March Featured Maker and Pattern: Hum a Few Bars by Mary Davis of Mary Go Round Quilts
Is the world starting to thaw where you are? We’re excited about the promise of spring, and we’re really excited to reveal our designer for March, Mary Davis of Mary Go Round Quilts!
Mary’s featured quilt pattern, our March pattern of the month, is Hum a Few Bars. For the month of March, Mary will be donating 50% of the proceeds from the pattern to Minority Veterans of America (MVA). For this month’s interview, we chatted with Mary about her collaboration with Modern Service Quilts. Read on!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your quilting journey?
I have always been a crafty person. I started out as a garment sewer and did that for many years. I taught myself to quilt after seeing my mother pick up the hobby later in life. My first quilt was a sampler wall hanging. It’s been over 25 years, and I still enjoy all aspects of quilting. I am now a quilt pattern designer and host of an online membership that features quilters of color.
Why did you want to collaborate with Modern Service Quilts?
I know some service members’ families struggle with their jobs, families, and coping in their communities. I want to help MSQ bring a little bit of joy to a vet in need by providing whatever help they can.
Do you have your own personal connection to the military, service members, or the tradition of making honor quilts?
I come from a military family. My father was in the Air Force, as were my brother and his son.
This month, we’re highlighting your Hum a Few Bars quilt pattern. Why do you think this particular design lends itself well to becoming a modern honor quilt?
Striped quilts are always good options for honor quilts, and Hum a Few Bars is no different. The pattern offers several options for using different numbers of colors, so it lends itself well to a red, white, and blue color scheme (or any combination of those colors), especially if you want to use a range of shades.
Do you have any other patterns you think could work well as honor quilts?
I think my Launch Party quilt pattern would make a good honor quilt. The quilt requires three colors and would look great in a patriotic theme.
Do you have any tips for making a quilt pattern appropriate for an honor quilt?
An honor quilt usually contains red, white, and blue colors. But don't be afraid to add a contrasting color to it to give the quilt a more modern feel.
You’ve chosen to support Minority Vets with your Hum a Few Bars pattern sales this month. What led you to choose that particular charity?
I always want to be able to support minority causes - that is why I selected this charity. Oftentimes, the minority causes do not get as much attention as more mainstream popular charities.
Mary, we’re so glad to have you on board, and thank you for sharing this wonderful pattern with our makers! Head to Mary’s shop to purchase your own copy of the Hum a Few Bars pattern this month. And don’t forget to share your work by tagging Modern Service Quilts (@modernservicequilts, #modernservicequilts) and Mary on social media (@marygoroundquilts, #marygoroundquilts, and #humafewbarsquilt). We can’t wait to see the stunning quilts you all make.
If you need information on donating your finished quilt to a veteran, check out this page.
We’ll be back mid-month with more information on the sample quilt we made using Mary’s pattern. Until then, be sure to follow us on Instagram for lots more photos and information and sign up for our email newsletter below.
