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Martha has been sewing since she was a child, learning from her grandmother and mother. Making clothes was the main sewing; quilting was a by-product of having leftover fabric. When Martha had two daughters, she enjoyed making many of their clothes also. Now the children are grown and married, so quilting is a main enjoyment.
In order to perfect her skills, Martha continues to attend classes with such professionals as Jackie Robinson, Sharon Pederson, Karen Combs, Helen Squire, Charlotte Angotti, Barb Vlack, Janet Jones-Worley, Billie Lauder, Marcia Baker, Betty Cotton. In addition, she has taken quilt appraisal and quilt/fabric dating courses from Bobbie Aug, Gerald Roy, Terry Thompson, and Eileen Trestain.
She has taught quilt construction and techniques, including bargello quilts, reversible quilts, strip piecing, and Cotton Theory. Techniques include machine appliqué and paper piecing. In addition, she has taught design basics using computer program Electric Quilt.
In September 2005, she took the certification class for Cotton Theory in Osseo, Wisconsin, with Betty Cotton. Cotton Theory is a patented method for quilting first, then piecing. It allows the quilt maker to complete a two sided reversible quilt on her home sewing machine without struggling to stuff a large quilt under the sewing head. The quilts are also three dimensional, with lovely soft folds. Decorative stitches not otherwise used on sewing machine add to the interest of these quilts. Martha is continuing to teach many classes in several states on the Cotton Theory method.
Martha attends many quilt shows and continues to take classes to learn and improve her skills. It is important to keep up with current trends.
Making quilts for others by special order is a love for Martha. She has made many baby quilts, from receiving blanket size to larger. Other orders have included from small wall hangings to king size quilts. Pictures and references are available.