Linda Rowe
The ceramics room and longarm quilting machine were big factors when George and Patsy Wagner decided to move to PebbleCreek 4.5 years ago. George never dreamed that he would not only become a quilter, but the only male member (so far) in the PebbleCreek Quilters Club. According to Quilting Daily, only 1% of quilters are male. This makes George Wagner unique.
George became interested in quilting when Patsy bought a new sewing machine to use as a backup. He had seen Patsy make quilts for years and thought it looked like fun. Patsy agreed to give him the new machine if he could learn to operate it.
George, a retired computer programmer, says quilting is similar to computer programming because they both require following a certain set of steps. While most new quilters select a pattern and follow the instructions, George soon found that his favorite part of the process is design. He really makes an effort to “say something” to the recipient.
His family didn’t have too many comments about his new hobby, until they started getting quilts from George. His family has been very surprised and appreciative of quilts from George, and let him know they totally connect with it.
George loves the club’s focus on charity. He says, “The great thing about making charity items is that there is always something to do. I can keep creating and making quilts without them piling up at home.” Patsy had told him that charities needed quilts for men and boys too, so this has become a focus for George.
George realizes that while charity quilts are not necessarily heirlooms meant to last forever, it is about the moment they are received. They may be received by an adult or child in a hospital, hospice, or domestic violence shelter. It is about them having something special right now that makes a difference.
You may wonder what Patsy thinks about all of this. George reports Patsy has been thrilled. Quilting is a creative shared interest. And, with Patsy serving as the PC Quilters Club chairperson for charity work, George assists her with collecting, adding labels to items, and distributing items. He also works with Patsy on the longarm machine to complete quilt tops. When asked what it’s like to be the only man in the club, George said that he has felt most welcomed and been so impressed with the amount of help and support from members.
During a recent class, George demonstrated using the Go die cutter by making some Volkswagens. Someone else added flowers, another person added some stars. Before they knew it, they had spontaneously designed and made a quilt.
This design gave George the idea for his next quilt. He will be making his brother a hippy quilt with Volkswagens, peace signs, and numbering 1969, the year of Woodstock, complete with daisies and colorful flowers. You can’t remember the hallucinogenic look of the ’60s without smiling.