November 2024 Guild Member Spotlight

This month's guild member spotlight is the very sweet and talented Janice Roy. I have gotten to know Janice through the guild and her long arm services and she is the most generous and giving lady I have met in a really long time. Her charity work is amazing and I can only strive to be as kind hearted as she is. Please enjoy reading about Janice's quilting journey. And she mentioned that her favorite thing is sharing my love of quilting and gathering with like-minded friends. 

Answer: “I grew up admiring my grandmother’s many quilts. She made one for each of us, at birth. She also created one for each of us for our high school graduations. We still have these quilts. Having a compulsive personality, I waited until my children were grown, before diving into quilting. In 2003, I heard that my first grandchild was on his way. It all began right there! I purchased Laurel Birch’s Jungle collection and a book, and I taught myself. My second quilt was with a 9” strip set of assorted bugs; these were the popular in 2003. That quilt had prairie points! After joining the guild, I had amazing teachers amongst the group. I was indeed obsessed with quilting. I have made hundreds of quilts for charity and friends. I’ve only kept maybe a dozen or so, ones that hold special memories.”

 Answer: “My guild days all started with a purchase from New England Fabrics in 2004. It was suggested, several times and by some of the customers, that I attend the Cheshire Quilters’ meeting. I went to the August ice cream social and was made to feel welcomed by several members immediately, Espie Davis and Edith Garcia.”

Answer: “I name all my quilts and create labels using my Epsom printer. I purchase full sheet labels and stick to the wrong side of PFD fabric. (Prepared For Dye) Using a rotary cutter, I then cut around the label’s edges to use in my printer. In Word, I type up a poem selected for the recipient with date and my name. Then send it through my printer. I always named my customers’ quilts when I did longarm quilting."

Answer: "I was grateful for the opportunities to serve the group in many ways over the years. In 2006 I became newsletter editor and the Lowell Quilt Museums, Guild chair. I emailed the museum’s news to 100 plus guilds in New England and New York. In 2013 the museum started emailing guilds directly. With the help of the mini group, “Knotty Quilters”, in 2007 the giraffe closet was started. I served as VP with President, Susan Vekasy. Chaired Block of the Month one year. Another year, Quilt Show Co-chair with Nancy Robinson. I very much enjoyed organizing Open Sew events.”

Answer: "One of my favorite memories, was belonging to our mini group of “Knotty Quilters”. This is where I learned applique and proper piecing. I can still hear Elaine Laitinen telling me to take it apart and do my work again. Thank you, Elaine!”