Hello all, Mary Ellen back.

I love scrap quilts. I’ve made several-4 or 5 large ones, and many minis. I love the interplay of the seemingly unrelated patterns, the focus they put on values rather than individual fabrics. I can’t say where this interest comes from. Although I do come from a long line of needleworkers–my first quilt was made for me by my great-grandmother–all of those quilts in my background were planned fabric assortments. The really early ones are made of solids.

The current episode on Quilters Newsletter TV (a free video compilation) is an interview with Pepper Cory about her feelings on the importance of scrap quilts in helping to maintain our history and quilting tradition. It’s about 10 minutes long. Pepper has been a “name” in quilting for quite some time. Back when I began quilting in earnest, in the 80’s, there were only a few “names” around. It was so unlike today when new designers are popping up all of the time, and bazillions of quilters have their work on the internet. In those early days if one needed advice, instruction, or inspiration, finding it involved a search. Pepper’s books were among those one could count on. I agree with some of her thoughts about the latest fabric collections, and making quilts from them. See what you think. Put yourself into your quilts. See if Pepper’s words inspire you to bring an “ugly” family quilt out of the closet and onto the couch or bed.