Beth Robinson My interest in quilts really began in my childhood. Quilts intrigued me. My family had some patchwork quilts where the batting was an old wool blanket and was tied. I did not know who made them and still do not. Then in the early 1970s quilts started being featured in various women’s magazines, and looking at them piqued my own interest in trying to make one. I made two baby quilts for coworkers in the mid1980’s, as making baby quilts for friends had become a common practice at the time. I knew I wanted to make quilts simple, four by four squares cut with a cardboard template and scissors, sewn together in a Trip Around the World color pattern. I tied them and used the really fat batting. This prompted me to want to progress, so I took a beginning quilting class at the Country Peddler in 1990. At first I made small things, like table runners and such. I made my first large quilt in 2006. My oldest daughter, while in college, asked me, “Mom will you make me a quilt?” I asked a coworker, now friend Meg Divine, to help me. I was insecure about “going big” at first. I have now made 32 quilts since 2006. I like traditional patterns, but I love batik fabric, so I mix it up. My favorite part of making a quilt is the fabric selection, the sewing, the creativity, and watching the quilt come to life. I also like making something functional and giving it to someone I love or who is “quilt worthy”! Let’s face it, quilting is time-consuming and expensive, and not everyone is ready to think about the amount of work that goes into a quilt. While I have not developed a preferred technique or style, I do have a list of “quilt worthy” people. Right now, there are only two names left. I also have a wish list of patterns that I want to make, for example, snails trail. I have tried different things like paper piecing and machine appliqué to expand my skills. My basket quilt is the favorite of the quilts that I have made so far. I read in a quilt book that every quilt collection should include a basket quilt, so I had to make one. I saw a picture of an antique one that I liked very much, but I could not find it in a pattern. Another quilt friend, Linda Wines, suggested drawing it on graph paper, so that’s what I did. I am very proud of this quilt! After completing this quilt I realized– I am a quilter. Being a quilter has impacted my life in many ways. I hope to make quilts for charity someday. I have met and made friends in quilting with some of the most awesome, outstanding, creative and generous people. I also like thinking that my quilts will live on after me.