended up very nice!


Did you study art in college? Do you ever wish you would have?
I took some art courses because I’ve always loved to paint and draw. I believe some courses on textiles, etc. would have been interesting.

Do you work outside the home?
I stopped working when I became pregnant to stay home with the kids. I tried teaching (quilting) when they were younger, but it was too difficult balancing both. Now I'm teaching regularly and just started my own business, Quilt Queen Designs.


Where in your home do you quilt?
My sewing space is in my bedroom - or should I say my bedroom is in my sewing space? I'm very fortunate to have a large bedroom and a husband that doesn’t mind sleeping with piles of fabric, projects, and books everywhere!


What kind of sewing machine do you use? How many machines do you own?
I have two sewing machines - a Bernina and a Brother 1500 Nouvelle. I use the Brother almost exclusively because it just sews forward and backward, and it has a thread cutter! It's not computerized - no fancy stuff.



Whose quilts inspire you? Why?
I am in absolute awe of many of the Japanese quilts and quilters. I love fine hand-work and appreciate their unique approach to design and color. Their work is outstanding.

The work of Zena Thorpe, Margaret Docherty, Irma Gail Hatcher and others has been a source of inspiration since I first began quilting.


What is your favorite part of the quilting process?
All of it! Each step is my favorite when I'm in the middle of it - the designing, the piecing or appliqué, then the quilting. It's all good - almost. I don't like basting!


Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
I have many favorite sayings and quotes - in fact I keep a file of them I call my "Words to Live By". One of my favorites is on my website - but you’ll have to look it up to find out what it is! :-)


What is your favorite Bible verse?
I don't have one "favorite" - the Bible is a living source of inspiration for me - God's mercies are new every morning!


How many quilt projects do you have in progress right now?
I have two serious quilts in progress right now - not counting projects I need for class samples, etc.


How many UFO's (unfinished objects) do you have?
I have only a few but consider them to be more of my learning than a real UFO. I might have started a project just to learn a new technique, etc. without any real intention of finishing. I keep them around for ideas, inspiration and maybe someday, someone will want to finish them!


Do you quilt your own projects? By hand or machine?
I quilt all of my own projects. My serious quilts are always hand-quilted. I machine quilt class samples or gifts that need to be finished quickly.


Do you enjoy machine quilting?
I do not. I only machine quilt if I need to finish it quickly.


Ok, let’s talk more about your hand quilting. Do you hand quilt with a hoop or at a frame?
I quilt with a hoop, no larger than 18" diameter or it gets to difficult to reach beyond that. When I decided to learn to quilt, I started with a hoop and forced myself to keep at it until I felt comfortable with it. Now I sometimes wish I had learned on a frame because I would have learned to quilt sideways, backwards and every which way, but I just turn the hoop. The hoop makes it very portable though.


What type of thimble, needles, thread, etc. do you prefer?
I use a metal thimble with a slight rim around the top to catch the needle. I think a person can get used to any type thimble with some practice. For a while I had a need to test every thimble on the market, thinking that would improve my stitches, but realized that practice is the only thing guaranteed to improve them.

I also tested almost every needle out there and have finally settled on the Clover. I love Clover quilting needles (no. 12) and use them almost exclusively. I don't care for their Gold Eye No. 12's because they are slightly thicker and harder to pull through the quilt. Sometimes a No. 10 works well, depending on the fabrics, batting etc. I'm almost ready to buy a case of Clover needles, just to make sure I always have plenty!

As far as thread is concerned, I use a variety of brands. I love to work with Sulky Sliver and find myself putting some of it in every quilt. With hand quilting, it adds just a little sparkle and is very subtle. I find I have to increase the size of my stitches though to make it show up sufficiently. (Funny, I've spent my life trying to make my stitches smaller!) I also like DMC threads for other quilting. I haven't experimented that much with thread.


What about battings…is there one that you prefer for your hand quilted work? Do you prewash your battings before sandwiching them into the quilt?
I use Fairfield Cotton Classic or Hobbs Thermore most often. I recently got some of the new Mountain Mist Completely Cotton and the Heritage collection batting and am very anxious to try them. There is one with silk, one with wool and one with cashmere. I just don't have enough time to try them all! I don't normally pre-wash my battings before basting, but I have on occasion.


