NADINE THOMPSON

I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I have been involved in needlework for the better part of fifty years. From the stamped flannel baby layettes purchased at the variety store to the hand quilting and appliqué I do today with cross stitch, crewel, smocking, silk ribbon, garment making, etc. and more, in between. In the eighties I worked for an art needlework company in new product development interpreting the art work of the designers into needlework. Twenty years ago, I moved on from there to teaching in a local shop, just one step ahead of students who did not know I was learning appliqué as I was passing it along to them. As my own work improved, so did that of my students and we acquired new skills together. Many of the beginning students were the core of students that came to Baltimore Appliqué. I taught many Baltimore classes that met once a month for a year. Foothill Quilters in Auburn CA hired me five years in a row to teach these classes. My work has taken me from the west to the East coast. I have taught at Quilt festival in Houston, TAS in Sacramento, CA, Quilters Heritage Celebration in Arizona as well as for guilds all over CA, Louisiana, Nevada, Missouri, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, and most recently Williamsburg VA. February 2010 will be my sixth year. My quilts have appeared in magazines such as Quilts, A World of Beauty, Quilt, QNM, and in books by Sally Collins, Jean Wells and Color For Quilters by Christine Barnes. My needlework and quilts have won honors at Alameda county fair, Marin Quilt and Needlework show, ( first, best in class, viewers choice) Houston Quilt festival (first places), Pacific International ( First, Best of show) Baltimore Album Revival ( Best In Class). My quilts have been part of special exhibits including a traveling show across England, a show in the museum at Paducah, and in Traditional Treasures II at Spring Market 2005. My quilt, "In My Garden," won Best Hand Workmanship at PIQF in the fall of 2009 and won First Place and Best Appliqué at the Vermont Quilt Festival in June 2010.

I would have to say that I get most of my inspiration from the quilt makers of long ago. I so admire the wonderful work accomplished under conditions many times severe by today’s standards. I am excited by their undying dedication to the best work possible. So when I need ideas I immerse myself in my books and clippings, go to quilt exhibits online and ask myself why a certain quilt works for me, what there is about the appliqué placement or color choices, the quilting designs, even the finishing that makes my heart sing. I then apply the essence of what I see to my project.

The future of my quilt making is a day to day thing for me. I know I plan to make quilts I love. I want to get better at all aspects of appliqué and hand quilting. Recently I have a new enthusiasm for unfinished projects, as well as new ideas for the future work.

Because I am semi-retired, I have given myself permission to work as much or as little as I want. The last five years I have chosen to do the fun things. This has meant I am most often working in an all appliqué environment where everyone present is there for the same purpose, to appliqué, to accomplish much, and support and be supported. It doesn't get any better!