MQResource

  This week we are pleased to feature teacher Jean Shute of Otis Orchards, WA.  Jean taught the first class (“Color and Design for Art Quilters”) here at the MQR University, and she will be teaching her new class (“Portraits in Cloth”) starting later this month.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy getting to know a little more about her; and I know you’ll love the photographs of the pieces she has shared with us.

Please be sure to visit the forum and thank Jean for taking the time to participate in our “In the Spotlight” feature.

MQResource: Please tell us a little about your family.

My sweet hubby and I have been together 30 years.  Brave man took on a single mom with three children.  I have two daughters and one son, three grandsons and one granddaughter.  The furry and feathered household members include one tiny sheltie named Katie, a 23-pound tabby cat, Meesh (short for Meatloaf); barn kitty Ernie (19), mouser extraordinaire, and Ollie our gray and white goose (18).  Our animals are long-lived.

MQR: Where do you call home?

Otis Orchards, Washington, near the Idaho border.  Our nearest cities are Spokane (pronounced Spo-can), 20 miles away on I-90 heading west, or Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 14 miles, heading east.  We live on 3 ½ acres a country block from the Spokane River.

MQR: How long have you been quilting and how did you get started?

My paternal grandmother lived on a farm and was a quilter.  I remember her treadle sewing machine whirring away to make her clothes, slip-covers, and quilts.  The double wedding ring made of feed sacks on her bed intrigued me from an early age with all the bright colors against the white background.  My mother taught me to sew when I was 10.  I began doing my own quilting in the early 70s, sewing for a local shop owner, and I made and sold quilts at local crafts fairs.  Time to make quilts was scarce as my children grew up, but I began anew in the late 1980s.

I’ve been making quilts for about 37 years.  I began machine quilting just before my last grandchild was born – 11 years ago.  I took a local domestic machine class from Pam Clarke and decided this was a lot of fun.  I made lots of baby quilts and other things.  I had an opportunity to take an early retirement from the Federal Courts when they were having budgetary problems.  I was 55 and knew I would need some additional income.  A friend in the office had a cousin who did longarm quilting.  I visited her and was hooked.  I bought my A-1 six years ago and had my first customer four months after I got my machine. My plan is to continue taking customer quilts until I turn 65, then I’ll “retire” again and just play with my own.

MQR: Do you still do much piecing, or are you all about the quilting?

I’ve gradually gone to making art quilts.  I do attend a couple retreats a year when I can piece and I take December off to complete my Christmas projects.

MQR: Do you have a quilting business?

Yes

MQR: What is your favorite part of quilting for other people?

Getting to see all the beautiful quilts and meet the fabulous ladies who bring them to me.  I’ve made some wonderful friends.

MQR: How long have you been teaching?

I’ve taught traditional quilt making over the past 20 years.  I have also taught art classes in drawing and painting.  When I focused on art quilts, many people asked me to teach classes on my methods and the materials I use.  It’s been a lot of fun.

MQR: What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Seeing how excited students get when they’ve discovered something wonderful they can do themselves.  I get just as excited as they do.

MQR: What is the most challenging part of quilting for you?

Finding time to get it all done!  Also, feeling guilty when I take a day off to do something for myself.

MQR: What are your favorite quilting tools?

I don’t use many tools – practically all my work is freehand, but I use Janet Lee’s favorite ruler, and love my Gingher curved-blade embroidery scissors I keep on a retractable holder for snipping threads.  The curved blades make less chance of cutting the quilt top.   I’ve only zapped myself in the face once or twice when I let go of them a little too abruptly.

MQR: What hobbies do you have (beyond quilting)?

Well, when there’s time (hah) I  do portraits, make hand-painted tiles, draw and paint, wall murals, sew quilted bags, sew clothes, garden, love needlework of all kinds – knitting crochet, embroidery, Russian punch needle.  I spin wool for mental therapy – the quiet turning of the wheel, my bare feet on the foot treadles, and the wool moving through my fingers will bliss me right out!  I have to knit and crochet to use up all that yarn.

MQR: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Tillamook’s Mud Slide – chocolate fudge layers in chocolate ice cream – heaven for chocolate lovers.

MQR: Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?

Ummmm…… both!  Actually salty just ever so slightly. 

MQR: What is your favorite beverage?

Pineapple juice or failing that, a good blended margarita!

MQR: What is your least favorite food?

Green beans – yecch!!!!!

MQR: What are your favorite books/authors?

I love murder mysteries – not the gruesome kind where they dwell on all the particulars, but the how, where, and who-done-it parts.  Fantasy books – I’ve read practically all of Lois McMasters Bujold books since Suzanne’s recommendation.  Great stories – just wish there were more!  Mark Twain, Shakespeare, many of the classics draw me.

MQR: What are your favorite movies?

Comedies and love stories.  Something with intrigue and minimal bloodshed.  Some of my past favorites have been Shawshank Redemption, As Good as it Gets, Princess Bride, Sleepless in Seattle, Hunt for Red October.  Old movies are fun.

MQR: What is your favorite time of year?

Any time but winter!

MQR: What is one of your goals for 2009?

To catch up, clean out, get rid of!

MQR: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about quilting or your business?

As the teaching expands, I’d like to cut back on customer quilts a bit.  I won’t stop entirely, but it would be great to have more time to pursue other fun things.  Actually, my plan is to fly to Missouri, and plug into Shirley for an energy transfusion so I can achieve half of what she does LOL.

 All photographs have been provided by Jean. 

Thanks, Jean!  Please don’t forget to visit the forum to post any questions or comments that you may have for her.