Duane Carpentier

Duane has been a member of the leadership team for over 2 years.

I was born and lived most of my life in Fort Dodge, Iowa. My wife and I moved here to Rocky Mount, NC several years ago. I was an avid wood worker and tinker of everything before we moved. I had to sell most of my tools when we moved here. I was looking for something that my wife and I could do together as I am disabled and Michele works out of the house, so meeting people and friends had been a challenge. One day I said, “let’s get a sewing machine and learn how to make a quilt so we can make that t-shirt quilt from moms’ shirts.” We went on to YouTube and found a learn to quilt series from Shabby Fabrics and learned all about the terminology, tools, and the how-to’s, to make a quilt. I took to it like a duck takes to water. The similarities of wood working and quilting are so similar. There are plans and choices of material. The rotary cutter is the saw, there is measuring, prepping and the sewing machine is the glue and nails. We never got the T-shirt memory quilt done for my Mom, somewhere in the moving process, the box of t-shirts had gone missing.

After making my first quilt, I quickly figured out I was hooked and that shipping my quilt off to be quilted was not that satisfying to me. I am a start to finish type of person, and it did not take Michele long to figure out I would be wanting a long-arm as well. So, after 3 quilts I purchased my longarm. Then, just this year we got the computer system to go with it.

I do not really have a go to favorite pattern. I see a quilt pattern and I picture a friend or family member that would love that quilt. My goal is to make all my family and friends at least one quilt. I really enjoy seeing them get something handmade by me, and the enjoyment and warmth it brings them.

After my disability got worse and I could no longer go back to Iowa every spring and fall to help a friend farming; by planting and harvesting the crops, it was time to join the quilt guild. I’ve really enjoyed learning and meeting other guild members. I look forward to the next meeting as soon as we walk out of the current meeting.

Since joining the guild, I have joined and am active in Four bees. Busy Bees, Cutting Corners, The Patriotic Bee, and the Open Sew Bee. I learn so much from all the talented quilters in each of them. I also have been a member of the Leadership Team for two years.