Meet Barbara Harrison

Doylestown, Pennsylvania , USA

Barbara's photo by Randy Bye.

All quilt photos courtesy of Barbara Harrison.

Hi Barbara.  Please tell us a little about your start into quilting.

In 1990 our family was blessed with child number six. I knew I would be a stay-at-home mom, and needed a “hurry up and wait” hobby. Quilting was it.  I could take classes, be alone, with friends, shop, travel, and learn women’s history with textiles.  In the late 60’s and early 70’s, I sewed clothes for my children, so I was not a stranger to the needle arts.

 


Who taught you how to quilt?

Over the years, I have taken numerous workshops and classes. Some special teachers have been: Denise Roberts, Pat Godshall, Judy Roche, Corinne Kramer, Karen Griska, and most recent, Kaffe Fassett. Each teacher helped me reach a different level. Those that included history were the “why and the way” to understand different cultures. This added interest in international areas, shopping for fabric in different countries and on the web, and more history of women in textiles.

 


Tell me about your family. What do they think about your quilting?

My family is very supportive with my quilting life style. We are all strong in our own hobbies and interests, and enjoy sharing our interests as a family unit.

Do you currently work outside the home? If so, what do you do?

I am a stay at home mom. I do some private quilting classes, workshops, and public interest programs for various organizations. My business card says I am an “Eclectic Consultant”, which means if you want a program, I will design it to your needs and group.

Where in your home do you quilt?

My quilt studio is called the “Cave of Wonders”. It is in the lower level, with large windows and a large collection of fabric, books, and rulers.  I work on a dozen things at a time…Everything from my quilts to doll quilts to little embroidery bags and totes.  The name came from wondering when I could get time to go there…wondering what am I doing…and at last—“gee who did this wonderful something?!”

What other hobbies do you have besides quilting? How do these interests affect your quilting?

I am very interested in history…. art history, quilt history, and the history of women. I knit, enjoy paper crafts, photography, and travel. They spur the creative juices.

Please share more about your love of quilt history.

Judy Roche and Corinne Kramer were my early quilt history teachers.  Pat Godshall was actually my first as she taught Amish quilting and then taught the history of the traditions of the colors.  Judy and Corinne have a large collection of antique quilts that inspired me to know more about the people and their heritage.   A book that answers many of those questions is The American Quilt by Roderick Kiracofe and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. Another great book is Old Swedish Quilts by Asa Wettre. It shows quilts and tells the personal stories of the Swedish quilters.  Also, The Embroidery od Boutis by Francine Nicolle is a must have for learning about early French style whole cloth quilts. 

There are so many web sites, for quilting history.  Two of my favorites are www.nebraskahistory.org and www.reproductionfabrics.com.

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

That is like choosing a favorite child. I can not choose…I love it all!

How many quilt projects do you have in progress right now?

At least 6……I laugh in the face of danger!

 


What about UFO’s (unfinished objects!)? Have you ever abandoned one?

These I consider “on hold”. I find if I stop a project it is because I need to learn more, so I go on to the next project and usually find the answers I need. Perhaps making lovely four-patches and using them as a center for a log cabin, and incorporating different blocks, brings the lost project back home.

Has quilting ever helped you through a time of struggle or heartache?

You can’t quilt when you cry, and when the struggle or pain of loss is over, you have been positive and productive with your time.    

Do you have a favorite quote or motto?

Yes, “Deeds Not Words” was my first, as I am known to talk too much! Now it is “Increments of Joy.”

Do you quilt your own projects? If so, by hand or machine?

All three. I send some quilts to a wonderful long-arm quilter, Linda Carey.  The rest I hand quilt, if they aren’t too large.  Others I machine quilt using my embroidery cards.

Do you belong to a quilt guild, or quilting group?

Yes. I belong to County Line Quilt Guild and three smaller groups: Wolfgang Quilters, Quilted Hearts, and Charm Girls.



What is your favorite color?

Shades of red.

Do you work in a series with your quilts?

I have a sense of time and style that guides me. My work is quite varied. I try not to make a quilt larger than 50 X 50. I enjoy making doll quilts. It is a wonderful way to audition a pattern, and you can play around with them, and finish them in less time than a large quilt.

Do you collect certain types of fabrics, quilting tools, gadgets, or supplies?

Yes, I collect reproduction and French fabrics. I am especially on the lookout for border prints.

Do you daydream about quilts when you are doing other things?

But of course, my dear!

Do you make quilts to satisfy a creative need, or are your quilts always made for a specific purpose or person?

I do make quilts for others, but most recently, most are for my creative needs and for charities. I have done several for charity auctions, and have been part of working on the raffle quilt for the Mercer Museum for the past three years. I also worked on a reproduction of the “Dear Jane” quilt with my group, and it hangs in the Doylestown Civil War Museum.

 


Have you developed any special quilting techniques?

My friends refer to me as the “Queen of Triangles! I have worked with many different methods of constructing them.  Show me a half square triangle quilt and I'll follow you anywhere!

Do you ever teach classes, and if so what is your favorite subject to teach?

Yes…History of Quilting. I have taught for years in an after school program, at the museum, and for various groups.

Do you have any tips or advice for beginners?

Try everything, and keep perfecting your stitching. Learn basic techniques, and branch out from there. Enjoy the process. Learn about the tools, and keep a journal of your quilting.

 I hope you've enjoyed meeting Barbara...wouldn't you just LOVE to visit the Cave of Wonders?!!  I would!  Thanks Barbara for sharing your quilts and your story with us.

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!!