Meet Kaye Wood
Kaye Wood is one of the most noted quilt designers in the country and hostess of the longest running quilting program on Public Television. Kaye Wood released her 40th television series to PBS in December 2007. Kaye has now provided 520 television programs. This is an amazing accomplishment!
Kaye considers herself a designer, not of quilt patterns, but a designer of techniques that simplify machine piecing and insure accuracy. After teaching sewing and machine embroidery for many years, in 1979 she began experimenting with quilting patterns and designs and found that she could come up with shortcuts that simplified the piecing of quilts using the Starmaker® Master Templates she designed. Since then she has authored over 20 books on quilting and has designed 9 quilting tools.
As she discovered new timesaving ways of quilting by machine, she kept notes. These notes, along with notes from the classes in which she taught her techniques, became the basis for How-To segments on the "Northern Michigan Morning" show on a local TV station in 1980. The show was very well received by viewers and Kaye returned in 1982 for another series of lessons. She also appeared on several national sewing programs.
Kaye started producing instructional videos and in 1988, she began producing her own Strip Quilting 13-week series for Public Television.
In 1991 Quilting for the '90s began. Quilting for the '90s is not just another quilting program! It features the leading names in quilt design with new techniques guaranteed to entice every sewer. Kaye plays host to several talented authors and designers, showcasing their projects. There are now 8 "Quilting for the '90s" 13-week series available to Public Television.
In March 1996 Kaye combined her programs Strip Quilting and Quilting For The '90s into the all-new Kaye's Quilting Friends. This program includes Kaye's tips and techniques in Strip Quilting along with guest speakers from all over the country demonstrating their specialties. The 20th series of Kaye's Quilting Friends is now available to Public Television.
In addition to her TV programs, Kaye teaches her Strip Quilting seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, including her Strip Quilting School
Kaye is the originator of the popular "LoveQuilt Connection"-Quilts for those who need a little extra love-which is a nationwide event with quilt guilds and shops. These 6 Hour Quilts are easily done in a large group and provide quilts for those in need.
In January 2007, Kaye Wood launched the KayeWoodTV.com website. This is a website featuring many episodes of Kaye's Quilting Friends. Each episode has Kaye or a guest showcasing their talents, ideas, tips and techniques. Viewers just log on, pick an episode, click and watch!
Kaye holds a degree in education from Michigan State University, and says that her greatest desire is to share her quick and easy ideas so more people can enjoy the creativity of quilting.
"I've been a rotary cutter enthusiast since the early 80s when they first became available. Now Clover has revolutionized the rotary cutter with their better than anyone else's blade. It is amazing how long it stays sharp. And I have to have a sharp blade. Now they have added a light that shines directly along the cutting path, which is great with dark fabric or when the light is not as good as it should be. NOW, when the electricity goes out, you can still rotary cut."
"My second favorite is the magnetic pin cushion. It's like a toy. When you have to pick up pins, they all line up because the magnet is polarized. When you have to pick up pins, or toss the pins toward the pin cushion, notice if they line up to make it easier to use. Or do your pins just pile up in all different directions? The cover for the pin cushion comes in handy when you take it to class." - Kay Wood
Visit Kay Wood and her creations at http://www.kayewood.com
Watch Kay Wood at http://www.kayewoodtv.com
