Prolific, kind, and generous, quilter Janet Frazier has long-armed dozens of quilts for QBB which are always beautifully done, perfectly finished with machine-stitched binding and labels.
It’s always a treat to get Janet’s quilts! We wanted to recognize her efforts for QBB over the years, share some photos of her beautiful work, and learn more about her inspirations for quilting and beyond.. Thank you Janet!
“I was not a quilter, nor was anyone in my immediate family, but I made a new friend who was. She wanted to go visit Missouri Star Quilt Company which is a couple of hours away. Always up for a field trip, I said, “Sure, let’s go!” I was not going to fall down the quilting rabbit hole.
So, after I finished the first couple of quilt tops and had them longarm quilted at a local quilt shop I decided to do some quilting on my domestic machine. That led to a determination that I would not be happy with my quilting unless I had stitch regulation, which ultimately led to my acquisition of a computerized longarm machine with a thirty-inch throat and a twelve-foot table. Go big or go home, right?
I really like traditional quilt patterns such as log cabin, stars, double wedding ring etc., but I also like modern designs and the intricate designs made with the foundation paper piecing technique. When I am planning a quilt, I try to take into consideration the recipient’s taste (they are almost never for me) and the type of use it will receive. The internet provides thousands of pictures of quilts of all styles for inspiration along with quilts at local quilt shows.
I learned about Quilts Beyond Borders from one of the “ten places to donate quilts” lists found on the internet. I was very interested in providing nice, warm, colorful quilts to children who needed them and the Quilts Beyond Borders mission spoke to me, with quilt recipients both in the USA and in foreign countries. I had recently retired and wanted to keep busy doing something meaningful. Quilts Beyond Borders was a perfect match for me.
My favorite quilting tip or technique is about the quilting. I like to have the quilting design relate to some element in the quilt top, whether it be the color of thread or the theme of the quilting design or both. Sometimes the backing plays a part also. I love to receive new tops and pick thread and quilting designs that pull everything together or add more to the overall look.
I have many other hobbies and interests in addition to quilting, which is why I was determined I was not going to go down the quilting rabbit hole! I have been a knitter since I was a small child and have made countless afghans, mittens, hats, socks and sweaters. For the last thirty years I have also been a hand spinner and use my handspun yarns for many of my knitted items. My husband and I have raised sheep for the past twenty-six years and most of my handspun wool yarns have come from the fleeces of our sheep. I have also dabbled in weaving.
It is an honor to be included in the Quilter’s Spotlight. I love receiving the beautiful quilt tops that other talented volunteers have created and turning them into quilts. The need is great and I am grateful to be able to contribute my little bit to help children wherever they may be.”
Quilts Beyond Borders 