Betty Pillsbury Tames More Than the Velvet Beast

Here is the quote that appears on the bottom of Betty Pillsbury's crazy quilt Perchance:

© Betty Pillsbury

I had never taken a class from Betty before and I had my first chance at the Crazy Quilt Adventure this past April in CT. I think this quote sums her up perfectly.

I think Betty is that never ending thread that weaves that cloak...

She is quick to smile and to laugh...to connect with those around her. There's a glow about her...a sense of peace and wisdom. Which, indeed, makes you feel as if a cloak of delight has wrapped around you ~

Your spirits are lifted and you're inspired to tackle any task.

© Betty Pillsbury

So, Taming the Velvet Beast was a great name for Betty's class...a class where we worked exclusively through the challenges and benefits of working with this tricky, yet sumptuous, fiber.

We embossed on velvet, learned tricks on sewing with velvet, and painted these sweet little forget-me-nots on velvet...

She brought with her many of her award-winning quilts including Crazy Diamonds which has won 13 awards including AQS and the Vermont Quilt Festival.

It's a showcase for lots of beautiful examples for using velvet...

© Betty Pillsbury

I love this velvet palette...

© Betty Pillsbury

It's an absolutely stunning quilt to see in person and I can see why it has won so many awards.

© Betty Pillsbury

And it was this center medallion of her Crazy Diamonds quilt...

© Betty Pillsbury

That we were taught how to re-create using our own color selections and velvet backgrounds.

Here Claudina Hruby finishes up a beautiful salmon-pink version of Betty's flower...

It was a great class. Betty peppers the day with lots and lots of sewing tips and information so you tend to learn way more from her than what's listed on her class syllabus.

I thoroughly enjoyed digesting her tips and her work.

Here are some highlights from another of Betty's award-winning quilts, Homage to Ardelia:

© Betty Pillsbury

I really liked this kaleidoscope effect surrounding a central motif.

And the messages she seems to tuck in here and there for the viewer's inspiration...

© Betty Pillsbury

Betty quilts from the heart and it shows.

Wouldn't I love to use this tea cozy and to have Tea with the Queens!

© Betty Pillsbury

And I love how this block is appliqued on-point onto a vintage, embroidered linen napkin...

© Betty Pillsbury

Now, as if her own work isn't enough...

Betty also has an extensive collection of amazing antique crazy quilts which she lectured about on Friday evening. Oh Mon Dieu!

It was almost too much to take in...I was bursting with inspiration. Luckily, I persevered and was able to take a few pictures even though I was hyperventilating...

Aren't those seam treatments something? Oh, and those velvet petals??? TDF!

And I was struck by the use of striped fabrics and antique woven ribbons in many of her antique examples...

And how about this spider?

And all these names and monograms...

See what I mean??

You better train up if you're going to spend time with Betty Pillsbury. She is rich in history, talent and knowledge and she's willing to share it all!!

If ever you have the chance to hear her speak or take a class, you won't be disappointed.

And here's the bottom line...she's just plain cool.

And I haven't even told you that she's an Herbalist! Or, that she lives in the Catskill Mountains, tends a five-acre herb farm and sends her herbs out into the world to help heal what ails us.

I love her Wrist Rub, her Open Sinuses oil...but most of all,

I just love her.

I hope you enjoyed meeting her today. You can visit her here at Green Spiral Herbs, or here at BettyPillsbury.com , or visit her on her blog here.

See you tomorrow.