Meet
Joyce Libal
If someone had told me 20 years ago that one day I'd be the senior editor
for a group of quilting magazines, I would have been startled to say the least. It is
certainly not something that was planned, but I guess life has a way of taking you where
you are supposed to be.
I've always enjoyed art and, although my college major was English, I took
every art class I could fit into my schedule. Shortly after my marriage in 1971, I started
decorating our first apartment with art and hand-crafted items in earnest. Each craft I
heard about became something I just had to try.
Sometime in the mid '70s I decided to make a quilt. Without pattern
instructions, or even a clear picture in my mind of what the quilt would look like, I
started cutting and stitching fabric. That is the hard way to become a quilter. I used
worn fabrics that didn't hold up well with use and a batting that lumped up when the quilt
was laundered. If I were just entering the world of quilting today, the first thing I'd do
is purchase a quilting magazine with color photos of beautiful quilts to inspire me and
clear patterns to get me started.
I remember my own rough start in quilting with each issue of Quilting Today, Traditional
Quiltworks and Miniature Quilts that we
publish. Making sure each pattern and techniques article has clear directions that even a
beginning quilter can understand, and each quilt published is one that even an experienced
quilter will enjoy, is a top priority.
Each work day is a pleasant adventure at Chitra Publications, largely do
the great folks I work with. We have a team approach to editing that works well because
our group of five editors possesses a blend of talents and specialties. Together we have
years of quilting and writing experience that a single individual could not acquire. A
range of quilting tastes is also represented on our team. That helps us produce
well-rounded magazines that can hold any quilter's interest.
Of course the editorial team at Chitra Publications doesn't produce the
magazines alone. There are a host of staff members working together to make each issue
happen, including our three art directors. One of them, Diane Albeck-Grick, helped with
the production of, Miniature
Quilts with Vintage Style, a pattern book that features little quilts made with
1930s-style reproduction and vintage fabrics. If you've been wanting to use some of this
distinctive fabric which is so popular today, browse though the quilts in the Quilt Gallery. Many quilters from across
the country, and even as far away as England, made the book possible by sharing their 30s
style minis.
In addition to doing the layout for Miniature
Quilts with Vintage Style, Diane made two of the quilts that appear there! I
couldn't resist including her diminutive Sunbonnet Sue in the book. It has the tiniest Sue
blocks I've ever seen and is definitely on my "some day" list of quilts to make.
I also love the vintage fabrics she used in her Tumbler Charm quilt. Fussy cutting some of
the fabrics makes Diane's quilt really special. I think you'll find that each quilt in the
book is special in its own way.
That's how I feel about all the quilts that arrive at the Chitra
Publications office. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see the lovely quilts that appear
in the magazines and books in person. Each time I do, I am reminded of my good fortune in
finding Chitra Publications.
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