September 2006

Jan Foard

Jan is owner of
"The Nautical Needle"
199 South Bridge Road (269 North)
Marblehead, OH 43440
Phone: 419-732-2990 Fax: 419-732-1965

1. How did you get started in quilting?

            I have sewn all my life.  But, when I lived in Maine I began piecing together pillows to sell in shops.  Then in 1976 I made my first quilt as a wedding gift.

2. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

            I am most proud of my ability to color coordinate.  I learned early on how to put colors together and what they do for people.

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

Yes.  My first show that I entered was four years ago at Kaleidoscope.  My first quilt was for myself and is now in the guestroom.

4. Finish these sentences:
• I still can’t get the hang of . . . Pinning a quilt right handed as I am left handed.
• The biggest enemy of creativity is . . Lack of self confidence.
   

5. What was your worst quilting disaster?

            I have had more than my fair share of disasters.  I put the wrong pattern on a wall hanging with my long arm quilter and had to take it completely apart and re-quilt it.  It took two days to get it un-quilted.

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

             Sue Haering – because she is able to show her creativity in her work.  And she is a local quilter and a member of our guild.

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

            Punch needle.  It is something I think would be fun to do. 

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

Take it slow.  Find your own niche/what you love to do.  Stick with it for awhile/ learn the lingo.  Learn to do it “right” from the start.  Learn the creative part of sewing.