By Gail Scogin
Described as a dedicated volunteer and unsung hero, Carolyn Powers has held a number of Guild positions during her nearly 20-year membership―including (but not limited to) Treasurer, Welcome Committee Chair, Quilt Show Chair, and President. Carolyn enjoys working with great people and giving back to the Guild using her many years of business experience to help things run efficiently.
Originally from Mount Airy, NC, Carolyn earned a Math undergraduate degree from Emory University, later getting an MBA and a CPA. During her career, she melded her computer background with a love of fashion and fabric, becoming the Director of Applications for a large apparel firm. She was responsible for application systems used in clothing design, product distribution, and everyday business operations. Her job required frequent trips to NYC where she visited sales offices and met clothing designers (including famous ones).
As the Guild’s current Membership Chair, Carolyn notes there have been changes over time―from the meeting venue to the use of new technologies such as Zoom. She’s especially proud of how well the Guild weathered the pandemic. Since then, membership has trended further upward, with a peak of about 400 members in 2024.
At the age of 18, Carolyn learned to sew from her Aunt Mary―first sewing clothes then home décor items. In 2002, her nephew asked if she would sew cushions for his upcoming outdoor wedding, but in the midst of the project, Carolyn’s old Singer sewing machine died. Helena Krapp, who sold machines at JoAnn’s, convinced her to buy a fancy new computerized machine. As it turns out, Helena, a guild member then and now, also taught quilting classes, soon becoming a friend and mentor. Helena taught classes on basic techniques as well as on specific patterns, and inspired Carolyn to “figure things out” on her own.
Carolyn still likes to figure things out – and is most intrigued by quilt designs that require her to mull over “how can I make that?” Open to making all different types of quilts, she describes her taste in patterns and fabrics as “eclectic”. Still, she prefers bright, saturated colors as well as black and white fabrics, as seen in this prize-winning quilt on the left. She quilts mostly by machine, currently using her Bernina 770, a treasured final gift from her sister, Patty.
Carolyn likes to make small- to medium-sized quilts for wall hangings. For example, she made quilts to hang on her mother’s door in the assisted living facility―providing seasonal conversation pieces, as seen in the photo on the left.
In one of her favorite gifted quilts, she designed blocks based on suggested themes from her brother-in-law―using various techniques such as raw-edged applique and photo transfer to build the blocks. The end result was a heart-warming and meaningful quilt that fit perfectly above his fireplace. (Quilt is shown on the right.)
“Whatever I start, I have to finish”, Carolyn says, so she doesn’t start a project unless she knows she has time to finish it. She’s currently working on this year’s quilt challenge. After that, she may work on figuring out how to make a stained glass quilt.
Carolyn loves to attend quilt retreats, and keeps up-to-date with trends by taking advantage of classes, quilt magazines, Facebook, quilt shows, and she especially loves the Guild’s monthly Show and Tell. She “constantly uses the Internet” for inspiration. (Pinterest, anyone?) Carolyn’s advice for someone new to quilting―experiment with different styles, take classes, meet fellow quilters, and enjoy the journey.
When asked what we might be surprised to learn about her, she revealed that she likes to dance. Her husband’s response to this question? “She’s sexy.” Clearly, he’s a man who remains wise beyond his years!
When asked what her most memorable quilt was, Carolyn related this story…
As her eyesight faded, unable to finish her latest quilt, Carolyn’s aunt asked if she would complete it for her. The quilt top featured pieced blocks of colorful irises and a series of plain borders. Remembering the butterflies on the dress Aunt Mary had made her in 7th grade, Carolyn added a pieced border with butterfly motifs. She also appliqued a ring of flowering vines onto one of the borders, and did all the quilting using her domestic machine. She nervously presented the completed quilt (pictured below) to her aunt, knowing how exacting Aunt Mary’s standards were. Pleased with the results, and unbeknownst to Carolyn, her aunt entered the quilt into the county fair where it won a blue ribbon, and subsequently won honorable mention at the North Caroline state fair. These would be the last ribbons Aunt Mary would win. At her aunt’s funeral on a cold February day, before any irises were in bloom, the quilt with colorful iris blocks and butterflies, draping the casket, served as a proper tribute to a beloved aunt who had taught a young girl to sew.
