Artist Profile: Deborah Barnett
When Deborah Barnett's son Kumasi came to her with his old sweaters and asked her to make a quilt, Deborah agreed to try. She went to the quilting class at Fleming Senior Center in Dundalk and the women there helped her through her first quilt. Having fulfilled Kumasi's wish, Deborah thought she was done with quilting, but her husband and son encouraged her to keep attending the class. She still attends class faithfully. Deborah credits Miss Pat and her Fleming Quilting Family with making her quilts and quilting skills what they are today. Deborah says, "I make quilts because if I can make one person happy, I feel at peace and that I've done my part in the world."
When a friend in the class suggested she sell her quilts at the Exchange, Deborah remembered coming here years ago, when she visited downtown Baltimore more regularly. So Deborah came to the Exchange with her quilts in July of 2007, and has been working with us ever since.
Deborah specializes in colorful baby quilts. She sometimes uses classic patterns, such as "Stars and Blocks" and "Sunbonnet Sue". Deborah also makes quilts of her own design, such as "Crayons". Deborah attaches a fabric tag to the back of each quilt with her name, the name of the quilt, and the date it was completed.
Deborah says that the women in her quilting class tell her she uses a lot of detail in her quilts, and we agree. Currently, Deborah has a quilt named "Rompers" in the shop, pictured. It features twelve blocks with patterned rompers, and a romper motif stiched in each corner of the green border.
As I write this, in late June, Deborah is working on a baby quilt that is navy blue and features stars and animals. We may be lucky enough to get it in the shop when completed!