2006 Mary Conkel Award

Gloria Ross


My earliest memories of quilting were actually playing under the quilting frame when my grandmother, aunts and her quilting friend were gathered around it quilting. I have always had an interest in sewing and crafts. I made a denim quilt with the help of my Mom when I was 14. I sewed all of the blocks and we used an old blanket for the batting, and an old sheet for the backing and tied it with red yarn. It is very heavy.

I did all of the usual home economics sewing projects making bags and shirts and I made both of my proms dress. Only because in a small town the selections are limited. So Mom said lets make one, so that means more sewing.

I tell this little story about my graduation gift from high school that my parents gave me. Because looking back it was one of the best gifts that I received from them. (Yes, Mother does know best!!!) I wanted a stereo (this was back in 1978) it was the rage and I was going to take it off to college with me, but my parents had other thoughts and felt that a sewing machine would be a more practical gift. I was bummed at the time but that sewing machine took me through many sewing projects that I made for myself or for my kids, especially the Halloween costumes every year, those are great memories.

Then one day my machine started skipping a stitch so I loaded it up, and took it to the repair shop, thinking oh after 20 years it just needs a good cleaning. To my horror the lady said well this machine cannot be fixed the cams cracked. I thought what was I going to do without my machine after all of these years? So out to purchase a new machine I went. And have since purchased several other sewing machines. Thinking back about receiving that machine was the best gift for me at the time I just didn't know it, and that they really were looking out for me and my future.

I had made a few quilts along the way on my own, but I had a friend call me one day and say " I signed us up for a quilt class at Country Clutter" so we went and got all of our supplies and went to the class and had a great time. I finished mine and hand quilted it and she got mad and threw hers away. We still joke about that. Mom came to the summer fest in 1999, with me and we went to the quilt show and I really enjoyed it but did not know anybody in the quilt guild. Deb Israel was at the information table that Mom and I were visiting and she invited me to the next meeting and gave me the information packet. Yet when it got closer I was still not sure that I wanted to go by myself. Mom said "just try one meeting if you don't like it you don't have to go back". I went to that first meeting in September and was very glad that I did. I came back the next month and joined.

Since then I have meet so many wonderful friends and served a couple of times on the board. I enjoy helping and volunteering were I can.

I have a Longarm Quilting machine that I purchased in 2004. My daughter Bridget also caught the quilting bug so between the two of us we had several tops that needed quilting so if I was going to quilt for myself I thought why not quilt for others. My business is called Starspangled Quilting, and several of those tops of mine are still not done because I enjoy quilting for others!

I have a degree in Commercial Art and Photography and have worked for Tension Envelope for almost 25 years, I work in prepress. My husband David, enjoys restoring cars, so he understands my quilting passion and helps with dinner and other chores. I have two children, Brian 25 and Bridget 23. She and her husband Nick are expecting their first child at the end of the year. I am so excited. Just maybe there will be another quilter in the family. I do have time to enjoy the things that I like to do now. Besides quilting, I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, calligraphy, painting, reading, gardening, and spending time with my family and friends.

Being awarded the 2006 Mary Conkel award was a big surprise to me. When you least expect something it makes it that much more special, and how a small token of appreciation can make a person feel. Thank you to all of my guild quilting friends for giving me this honor.

I enjoy making quilts for babies, graduations, weddings, birthday's and just because quilts for my family and friends, and donation quilts to remind me of how far and grateful I am for my life.

Gloria Ross with Mary Conkel Award

Gloria Ross with the Mary Conkel Award.