Teacher Bios

2011 Teacher Biographies

Frieda Anderson

(Frieda Anderson)

Frieda Anderson made her first quilt in high school. Since that time she has published books, articles, had solo exhibits and exhibited her quilts in many national shows as well as appearing on several TV shows. She discovered dyeing fabric about 16 years ago and now her quilts are made almost exclusively with those hand dyed fabrics. Many of her inspirations come from her daily walks in the woods with her dog, George. Frieda makes her home in Elgin, IL.

Andrea Bishop
Electric Quilt

(Andrea Bishop)

 Andrea began working at The Electric Quilt Company in 2001. Being asked to play with quilt design software and do geometry on her computer screen all day was a dream come true for this Applied Mathematics major from Bowling Green State University. After a few months at EQ, it was evident that her talents as a virtual quilt designer were above and beyond what anyone could have expected. She can draft blocks, even complex Feathered Stars and Compasses, in a few minutes. Frustrated by the fact that complex quilt blocks are actually hard to sew, Andrea recently released her own block library of over 500 Kaleidoscopes that are easily foundation-pieceable for the beginning quilter. Her kaleidoscope flower quilt “Congregation of Poppies” is in the April/May 2009 issue of Quilters Newsletter. Andrea has authored many of the EQ’s software user manuals and edits instructional books written by other authors. She wrote the books that come in the EQ6 and EQ7 boxes, including the instructional lessons in both software programs. In addition to being EQ’s Webmaster, Andrea is now the company’s Software Educator. Andrea has appeared on episodes of America Quilts Creatively, Quilting Arts, and has also appeared on NowSewing.net, QNNtv.com, and Quilting with Shar.

Mary Buvia

(Mary Buvia)

Mary is a self-proclaimed old fashioned girl. Throughout her 18 years of quilting, Mary has created many original works of art which have won more than 30 national awards. She has earned Best of Show, Best Machine Quilting, Viewer’s Choice, and Category Placements at the most prestigious shows in the country. The International Quilt Festival, The American Quilters’ Society, Road to California, Quilt Odyssey, The National Quilting Association, The Quilter’s Hall of Fame, The Indiana Heritage Quilt Show and many others are honored to include her in their winner’s circle. Mary has been machine quilting for eleven years, exclusively on a stationary sewing machine with no stitch regulator, digitized embroidery or computer software. She has taught machine quilting for ten years. Mary has developed a monthly “Designer’s Series,” which presents a new quilting style or technique for students who study with her on an ongoing basis. Many of these designs are available for purchase as patterns. Photos of Mary’s quilts have been published in 500 Art Quilts, The Quilt Life, American Quilter, AQS QuiltArt Engagement Calendars, The International Quilting Association Magazine, and Quilting Quarterly. Mary makes her home in Greenwood, IN.

Becky Goldsmith

(Becky Goldsmith)

Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins are the owners and designers of Piece ‘O Cake Designs. A chance meeting at the Green County Quilter’s Guild in Tulsa, OK in 1986 began their friendship and ultimately led to their partnership. In 1994 their husbands’ careers led to moves; Sherman, TX for Becky and Pagosa Springs, CO for Linda, but it didn’t deter their commitment to keep designing. They are the authors of numerous books, articles, blocks of the month, patterns and have appeared on TV. They are still enthusiastic about designing and make it work long distance!

Beth Wheeler

(Beth Wheeler on Right)

Beth is a free-lance artist, product development specialist, author and instructor. She has written more than 44 books for quilting, crafts and collecting audiences, hundreds of articles and her own line of Muttonhead quilting patterns and products. A passion for discovery led her to develop processes for analysis of technique and design. These skills are the basis for her artwork, workshops, articles, books and products. Beth lives in Fort Wayne, IN.

Lori Marquette

(Lori Marquette on Left)

 Lori is a free-lance artist and certified massage therapist with a growing passion for art, photography and graphic design combined with fabric, threads, and technology. She has worked with Beth for 16 years and during this time has renewed her childhood passion for quilting and crafting. She brings life-long passion of the healing arts, unique perspective and a healthy sense of adventure to artistic creativity. Lori also lives in Fort Wayne, IN.

Sue Nickels

(Sue Nickels)

 Sue has been quilting for 31 years, starting by hand and gradually focusing on machine work. She has taught and lectured nationally for shops, guilds and major conferences and has also taught internationally. She has received many major awards and is the author of several books co-authored with her sister, Pat Holly. Sue provides a relaxed environment for students to learn machine techniques that are timesaving. Sue emphasizes the best quality workmanship, never compromising quality for speed! Sue lives in Ann Arbor, MI.

Linda M Poole

(Linda M Poole)

Linda says she was destined at an early age to cut things apart, glue, paste, tape, build and sew all sorts of little things to keep busy. Linda continued to achieve success in her stitching and has authored books, written articles, taught and exhibited her quilts. She is also interested in animals, photography, gardening, writing, painting, and journaling just to name a few of her hobbies. Linda resides in Milford, PA.

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