Any time I’m home, I’m cleaning up the studio. It’s always a mess.
I’ve finished up my work travel for 2024 and it’s been so nice to be home. As I’ve worked to clear my creative space, I’ve unearthed some treasures.
I’ve had this magazine for 34 years because in 1990 it was a HUGE deal when Lady’s Circle Patchwork Quilts featured Nebraska and Nebraska quilters in its pages.
I remember looking at the editor’s image and thinking what a cool job she must have. I loved her edgy specs! I couldn’t imagine being so hip.
The magazine came to Nebraska at the warmly convincing invitation of Brenda Groelz. Brenda was a founding member of Nebraska State Quilt Guild and went on to build a pattern business, write a book, become editor-in-chief of Quiltmaker and lead Handi Quilter to world dominance among longarm manufacturers.
Mary Ghormley and her quilts were featured. She was one of the nicest people you could ever meet and she had a quilt collection, antique fabric collection and knowledge of quilts that knew no bounds.
This photo of her vintage Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls inspired my own collection. I loved the way she displayed them together.
Unless you’re an old timer like me, you might not know that Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham were at one time a couple. They wrote a column called Making It Your Way. This one is especially interesting because it talks about their feelings of alienation from “modern” quiltmaking (not what you and I think of modern today).
Gwen was big on spontaneity and doing things “by eye.” She was one of the original proponents of improvisational quiltmaking. Her book Liberated Quiltmaking is a classic and in my opinion, began to lay the groundwork for some elements of the modern quilt movement.
Jan Stehlik was a quilter and historian with a wealth of knowledge and a knack for research. She presented many programs for quilters and history lovers on a wide variety of topics and was always a delight. She wrote one of the first books about Nebraska quilts: Sod House Treasures.
Two quilts by Shelly Burge were also featured. Shelly Burge was a well known Nebraska quilter who exhibited widely and taught internationally.
One full page was devoted to a beautiful leaf quilt by Bonnie Miller of Papillion. I love this quilt because while the fabrics and the block are quite traditional, there’s a definitely modern vibe because of the asymmetry and the negative space. She was a forward thinker.
I’m sharing all of this because the magazine brought back so many memories. I had babies and toddlers when I lived on Dover Drive. Having a magazine team come to Nebraska made me realize that I was surrounded by influencers, a word that hadn’t yet been coined.
The women who were featured spoke at my quilt guild and were leaders around the state—they influenced me greatly and moved me toward becoming a dedicated quilter. This in turn led me to an eventual career in the quilting world and that changed my entire trajectory.
This magazine won’t go into the giveaway pile, no sireeee. It holds too many heartfelt remembrances. I’m keeping it for a good long while yet.
Quilt on,
Tags: bonnie miller, brenda groelz, famous quilters, gwen marston, inspiration, joe cunningham, magazines, mary ghormley, Nebraska, quilt history, shelly burge
Sue Crane
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I had this magazine! The leaf quilt inspired a friend of mine to make one and I helped her fix her mistakes. It was actually a Lady’s Circle regular magazine that got me started quilting in 1972. The magazine had an article on quilting with two patterns. Sunbonnet Sue was one and I made it with poly double knits, hand appliquéd! I used my dressmaking scraps and I have since named her Polly Esther Sue. I have never stopped quilting and have the chaos to prove it! Thanks for the memories Diane. (I’m a member of Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild and loved our zoom meeting with you)
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Susan Dileanis
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I loved that magazine. I remember that issue.
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Kaye Mattson
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I wouldn’t get rid of that magazine either! What a great look back at some Nebraska quilting history. We have come a long way.
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Linda Theriault
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I grew up in Omaha, now living in Flagler Beach, loved reading all about Nebraska quilting.
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Kimberly
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I adore this!
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Mary Hamilton
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What a great history! Thanks for sharing!
Merry Christmas!🎄
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Dot
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What fun to see that magazine! I remember that Brenda Groelz was a frequent participant in the Usenet discussion group rec.crafts.textiles.quilting. That group was the earliest social media for quilters, and connected quilters around the world.
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Sandi Griepenstroh
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Thanks for sharing this! Very fun to see some founding mothers:) I started quilting in 1991, so this magazine predates my obsession with quilting:)
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Bridget
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Still have my copy of the visit to Michigan. Loved LCPQ magazine and miss it!
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Karen O’Dowd
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What fun to read your comments about the Nebraska issue of Lady’s Circle Patchwork Quilts, and what fun it was to make that magazine! Yes, it was a dream job to travel and meet quilts and quilters in their natural habitat and share what we saw to inspire the creation of even more quilts. Thanks for sharing your memories!
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