514 Brooklyn Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64124
A TASTE FOR THE COLOR OF CHOCOLATE
About Brown Town
Meet Merrie
I grew up in Montana, and I've come to realize that so much of my childhood has influenced my color preferences. I have loved the color Brown since a very young age, and my fondness for this color has expressed itself in my Quilting Journey. It has become a bit of a running joke in my local guild that most of my Quilts tend to have some Brown in them.....especially since Brown is not a popular choice for most Modern Quilters.
I love the Art of Quilting, and the fact that there is always something new to learn- whether it's a technique, color theory, or design process.
Quilting Background
I began sewing in 8th Grade Home Economics, and primarily made clothing for years. I caught the quilting bug at age 22, & was the youngest of the 13 founding members of the Flathead Quilters Guild in Northwest Montana. However, a growing family and several moves kept me busy and for over two decades I made only a handful of Quilts. When I "rejoined" the quilting world, the Modern Quilt Movement was in full swing and I loved the clean, vibrant colors. Once again I became a founding member of a guild - this time the North Jersey Modern Guild. I opened a Boutique fabric shop in a small Arts community in New Jersey, but that dream was short lived as we moved to Kansas City just one year later! I am now a lucky member of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild and I credit them with much of my growth, courage and enthusiasm as a quilter!
guild program & workshops
While attending a color workshop in 2017, the attendees were asked to share their least favorite (or most challenging) color to work with. I was surprised as person after person said "Brown"! Probably 80% of the group considered MY favorite color to be difficult to work with! An idea began to take shape for a program focused on using Brown in Quilts while still obtaining vibrant results.
My presentation, "I LOVE CHOCOLATE" showcases the color Brown in a wide variety of quilts. (see Gallery). I talk about why we are attracted to certain colors and discuss ways to challenge ourselves as quilters to see colors in fresh ways. The Program is personal, fun & informative, and consists of both slides and a trunk show.
Workshops: I offer a Color Challenge Workshop that compliments the Program, an Improv Circles Workshop, and a Collage Workshop.
As of June 2019, I am a Certified Laura Heine Instructor - I teach her patterns, but also discuss color & value, movement and ways to make your work unique even when following a pattern.
Introducing Color Dance Workshop
Quilt History
The Block featured in this Quilt was often historically referred to as "Crossed Squares" The original blocks - shown here - were pieced by my Grandfather. but never made into a quilt. He loved wild colors- much to the chagrin of my grandmother who was involved in more traditional quilting! In the process of discovering, rescuing, and piecing these blocks together, I learned some important color lessons and decided this Quilt would make a perfect project for a Color Challenge Class.
color dance class launches in 2022
Often when I speak at Guilds or Teach at Retreats, attendees want a Color Challenge Class that compliments the Program- but many of them were uncertain about an Improv Project. In 2022, ColorDance will replace The Improv Imposter as the Color Challenge Class. I believe it offers many more color lessons, as well as versatility & creative options.
instagram updates
Want to check on Progress of New Classes and Projects? Follow me on Instagram @theArtofSewing