Montreal Modern Quilt Guild: Member Spotlight: Claudia Pedroso

For November, the MMQG member in the spotlight is Claudia Pedroso. Claudia has been a member for a couple of years now and is our new Treasurer. Claudia is also our Welcome Wagon for new members so please feel free to ask her any questions you might have about the resources available to you as a new member.

Thank you so much for agreeing to play along with us Claudia! :-)

What did you study in school and/or what do you do for a day job?

I am the controller for a management company whose focus has shifted in the last few years from capital venture to philanthropy. It’s one of the reasons I am enjoying my new role with the MMQG as treasurer - taking my two favourite things, quilting and accounting, and combining them – it’s a perfect relationship!

How long have you been quilting?

I believe it was around 2002 although I have worked with needle and thread since I was very young. Embroidery, sewing, crochet, knitting… And yes, I was that geek who joined the sewing club in high school and would voluntarily spend lunch hours in the Home Ec classroom!

My first quilt:

What first got you interested in modern quilting?

I always had issues with the fabrics and patterns I would see in conventional fabric stores and magazines but it wasn't until I joined the MMQG that I realized that my tastes were different from what was out there and that there was a brand new world about to open up to me.

How did you find the MMQG and why did you decide to join?

I have known Cinzia Alloca, co-founder of the MMQG, for over 25 years and she invited me to come to a meeting to check it out. Once there, realizing more what modern quilting was about, seeing the beautiful show and tell items that night was all I needed to see this was where I belonged. Seeing so many people as passionate about quilting as I was - also a real treat.

Where do you look for inspiration or ideas for your quilting projects?

Since discovering the concept of improv in modern quilting, I try to look for inspiration in everything I see, whether it be a scenic beach, a painting on a wall in a restaurant, or even a vase in the office of a bank employee. Mostly though, I get inspired by what the other members of the guild bring to the table, their work, their stories, their techniques…

Scenic Beach:

Restaurant (Bad Date!):

What is your favorite project that you have completed? Why is it your favorite?

This is a tie between the quilt I made my daughter that was the first time I let myself be inspired by the fabrics I chose and also "changing" a pattern to include only elements I liked and dismissing elements I did not like (sashing….yuck) and my Beachball quilt, only because the colours are so happy and I use it at the beach!!

Arianne's Quilt:

Beach ball quilt:

What is your favorite part of the quilt making process? Why?

I think my favourite part of the quilt making process is a tie between the beginning of assembling a quilt and the binding of it. It is exciting to see something that was only ever in your head start to take form in front of your eyes and then to see it finished when the binding comes on - and , I must confess, I actually enjoy the feel of the fabric beneath my fingers when I am sewing on the binding.

What is the best quilting tip or technique you’ve discovered?

Mitering the corners when applying the binding was an "ah ha" moment for me at a workshop I took with Cinzia. She taught me a whole bunch of other things at that workshop but the corner miter….it was as if the sun had risen after 10 years of rain!!

Describe your creative process in three words:

Usually involves wine!

Other quilts: