Melanie Wiser Wilson

La Verkin, Utah

About Melanie Wiser Wilson...

I've been quilting for… About five years.

I began quilting because…  I have always tied quilts but there was no challenge in that, so then I began to watch "Simply Quilts" and was totally hooked! It was kind of a natural progression as I have sewn since the age of 11.

I learned to quilt… I took one class that came with the purchase of my long awaited Bernina 440 QE but mostly I am self taught.

My quilting style is…  I'm not sure what to call it. I make do with what I have without going to a lot of expense out of neccessity. Some might call it cheap. I call it frugal-or perhaps GREEN?

A person who inspired me… My mother taught me to tie quilts but she wasn't a quilter, my mother-in-law quilts whole cloth baby quilts on tricot which my children and grandchildren have all been recipiants of, but I'm not into hand quilting yet unless it's primative stitching. I have an old quilt that my grandmother made that was hand embroidered. It is falling apart so I would like to duplicate it sometime. Honestly, I love Rose Hughes technique with fast piece appliqué from her book Dream Landscapes.

My imagination is sparked by… From scenery, pictures, vintage quilts, paintings, commercials on television, coloring books, photos etc.

My favorite techniques… I love redwork, fast piece appliqué, rag quilts so I can practice machine quilting on small squares rather than a huge quilt on a home sewing machine.

Colors or fabrics I'm attracted to...  I love jewel tones and vibrant colors and  I'm not afraid to use fabrics other than cottons.

My fabric stash... I have an unusual stash that consists of a pick-up truck load (literally) of designer samples given to me by my brother as well as the usual cotton fabrics. I like medium to dark colors but my stash lacks the lighter tones. My stash is much smaller than I would like! (Oh darn, I may have to go shopping!)

My quilting community… For a short time a couple of years ago, I was in a quilt guild but it met on an inconvienent night for me so I had to give it up.

My additional hobbies/interests… I belong to a book club called "The Hurricane Valley Ladies Reading Club and Artichoke Dip Society". Yes, there is a story behind the name. (LOL) I enjoy walking every morning with my siser-in-law and hiking with my husband, children and grandchildren. I also love sewing for my children and grandchildren's birthdays when time permits.

I entered Quilt Design Star™ 2011 because... The quilt I entered had just done really well in another competition so I wanted to see if it would be appreciated by the public. I was also entrigued by the series of challenges.

Links... Sadly, no.

What you should know about me… I do alterations for a bridal shop. I am also a supervisor at a local grocery store in our small community where my husband is the mayor. We have six grown children and 12 grandchildren with at least one more on the way as far as we know. (We expect at least 12 more). 

Starry Starry Night (below) is Melanie's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 entry quilt.

Dance of the Flying Arrows (below) is Melanie's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 1 quilt.

Split Decision (below) is Melanie's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 2 quilt.