December, 2006
Dee Masing

1. How did you get started in quilting?

I retired in 1993 and started quilting in 1994.  When I retired I knew I wanted to quilt.  I was volunteering at the Port Clinton Library at the time so I took out all the quilting videos.  Then I went to Carol Swope to take lessons.  Carol had a quilt shop in Port Clinton at the time.

2. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

When taking lessons I did the usual sampler of different squares such as a nine patch and an appliqué of 4 hearts.  At the time I told Carol Swope, “This is NOT my bag.  I do not like appliqué”.  Carol just smiled and shook her head.  Well little did Dee know but Carol knew that appliqué was going to become one of Dee’s favorite things to do.  (Dee is outstanding at it.  Just go to Nautical Needle in Marblehead and see her quilt hung on the wall just inside the front door!  It will take your breath away!).

3. Have you ever put one of your quilted pieces in a quilt show?

YES – and I will NEVER do it again.  It is my feeling that we should not be judged with or the same as other quilters who are teachers or professionals.  And I am not a bragger.

4. Finish these sentences:
    
• I still can’t get the hang of . . .

Putting colors together.  I took a class from Sue Haering and that has helped tremendously but it is something that does not come naturally.

• The biggest enemy of creativity is . .

Fear of rejection – indecisiveness.  I am not very creative, I like to have a pattern and I sometimes change it a bit but not much.

5. What was your worst quilting disaster?

(Dee had a hard time finding an answer for this so I went to her current employer, our very own Jan Foard.  Dee is usually NOT known for having nothing to say! Anyway, thank you Jan for answering for Dee.)

Per Jan Foard – Dee is perfect and has no disasters.  (To that I say – watch for the list of classes offered at Nautical Needle and be sure to sign up for one that Dee is teaching.)

6. Which quilter’s work do you most admire and why?

Jan Foard,  because she is a master at the long arm quilting machine.  Jan is being patient enough to teach me to long arm quilt.

7. What creative endeavor do you plan to learn next?

Long arm quilting.  I have been dabbling around with it for a year and now I am seriously getting into it.

8. What advice would you give to someone starting out in quilting?

Have patience.  You can’t look at something and have it done in a week or two.  It is most often a slow process.

Share with others – your knowledge, patience, and encouragement, and patterns.