Mary Marcotte comes from generations of traditional quilt makers. She enjoys challenging herself by working improvisationally to create her one-of-a-kind quilts. And, she is a finisher – you won’t find any UFOs in her studio!
How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
It took a long time to get here. I was always a maker, but crafts aren’t quite the same, especially when we’re talking about fine art.
I made things, and sewed things, and glued things. There were a few experiments, disasters, and dust-ups. But there were things that I thought (at the time) were beautiful, unique, and me. And I loved those things.
Eventually, I began to give more value to my work, and others seemed to agree with me. I am an evolving artist, always learning and playing.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I made my first quilt when I was 20 years old, and my oldest boy needed one. It was probably poorly made, and certainly did fall apart, but I like to romanticize the idea that he and his brothers loved their quilts enough to wear them out.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
Everywhere. Simply everywhere–in nature, in fine art, in the gorgeous quilts my friends make, and the works of other artists. Even, sometimes, in my own works.
It’s a matter of mindset. You have to look for beauty in the world. Beauty is whatever makes a person look, deeply, at something. Of course, people are drawn in by different aspects, but isn’t it wonderful that, because we see things through different lens, we can share the beauty around us?
I don’t think that everything is beautiful, but I can try to find the interesting, bold, soft, whatever, in a thing. A rotting log in the woods probably has moss or lichen or insects that draw you in, so you look closely. For that moment, it’s not just a rotting log.
Something as ordinary as a hand becomes something beautiful when you look at a sculpture or drawing–the shape, the lines, the tones, etc. Nothing is truly ordinary.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I am an improviser, mostly! I have planned and drawn out portrait quilts and barn quilts and still life quilts. But give me any old fabric and let me play!
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I’m a writer, so there are pieces of paper all over the place. My novel, poetry, and short stories begin in a notebook where I get things out of my head. Once I’m ready (whatever that means) I move to the computer. I also love to doodle and draw. Some ideas start out on paper scraps and some in notebooks.
You are a writer. Tell us a little about that.
Firstly, I’ve published a novel, “This World So Fierce,” about teens who live in a foster home and have to face adversity when a new boy arrives. It’s available on Amazon, Books A Million, etc. and on my website, marymarcotte.com. I’m hoping to have the sequel come out early next spring.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
I’m definitely a finisher since I don’t have UFOs: I have scraps that will be the start of a new quilt. I like to pull orphan blocks that become the inspiration for a new improv quilt. Cutting an orphan block into pieces can be liberating, for me and the orphan.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I have a wonderful sewing studio! It is filled to the brim. Always a mess. My favorite place to create.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
Oh, I sew with scraps as much as I do with yardage. Improv lends itself to using all sorts and sizes of fabric.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
New works generally begin with a simple need to create or learn.
I am a confident quilter, and figuring things out for myself is just how I do things.
I may “reinvent the wheel” or “build a better mousetrap.” Who knows? I pull fabrics for a color palette and just start sewing pieces together.
I may set parameters but then break the rules. Improv is like that. When I say “improv,” I mean the rules are renewable and the focus is flexible.
I often become so engrossed in a project that I forget the original idea. And I can’t explain how it all happened.
How has your work evolved over the years? Is there a common thread (pun intended!) across the years?
I started in 1980, so there have been many changes since the days of traditional quilting.
My mother, grandmother and mother-in-law were all quilters, so I had the best traditional teachers. Except, they also had to “make do” so some of their quilts were absolutely what we call improv quilts today.
I started out with traditional quilts, played with appliqué then art quilts, and found my way into what we now call modern or modern traditional quilting.
I make improv quilts and focus on modern traditional blocks to teach traditional students how to become improv quilters. The common thread is that I’m a lifelong learner.
Once I feel competent enough in a skill or form, I move on to something I don’t know.
Do you prefer the kind of project that is challenging and requires attention, or the kind where you get in your meditative zone and enjoy the process? What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
The previous question leads me right into this one. I want challenging projects, but I prefer to challenge myself with something new. I enjoy sewing and quilting, so motivating myself requires some learning. Otherwise, I’ll create my own by asking myself “what if…,” “how can…,” “why not…,” and things change fairly quickly.
What was the biggest challenge that you encountered on your creative journey? What did you learn from it?
Commissions are generally difficult unless the client is willing to let me “do my thing.” I’ve learned that I really can’t create without some experimentation.
Where can people see your work?
I have works in local shows, but photos of the majority of my quilts (about 150 of them) are on a neatly organized Pinterest board,
Interview posted December 2024
Browse through more inspiring improv quilts on Create Whimsy.