VERONICA CARLISLE

MEMBER, AFRICAN AMERICAN QUILT CIRCLE OF DURHAM

Veronica’s love of quilting and fabric came from her mother and both grandmothers. Early in her teaching career, her mom was a Home Economics teacher. She made most of Veronica’s clothes when she was small and later encouraged Veronica to sew. Veronica’s favorite things to make were home decorative items like place mats, table runners, curtains and valences.

Veronica has fond memories of warm summers in Greensboro, Alabama, with both of her grandmothers sitting at their feet helping them quilt. Her tasks were to cut blocks using templates cut from a cereal box; thread needles; and sometimes sew a block or two. They used purchased fabric and fabric from old clothes. Even back then, she loved touching the pieces of colored and textured fabric they kept in peach baskets. Quilting helps her feel connected to her mother and grandmothers. She is thankful for the quilting skill and passion that they ignited.

Veronica makes bed, baby, and lap quilts but she particularly likes making smaller art quilts. Using lots of pieces and African fabric in a quilt is one of her signature styles. Most of her work is machine pieced and quilted. Veronica works with a variety of fabrics like cottons, linens, sheers, home decor, and jersey. Embellishments include purchased trinkets, found items, lace, and paint. No matter the fabric or technique, whether the quilt is from a pattern or original, whether the quilt is functional or art … Veronica is passionate about quilting!