Tell me about yourself Jolene?
“I live on a farm near Little Turkey, Iowa with my husband. We have 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren. For my education, I attended Area I, (NICC) for the secretarial program and have been employed by Howard County Mutual Insurance Company in Cresco for 22 years. Our family had a dairy herd for many years and grew crops. We stopped milking in about 2000, and we now crop farm growing corn and beans.” When I asked Jolene what color they farm with she said, “Well my husband would say- Is there any other color besides green?!”…he means John Deere. Jolene stays busy with the field work by picking rock, working the fields and hauling loads of corn and beans. In her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, traveling and motorcycle trips with her husband.
How did you get started with quilting?
“I always told myself I would start quilting when I retired. In 2007, we found out we were going to be grandparents and there was a strong desire in me to make that new baby a quilt, so that is when I started. Growing up my mother was a 4-H leader, and there were 7 girls in our family and we all learned how to sew, and 5 of us still sew now. I made pajama pants and shorts to start out with and then when we had children I made the kids simple clothes.”
Tell me about this quilt?
“I have always wanted to make a maple leaf quilt. About nine years ago my kids used this pattern and bought me the fabric for the project. Their intentions were well meaning, but the fabrics they bought did not coordinate. They are not quilters and they just picked out what they thought would look best! I kept their color palette and choose all batiks for the leaves in jewel tone hues. I am excited to have this quilt completed.”
Do you have a certain style of quilting and what inspires you?
“I lean toward earth tones and nature inspired fabrics and patterns. If I see a finished quilt or a pattern that I like, I put that on a list in my mind that someday I will want to make that. Currently, I have a log cabin variation on my list of UFO’s and a Metro Rings quilt that will be challenging but I am looking forward to learning how to complete this one.”
In regards to your quilting, what are you most proud of?
“I have mastered the 1/4 inch seam allowance while piecing my quilts. This technique makes putting the quilt together much easier and the quilt is square when finished.”
What sewing machine do you use?
I started with a Sears Kenmore and in 2016 I gave it to my daughter and I upgraded to a Babylock Melody and I really like it. There are a lot of options, but not too many.”
What is your favorite quilting notion?
“All of my basic sewing tools, scissors, rotary cutter, all of my rulers but especially my Nifty Notions 7×24 inch cutting ruler..”
What should customer’s look for in their longarm quilter?
“I feel quick turn around is important and that they help you when choosing a quilting design and thread color to compliment the quilt.”

I know you enjoy attending quilt retreats, why would you encourage others to try this?
“Because you have three days of no interruptions! It almost feels like a bonding experience because everyone is doing the same thing. You are also learning tips from the other quilters. At the retreats, there are usually a variety of ages, so the older ones can help the younger ones and the older ones find it interesting to learn about the projects the younger ones are doing. It is just a lot of fun, we do nothing but quilt!”

Do you have any other thoughts on quilting to add?
“Don’t wait to start quilting, start now! I began at a good time. We stopped milking, the first grandchild was born, the other children were in high school, so had had more free time. I am glad I did not wait to start until I retired.”

Do you have any tips for Jolene on how to make her new Metro Rings (Wedding Ring) project go together easier? Please share your advice!