Like most quilters, Michele is a generous spirit, and her generosity has found expression with Quilts for Cops, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing quilts to law enforcement officers and first responders injured in the line of duty. With two police officers in the family (her son and grandson) it’s a natural fit. It began when her son asked her to make a quilt for a friend who had been injured in the line of duty. In the process, Michele found Quilts for Cops and donated some quilts to them, too. Fast forward a few years, and Michele has taken responsibility for providing quilts for police officers in the northern half of the Atlanta metro area; another quilter is handling the southern part. Michele has had wonderful experiences delivering quilts in person, and as she says, “it’s something I can do.” In 2021, Michele delivered 15 quilts to the program, and is on track for a similar number for 2022. If you are interested in helping, get in touch with Michele. Completed quilts and tops are both welcome.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Michele grew up in New Orleans. She came to quilting through her grandmother, a skilled seamstress, who made a living creating Mardi Gras ball gowns to support her children after her husband’s early death. Though her grandmother didn’t quilt, she passed along some quilt tops made by other family members. Michele learned to hand quilt so she could finish them! Michele likes traditional pieced quilts and scrap quilts, and she either machine quilts on her domestic Bernina or sometimes hand quilts them. For her, a red and white quilt would have 100 different reds – she says just one fabric “would bore me!” You won’t be surprised that Michele is a Bonnie Hunter fan!
Michele discovered East Cobb Quilters’ Guild 30 years ago when she saw a notice about the Evening Group posted at Tiny Stitches, and since then she has been President, Vice President, and Secretary, in addition to arranging for the Civic Center for our quilt shows. These days, it’s the Community Service work of the Guild that is Michele’s favorite part of guild membership. In addition to Quilts for Cops, she also contributes pillowcases and quilts to ECQG. Michele says that she can enjoy the process of making the quilt and then enjoy it again when she gives it away, so it’s rewarding on multiple levels.
Michele encourages everyone – new members and veterans – to come to the meetings and get to know new people. As she points out, “we all need new friends.” And when asked for advice from new quilters, Michele doesn’t hesitate – “Enjoy yourself! Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Good advice for sure.
Michele was kind enough to allow us to record her interview and you can watch it here.
This is one installment of Who We Are, a monthly series in the Basket Bulletin newsletter spotlighting ECQG members and giving them a chance to tell their quilting stories.