Dear Friends,maday28

A force of personality, Maday is passionate about her life. She approaches her sewing projects, sewing classes and community projects with equal verve and dynamism. As I’ve gotten to know Maday I’ve come to realize she’s more of a city gal; taking off on junkets to Chicago to breathe and feel the action of the city beat. These short trips are a nice punctuation to her home base in scenic central Wisconsin.

Connected to Wisconsin’s larger quilting community, Maday is a part of a new Wisconsin Pubic-TV documentary on quilting. “Treasured Quilts of Wisconsin” showcases tradition, innovation and inspiration. It airs this Tuesday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m. with follow up times through December 11. Check the schedule for online viewing after aired via TV. Maday teaches quilting and art classes at Ardyth’s Sew ‘n’ Vac in downtown Baraboo and also at Nancy’s Notions in Beaver Dam, WI. Currently, she’s teaching a wildly popular ‘Barn Quilt Class’ which is a fusion of a fusion of painting, woodworking and quilting! Click here for details on registration for December 12th class.

Giving back to her community

In February, 2015, Maday and her family launched Free Spirit Sewing Machine Project in the Baraboo, Sauk County area. Feeling that family and consumer science classes have become a lower priority in the education system, Maday sought to create awareness and provide opportunity for students and adult community members who would like to learn to sew. After all, “it’s a skill we need; we all wear clothes.” Here’s Maday’s philosophy and reason for giving back to her community:

“Sewing has become an integral part of my daily life and I want to ensure that others have access to the tools that have so positively impacted my life. Making these available in the community has become my main focus.”

According to the project, the Baraboo Public Library was the first recipient of three brand new Janome sewing machines. The library is a great resource in the Baraboo community and creative programs are in the works for this summer. In early summer 2015, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sauk/Baraboo received a new Janome sewing machine to be used in the club. They also were the recipients of art supplies and scrapbooking die-cut machines. The third recipient was the Lodi High School Music Department as they prepared for their next production, Shrek. The donated machine was put to good use! The fourth recipient, who received the sixth machine, was S. Joseph School’s Art Department where the Janome will join their creative space. In December 2015, Maday and her family presented Sauk County Libraries with three brand new sewing machines.  In April, 2016, two sewing machines were given to Kent District Library in Michigan. The list keeps growing! Keep up with the Free Spirit Sewing Machine Project here.

Artist Statement:

I’m a fiber enthusiast, Janome Artisan, avid urban gardener and student living in the Midwest, with a passion for color and making. I draw inspiration from nature’s colors to fuel my textile pieces with energy and texture. Whenever time allows, you will find me working with soil. That is what truly started my creative growth more than a decade ago, though I did not know it at the time.

 

In 2012 I began to sell made to order custom pieces at arts & craft shows and exhibits. My renewed focus today is on teaching and developing urban gardens whenever possible; I’m passionate about the environment and self sufficiency. I enjoy creating contemporary and traditional textile compositions of varying sizes, using new and repurposed fabrics.

 

My goal is to teach, create and promote sustainable practices in our daily lives, which bring both enjoyment and nourishment. Sewing is one those that allow us to become independent and confident. My philosophy both in sewing and working with nature is to follow as few rules as possible, preferably, none.

 

To contact Maday at Free Spirit Design, click here.