Mel Beach is a San Jose, CA based quilt artist, teacher and lecturer, who breaks away from tradition by adding her own modern, beautifully textured, and colorful twists. She loves stretching her creativity through her completion of 80+ quilt challenges at the local and international level. Her quilting journey draws upon her inquisitive nature of asking "What If?" and “Why Not?”, working in a series, comedy improv studies, along with her love of nature, photography, and sketching.
Her award-winning quilts have been exhibited internationally, juried into national quilt shows and traveling exhibits, published in books and magazines, and Mel has been featured on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show.
Photo: Quilt Shows: Spinning Stars made as part of Everything Old Is New Again challenge sponsored by Michael Miller Fabrics and Modern Quilts Unlimited on display at 2018 Houston Quilt Festival (left) and Carmen Miranda Mandala made with Sew Fruity collection and juried into Pacific International Quilt Festival 2019 (right)
How long have you been sewing/quilting?
How long have you been sewing/quilting?
My first quilt was made in 2003 using T-shirts from high school, college, and summer camp. I didn't know about stabilizer, quilting, or binding…so there was a lot to learn! I got the quilting bug, went out and purchased quilting cottons, and have been quilting ever since! I was mostly self-taught, learning from books and magazines. In 2011, I enrolled in my first quilting class and learned a ton of new tips and tricks for getting better results! I was hooked and enjoy adding new techniques to my quilting tool box by taking a variety of quilting workshops and setting annual New Year's Resolutions that are focused on quilting/creativity.
What other hobbies do you enjoy?
Most days start with a morning walk, followed by a yoga or a group cycling class. I enjoy taking photographs to document my quilting adventures and capturing inspiration in the form of color combinations, lines, shapes, and textures! I also enjoy fabric dyeing and stayed cool this summer with a series of ice dyeing experiments.
For the past 4 years, I've been taking comedy improv classes, which are not only super fun, but I've been able to transfer these skills into both my quilting and teaching.
What was the biggest change in your life in 2019?
2019 was a busy and exciting year, especially with a full schedule of traveling, lecturing, teaching quilting workshops, and even taping segments for Quilting Arts TV! When I wasn't on the road, I stayed busy in the studio creating fun new quilts, developing new workshops, and I recently purchased my first Long Arm machine!
Photo: clockwise starting top left: Traveling/teaching, packing quilts for trunk shows, new Long Arm machine, taping for Quilting Arts TV
What is your favorite food?
Sweet and salty combinations, such as caramel & cheddar popcorn or chocolate & pretzels, are dangerous to have around me!!
Do you have any pets?
I have three studio assistants: Susie Q, Panda & Callie. These rescue pups serve in a variety of important roles: companionship and entertainment, protection against delivery persons, and serving as models for my quilt finishes.
Photo: Top left clockwise—pups on their charging station, Callie Coordinating with a stitched composition notebook, Panda posing with Pin Wheels & Pink Lemonade, Susie Q pumped about Pumpkins made with MM fabric
What is your favorite color?
I gravitate towards using bright and vibrant colors in my quilts, and I love adding pops of black and white prints!!
Photo: Mel Beach with Peace by Piece Quilt—made for Our Yard MQG/Michael Miller fabric challenge
Follow Mel's quilting adventures via her website www.melbeachquilts.com and Instagram @melbeachquilts
Photo: Mel with her quilt: Always Follow Your Heart
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