Marie Osmond
Marie Osmond Does It Again: This devoted singer and quilter shares her new designs.
By: Cynthia Van Hazinga
Iconic performer Marie Osmond recently talked with Quilt magazine about her love of quilting, her outlook on life, and her latest fabric collection for Quilting Treasures.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your quilting?
My mother loved quilting, and when I was a girl we did some sewing together. Because my brothers and I toured hundreds of days a year, I concentrated on portable craft projects like knitting, crochet, and needlepoint.
In 2001, my mother had a stroke and was incapacitated until she passed away in 2004, though her mind and spirit were lively to the end. She couldn’t sew herself, but that didn’t stop her from dreaming up quilting ideas. In her final years, I set up a sewing machine next to her hospital bed and stitched quilts (with her nod of approval on design) while we talked for hours at a time. I wanted all the wisdom she could give me. It was because of this priceless time spent with my mother that I fell in love with quilting. It truly is like a love letter for the future generations. I’ll never stop quilting now! Quilting is more than an art form to me. It’s the history of family love in America.
Do you find quilting relaxing or stimulating?
As a single mom with eight kids and an entertainer who does a show with my brother Donny five nights a week in Vegas, I look forward to any quilting time that I can squeeze into my schedule. To sit at a sewing machine and create a quilt for an hour is really good therapy. It makes me so calm and focused. And, if I can quilt for two hours…it’s like a spa treatment! I feel totally refreshed. I believe…my skin even looks better.
Have you taught your children to sew?
My 19-year-old daughter, Rachael, has sewn since she was very young. She makes clothes, Halloween costumes, and fun bags for her friends. My 11-year-old, Brianna, and Abigail, who’s six, just got a starter sewing machine and are making baby quilts for their dolls, and my son Michael, who is 17, is learning the craft, as well. He has a great fashion eye and interest in design. Watch out, Calvin Klein!
What inspires your fabric design?
I am inspired by my surroundings and how I am feeling at the time we are developing the collections. For example, “Gypsy Breeze” was developed when I was touring the globe with my brothers last year, celebrating their 50th anniversary of singing together. “Blanc et Noir Fashion” has a sophisticated downtown flair, combining black, white and fuchsia; it’s perfect for contemporary quilts.
What do you like to do to really relax?
To relax fully and feel peaceful, I read my scriptures every night. They always remind me of what’s important: faith and family.
You have such a tremendous appetite for life—what would you advise the rest of us to do to tap into life’s spirit?
Ask yourself: What is it that I love to do? So often our time is filled with what we are good at doing: work, caretaking, community service, etc. But to replenish your own spirit you should do something that you would love to do—for yourself. Even if it’s something you’ve never tried before. Try that thing you’ve always wanted to do. It will fire up your imagination and recharge your spirit.
Anything else you’d like to tell QUILT‘s readers?
If we do not pass our skills to the younger generation, they may be lost. I have incredible heirlooms made by the hands of my grandmother and mother. To look at them and hold them gives me comfort every day. I’m so grateful my mother took the time to teach me to sew.
To find out more:
Marie Osmond Visit www.marieosmond.com For more information on her fabric lines, visit www.quiltingtreasures.comTags: Spotlight on Designer
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