The Journey began decades ago. As a toddler I would frequently sit on the floor next to my mother’s treadle sewing machine and watch the methodical rhythm of her feet as the needle went up and down and her hands fed the fabric. I didn’t know it then but I was already hooked. At age 8 I was sewing on mom’s first electric sewing machine and by 10 she enrolled me in sewing classes at the nearby sewing center. I made a great dress. Unfortunately the style would have only looked good on a tall, slender woman in her late sixties; however, I learned everything from making hand bound buttonholes, to collars, hems and zippers.

I made my first quilt when I was in my twenties. It came from a kit I had acquired through mail-order and although it was lovely there was something lonely about it. Soon I discovered what was missing. It was the pure enjoyment of frolicking through fabric, quilting books and patterns. I’ve been frolicking ever since. I’ve moved fabric from the east coast to the west coast just because I might need it. My husband learned early in our marriage that there is no such thing as a scrap and kindly takes every teensy piece he finds and places them on the end table just in case I might be looking for them.

Designing came into my life quite unexpectedly. My daughter was born premature in 1971 and clothes were not readily available for tiny babies. I did what I had learned from my mother. Take the evening newspaper, cut, shape and sew. All of her outfits had matching hats and bloomers. The most important discovery was realizing that sewing had taken on a role in my life that helped me get through this difficult time and proves to this day to be a faithful friend.

Time I spent with my friend Rhoda, who owned a fabulous quilt shop in Flagstaff, Arizona is my all time favorite. I taught quilting and made samples for the shop sewing unique stuffed animals, Christmas ornaments, dolls, wearable art, quilts and even an upholstered doll chair. I joined my first quilt group in Flagstaff. A wonderful bunch of gals, we would go on quilting and shopping weekends where we would buy and of course eat everything in site. For several years I participated in numerous juried arts and crafts shows throughout Arizona.

My repertoire includes knitting (especially socks), crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, collage, appliqué, nature printing, quilting and two of my favorites, dying and painting fabric.

Transition from traditional to contemporary quilting felt natural to me. I have been pushing the envelope and creating most of my life. My mind is always designing. My interest in nature, photography, graphic design programs and fiber arts melded almost instantly with the birth of inkjet fabric sheets.

A special thanks to my husband Bob who is always so kind when instead of dinner on the table he finds a pile of fabric. And, to my two sons, Randy Rocket and Sam and my daughter Jennifer, I really did try to keep the pins and needles out of the carpet.

.....and so the journey continues. I hope to make many new friends. These designs are my way of sharing my excitement with the art world.
Beverly Massey