Tell me about a project that you are working on right now.
It's a secret! But I can tell you that it is pieced, has lots of different fabrics and lots of pieces.

Do you own any antique quilts? Where did they come from?
I love antique quilts! I have a few from my husband's family, but most I obtain whenever the opportunity presents itself and the price is right. I rarely turn down an old quilt - even if it's a little (or lot) worn. I appreciate all the time and effort someone put into it, so I treasure it for that reason. I even collect pieces of old quilts.


Do you plan out your whole quilt before you begin or do you start with an idea and let it develop on its own?
I don't plan my whole quilt ahead - I start with an idea and let it "grow on the wall" I always seem to have lots of spare parts that way, but those could become another quilt, I guess….Probably for someone else.


Do you work in a series with your quilts? Please explain.
I don't work in a series because my quilts tend to take a long time to finish - at least 2 years. By that time, I am ready to try a new design. I’ve had many ideas for variations while working on a quilt, but I just don't have the time to try them all.


What is your favorite color?
I don't have one favorite but seem to work mostly in dark, rich tones of red, gold, browns and blacks. If I had to pick one favorite I'd go with black.

Do you belong to a guild or quilting group?
I belong to a quilt guild and two different quilt circles. The groups are very different and provide lots of inspiration, support and encouragement. I’ve belonged to my "Ladies of the Evening" quilt circle for more than 12 years and we’ve become like family. They're a great bunch of women and quilters and I am honored to be a part of the group!

Do you collect certain types of fabrics, quilting tools, gadgets, or supplies?
I collect way too much fabric - I know I’ll never be able to use even half of it! I don't tend to go for gadgets unless it is something I can use in the quilt I'm working on.

Please tell me about your favorite quilt shop. What makes it special?
I love the "Quilter's Cupboard" quilt store because of the friends I’ve made there. It's like a social club or extended family….Lots of ladies just stop in to talk and visit.


Do you daydream about quilts while you are doing other things? Are there certain activities that seem to lend themselves to this daydreaming? Please explain.
Most of the time there is a quilt flying around in my brain. I see quilts or designs everywhere. Some toilet paper I’ve seen has great quilting designs on it!


Have you ever entered a quilt show? How was that experience?
I quilt to enter shows! I love competing because it makes me continually strive to do my best work - it keeps me on my toes. If I want to take a shortcut, I think about the judges looking at it, and then I’ll go ahead and make the extra effort. The judges’ comments and critiques are my favorite part of entering.


Do you teach classes? What is your favorite class to teach?
I teach regularly now - for quilt stores, guilds, etc. My favorite class is the New York Beauty design class. It is more a design workshop than a project class and the students have created fabulous quilts!


Please tell me about your quilting business...anything else that you would like to share.
It's my newest adventure in the wonderful world of quilting! I recently created the X-Blocks tool and patterns and started my business, Quilt Queen Designs. The X-Blocks classes I teach have been very popular and it's exciting to see all the different quilts and designs that come out of the workshops.

Do you have any tips or advice for beginners? What do you wish you would have known when you started quilting?
Keep trying. If you get stuck on something, ask someone for help. I always tell my students that there is no problem or mistake that can't be fixed. Use your imagination to find a way out.

Do you have any suggestions for quilters who are trying to fit more quilting time into their day?
First, set your priorities. If your family needs you right now, save the quilting for later - it will wait.
If you love quilting, carve out little bits of time and always have a project ready to work on….It's too much hassle to get out all the equipment for a project when you only have an hour, or 15 minutes to work on it. Keep a project available to jump into when you have a little time.

Ok Quilty Girls, next time you're at a big quilt show be sure and look for Patricia's next breathtaking creation!!  And if you're still wondering if you can hand quilt a quilt....YES You Can!!  Let Patricia be your inspiration!!  



Be sure and check out Patricia's websites for all the latest on her quilts and teaching schedule.

www.PatriciaPepe.com

www.quiltqueendesigns.com

So who do you want for the next Real Women Quilt Featured Quilter?!!  I'm always open to your suggestions.  and let me know.


We are working on loading all the past Featured Quilters into our Featured Quilter Archive....sort of like our own little Hall of Fame!! 

Featured Quilter Achives!!