Georgia Bonesteel

Joyce Robb
"I've been quilting since 1980. My first quilt was a sampler of different patterns. The fabric was a combination of green, yellow, brown and orange and muslin was my background. Of course the fabric was the same little floral print but just in different colors. We lived in Japan for 3 years and I fell in love with oriental fabrics. We moved almost every 3 years with my husbands work and I found quilting a wonderful way to meet people and make friends. My quilt interests have moved from that first sampler quilt using templates to hand appliqué, paper piecing, contempory quilts, and art quilts. I rarely use templates today preferring rotary cutting. I also love to play around with embellishments. The primitive class I'm teaching with Carol Kellogg is another stretch for me using a color pallets I've rarely used. I usually go for the bold and bright color scheme. I've taught paper piecing, hand appliqué, basic piecing techniques and color application. I think the thing I like most about quilting besides the feel of the fabrics is the interaction of color and texture in fabric designs. Another great aspect of quilting is all the wonderful friendly people one meets."

Cindee Wood
Cindee has been quilting for the last 8 years. She walked into the Asheville quilt show, stated she wanted quilts like these and they sent her off to the community college to learn quilting. She has been serving as the Workshop chair for the last 5 years for the Asheville Quilt Guild. She loves taking classes and will always be a student at heart.

Ruth Ann Fortunato
Ruth Ann is a New Englander (Massachusetts) who retired 20 years ago to this area. She graduated from the NE Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1950 (Boston). First memories of sewing were at her mothers knee who made lots of back to school clothes for her and her sister. Home Ec classes in 7th grade introduced her to "hands- on"sewing. She has attended many classes, seminars and symposiums (10), as well as many Bernina University Programs. Past President of the NC Quilt Symposium Board for 2 years (01-02) Employed at Bonesteel's Hardware and Quilt Corner for many years, advancing my knowledge and skills in machine and embroidery work. Taught classes at Bonesteel's as well at BRCC. Active member of the WNC Quilt Guild, Area 3 and the Asheville Quilt Guild. Love people and teaching. Have received many awards for myr quilting and have sold an original piece at Biltmore House. "I have been teaching at My Quilt Shoppe for several years. I am their resident Serger Queen!"

Saradean Hallman

Saradean began making quilts in 1998. After studying hand piecing and quilting, she became determined to learn how to make her sewing machine do the work. The bright colors from her work as a costume designer for the family business have flowed over into her quilts. Saradean’s quilts have appeared in AQS and IQA shows where they have won numerous awards. She also has had pieces traveling with the Hoffman Challenge. She has won the Excellence in Machine Quilting at the South Carolina Quilt Show in Aiken, S.C. and 2nd place in the American Professional Quilting Systems’ Challenge and Most Humorous in the Road to California show. She especially enjoys sharing her love of machine quilting through teaching.

Marie Koerper
I learned to quilt at an adult education class in Minnesota 25 years ago. I have worked at quilt shops in Minnesota, Michigan, and 6 years in Tampa, Fl before moving to Tryon, NC. I love teaching and working with the customers. It is fun working with all the fabric.

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Janice Merriman
My love of fabrics, colors and textures seems to keep me knee deep in ongoing sewing and knitting projects. I have always had an interest in quilts but only as an observer until I saw what beautiful quilts my Mom was making. That’s when I got the bug! I like projects I can progress on quickly so strip quilts, handbags, and hats are some of my favorites. At MQS I am one of the “Saturday Girls”. I still work full time so MQS is my time to rejuvenate, learn new things and meet many talented people.

Christy Watkins
My husband Ron and I moved to Flat Rock, NC 7 yrs ago. We were drawn to the beautiful mountains and milder climate compared to KY. I left my nursing job behind and wondered how I would fill my time as our only son was grown and married. My husband suggested I try quilting. I made a visit to My Quilt Shoppe, signed up for a beginner’s class and never looked back. I have been fortunate to find so many talented teachers here at the shop that has helped me along the way. I have made many wonderful friends in the process who love quilting as much as I do. I usually have numerous quilts going to keep me busy adding new techniques as I go along. I am now preparing to become a grandmother for the first time so will soon be adding baby quilts to my list of projects.

Carol Sloan
Formerly a registered nurse, Carol now spends her time looking for new classes to teach to support her quilt art habit. Carol loves exploring the outer fringes of fiber art and is always open to new hobbies. She lives in SC and loves traveling to Hendersonville to come to her favorite little quilt shop.

If she's not elbow deep in fabric and paint, you can find her knee deep in water, kayaking with her wonderful and supportive husband. Carol has a great 20 year old son that is a talented artist.

Margaret Jamison

I stopped teaching elementary Special Education last year after eighteen years. Since my husband is a retired Methodist minister, we have moved over all the state of SC. We now reside at Lake Bowen, Inman. I have three children and 2 granddaughters.

I started sewing on a Bernina in 1980, making lingerie at a shop that was owned by one of our church members. I fell in love with Bernina at that time. My husband promised me that after the kids got through college I could have a Bernina. He purchased me a 180E. Then I had to have a 200E and that has been up-graded to a 730. I got to sew on the new 830 at Bernina University in Kansas City. WOW!!

I have attended Martha Pullen's School of Art and Fashion for many years, taking many heirloom sewing classes taught by master teachers. Last March, I attended the "Martha Pullen's School of Heirloom Sewing with the Bernina" and became a certified teache