Where do you live: Newberg, Oregon
How long have you been quilting? More than 20 years!
How did you get started quilting?
Mymaternalgrandmother, Hilma Larson Haworth, is my original inspiration. Hilma was born in 1899, the daughter of Scandinavian immigrants. She lived most of her life on a small farm outside Boise, Idaho., where they raised cows and chickens and sold milk and eggs and some crops. Grandma got into quilting when they sold the farm and moved into town. She made two quilts for each of her grandchildren. Grandma hand-quilted everything–and by herself. Shewanted the qualitycontrol. She died when I was pregnant with my first child, and she gave me a little shoebox of her scraps and a pattern for a Sunflower Sue Quilt. I wish I’d had time to learn more from her. I made the Sunflower Sue quilt for my oldest using Grandma’s pattern. But I didn’t start quilting in earnest until about ten years later — and I’ve never looked back!
What is your favorite part of quilting?
I probably like piecing blocks the best, watching a quilt come together as I’ve pictured it in my mind. I love colors, and I love the “hand” of good quality cottons. Sometimes (in the “before times”) I’d visit a quilt shop if I needed cheering up, just to see all the colors and feel the fabrics.
What is your least favorite part of quilting?
Definitely getting a quilt basted! It’s such a barrier for me. I’ve figured out a way to spray baste on my dining room table, and that’s helped. But I still have many quilts draped over my stair rail that need to be quilted!
Do you have a day job? If so, what do you do?
I don’t currently have a day job; I guess you could say I’m officially retired! But before that I worked as a copyeditor (grammar nerd!) and a university administrative assistant. I also stayed home with my kids when they were young.
Do you design your own quilt patterns?
No. I toyed with the idea, but so many out there are doing such great work, I decided my role would be to cheer them on and support them. I enjoy seeing so many younger people quilting and designing!
If you could eat only one meal/food for the rest of your life, what would it be?I could probably eat Mexican food just about every day. And I do love ice cream.
What three words best describe you?Authentic. Empathetic. Straightforward.
Which do you prefer: fat quarters or yardage?I probably use fat quarters the most
Favorite season?Fall
Instagram name:@quiltsbypaulajean
Website name:N/A
Anything else you would like to promote?
Over the past few years I’ve made a least a dozen 60″x80″ comforters for Mennonite Central Committee,a humanitarian and economic development organization connected to the Mennonite Church. They collect comforters/quilts and distribute them to areas of need around the world (natural disasters, conflict, etc). I love the idea of someone, somewhere receiving comfort from something I’ve made. It’s a tangible gift of love and care. Quilters are so generous! I encourage everyone to find a place to use gifts and talents for the greater good.
