Program #194 — A Chat With Penny McMorris
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Running time: 00:45:31 Size: 43.8 MB
Penny with daughter, Erin McMorris who designs gorgeous fabrics for Free Spirit
Penny McMorris has given us Electric Quilt software. Have you thought about how much of an impact that has made on the Quilt Industry? She first started out as a quilt historian and author before she created The Great American Quilt mini-series for PBS.
I have an autographed copy of this book that a quilt shop owner brought back for me from one of the first Quilt Markets:
Did you know that Penny did this fantastic book about Crazy Quilts?! She did!
I had a chance to talk with her at Quilt Market and in this podcast, Penny tells us what’s new with EQ. Until the Great Harddrive Crash of 2010, I wasn’t able to use EQ on my computer — but now I can! I’m so excited. I know that there are SO many EQ users that love EQ and use it faithfully. I always love talking with Penny — she’s so warm and gracious. So, that’s all I’m going to say here. You need to listen in!
As a bonus to this podcast, I included a chat that I had with Laura Fiedler of Quilt Album software about that nifty quilt collection database.
I LOVE it! Quilt Album allows me to document all of my quilts, with the particular information (like fiber content, size, who the quilter was, etc.) BUT what I like about it the most: 5 pages of room to write my personal stories of my quilts so they’re not lost when I am gone.
There’s so much functionality in the Quilt Album software, that you really have to go and visit their website to see for yourself. I think this is probably going to go on your wish list
For a chance to win your very own copy of the software, leave a comment that includes a story of one of your quilts that no one knows but you. You need to listen to the podcast so you know what I’m talking about so you will leave a proper comment.
You’ll need time for this, so I’ll do the drawing for the winner at midnight, April 24th.
(Sorry I’m late in getting this up — I’ll make it up to you ; )
I took some great pictures at Market with Penny and Laura… ; / But there is a great video on the Quilt Album website so you can see how the software works. Check it out!
©2011 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
Annie,
Loved the interviews-listened last night and decided I may need some quilting software. I have just never looked into it so with these interviews, my interest is sparked!
Emily
Hi Annie, I remember my first quilt, made when I was 13 – I still have that quilt, and am sure I ought to document it better than I already have. Would love a copy of “Quilt Album”.
I am interested in this software because I had eq 5 and then 6 but when I went to Windows 7 I had misplaced the disc for my software and could not update. Right now I can not afford to buy the EQ7 cause we are paying off the house. I loved designing in EQ6 and spent many hours virtual quilting. I think it reallly helps me improve my color selections and designing the quilts I make.
I have to wait until tonight to listen to the podcast cause I have download restrictions and can only download unrestricted between 2am and 7am…. bummer.
Hi Annie–I have tried twice to listen to the podcast and it stops after about 10 minutes at the part where Penny McMorris is talking about turning photos into etchings, etc. Is it just me?
Hi Annie, I enjoyed your podcast about EQ7 and Quilt Album programs. I am a Mac user, too. I would still be reluctant to use EQ7 for that reason, but I may try it if I see it at a show somewhere. The Quilt Album software is intriguing, though. I do take photos of my quilts, and “plan” to put them all in a scrapbook with stories, but haven’t quite gotten around to it yet. I do share a little about my quilts on the Ravelry Quilters Knitting group.
My most recent large quilt that I finished was started in 1994. My oldest son was then 4 years old, and his passion was music and musical instruments of all types. I had just renewed my interest in quilting, and had taken a couple of classes at Daisy Kingdom in Portland, OR. I found a line of fabric that was light blue with musical instruments all over it. I bought enough for a twin quilt, including backing. The pattern was from an Eleanor Burns Star Snowball book. Over the next year or so I made the top, invented some borders, and hung it in the closet until I could quilt it. I looked at it many times, but never managed to quilt it until this spring(2011), thanks to help from the UFO support group in the Ravelry group. My son is now in his junior year of college, but he does still want the quilt. Right now it is on his bed, but he may take it with him next time he comes home for a visit. I knew I would finish it someday, so hooray! And on to more UFO finishing!
When I made my Gramma her quilt 5 years ago, I really had difficulty finding the fabric I wanted. Its amazing, because the fabric I finally “settled” on is just absolutely her.
I’ve been racking my brains and can’t think of a quilt with a story like you’re asking for. I’ve got my first two quilts that remind me often of the first meetings I attended of my guild, and quilts with other meanings. This program is a good idea to use in order to keep track of these things as the quilt is in progress. Please count me in, Annie. Thanks.
It is hard to pick one quilt story, so I will tell you of my first quilt. I was bed ridden while pregnant with my first baby and found a kit to make a small baby quilt that is now a wall hanging in my sewing studio. I knew nothing about quilting or appliqué, but I was determined to figure out how to make it. The points don’t match up, the seams are too big (a quarter inch seam didn’t make sense as I had always sewn clothes), the batting is falling apart and the appliqué pieces look sad. However whenever I look at the quilt it reminds me of hope. I had been told I would never have children. It was a surprise that I did get pregnant and even though the baby I was carrying at the time struggled to survive, I stitched and prayed for that baby, who is now 31.
While the demands and struggles of life interrupted my quilting for many years, that first quilt sparked within a love for fabric and quilts that has never left. Thank you for encouraging the stories. Putting this into writing has brought back many memories and left me with the importance of writing down those stories. Until now, no one has heard this one, and there are many more. Thank you. Jackie Berdych
I already have EQ7 and love the software (have since EQ5!) and it was so cool to recognize Pennys voice as she obviously is the voice behind the “video demos” in the software. I’m continually learning many things with EQ7 – I recently drew in all your blocks from your applique book so I can “play” with them in future designs – such fun! I couldn’t seem to get the “Quilt Album” link to work – hopefully it will work later. As for “memories” – no big stories, but I do think a lot while working on a quilt – especially about the person it’s for or wherever it will be going. Hope your Easter is a happy one!
Probably my favorite quilt is the one on my bed that was made from cut up clothing so many years ago I don’t remember if it’s 10 or 20. See that’s why I need the software:) this quilt was made with scraps and has been used and washed so many times it’s all faded and coming apart at the seams but I still remember some of the clothing that it was made of.
I have just spent the last hour trying to download the podcast on 2 different computers. I keep getting a message that either the file is corrupted or in an “incorrect format.” Bummer! I really wanted to win this software! I can tell you that the most meaningful quilt I made was for my 16-year-old nephew when he was diagnosed with cancer. I printed Bible verses on fabric and incorporated those into the quilt. Thankfully, my nephew is doing very well!
What an interesting concept of documenting the meaning behind quilts. All quilts are meaningful and it is easy to forget the stories behind them.
I am a relatively new quilter and have only made two, but the first I made was as a senior in high school in a quilt and design class. It was a rewarding experience seeing a pile of colorful fabric turn into a beautiful design. I made a larger quilt than most of my classmates and had to work feverishly the entire first week of Christmas break to quilt it on my mom’s machine in order to finish on time. I didn’t know then that quilting would remain an interest of mine!
Thanks, Linda! I still need to do a podcast interview with you!!
My sister and I used to quilt when we were together. Years ago, we started our New York Beauties. We didn’t live in the same state, so it was taking a long time! The deal was, I couldn’t go on to the next step, until she was ready—we were always together. Well, I moved to FL to be near her, and we finished our quilts last year. Both were entered in the Naples, FL Quilt Guild annual quilt show this spring and we both got ribbons—believe it or not, I got a blue ribbon and she got an honorable mention. We are now off on our version of a 30″s quilt. Can’t wait to display it in my “Quilt Album”. (Provided I win one!!!)