If Arlene Stamper’s quilt designs haven’t won you over yet, then her warm smile and kind demeanor certainly will.
Honored as this year’s Featured Artist, Arlene is best known for perfecting “block of the month” quilt patterns. Since 1999, Arlene has created two complete block quilts a year. There are now 24 quilt designs available to purchase through her business, The Quilt Company, that she runs with her daughter, Melissa.
Before starting The Quilt Company, Arlene was a quilt teacher. Beginning in 1980, she and her students participated in “Swap-A-Block.” Each month, students worked on their own quilt block design based on a chosen theme such as birds, barns, and flowers. Then at the class, everyone would bring their one dozen finished quilt blocks (which included their individual signatures) and swapped them with their fellow classmates. The result? Uniquely crafted friendship quilts that were collaboratively designed. Through the years, her Fallbrook, California group has had 47 such exchanges.
In addition to the quilt blocks, Arlene is also known for teaching the Double Wedding Ring design. She patented a technique to make it easier to put together this challenging quilt.
Arlene’s exhibit at Road paralleled her career, showing many of the quilt block quilts she spearheaded. “Being at Road was like returning home,” commented Arlene. She was able to visit with former students and reminisce about past classes. She felt like her “Career had come full circle,” and so enjoyed the reunion she was having.
A big smile that invites quilters to create and share their unique work. That is the essence of the talented Arlene Stamper.
Which of Arlene’s “block of the month” designs have you made?
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Tags: Arlene Stamper, Block of the Month, Swap-A-Block, The Quilt Company
