Marilyn Doheny

Quilting Products and Services

Recovering from a Fire

Recovering from a Fire

by | Sep 6, 2023 | Blog

Recovery from a Fire

In 2018, I experienced a devastating fire which destroyed my life’s work as an artist, author, teacher, art collector and chef. This fire, a 7 – alarm blaze lasted 21 days as my publishing inventory of books, patterns and specialty rulers continued to burn. I was left homeless with the clothes on my back.

The entire Historic Melrose Inn was my dream come true….it was a 25,000 square foot – 19-bedroom, 26-bathroom Quilting Center finally manifested.  It facilitated my Quilters Retreat Center in Tryon N.C.  This historic beauty is now only a memory with all my possessions. Over 1,000 quilts and all teaching supplies – up in flames.  A magnificent collection of art decorating the entire Melrose Inn including the 19 unique and individually themed bedrooms – each with their own private baths. There was NO insurance. I was unable to ensure the building or contents because the fire department told the assorted insurance agents. 1. They are volunteers and would never make it. 2. The structure was old and when firetrucks arrived (if there was a fire ), they would focus on keeping the buildings on either side safe.   Which is what (all) they did.

All of my published inventory was destroyed……financial ruin was immediate! I had 37 guests checking in the very next day, for the World Olympic Equestrian Games. They too were devastated. My ability to recover in any way was beyond my means financially, logistically, and emotionally. My published items included over 47 titles (10,000 – 30,000 of each title) in addition to my 7 specialty rulers. Which by the way are a petroleum product – BOY DO THEY BURN, fossil fuel!!!  No inventory to sell to recover and ultimately reinvest in replacement publications! With the assistance of my friend and bookkeeper, Bindu Johnson, we began to purchase (from around the world) 1 copy of each book and pattern I published, from private individuals.  They are my only source to re-print from. Someday I hope to have these amazing items back in print for quilters to enjoy.

The small inventory which remained in Seattle Washington has finally been arranged to be shipped to a private warehouse in Tryon N.C. It has been a long and challenging journey of recovery in every way imaginable.

What kept me going was – Guess What?  Soul searching as to finding value in my recovery & of course Quilting!!!  I borrowed a machine and worked with donated fabric. I moved 13 times inside of the first year and sewed 6-12 hours a day.  Finally, I am BACK! Have made some amazing quilts in the process and have regained dynamic enthusiasm for sharing my talents and skills via inspiring classes, lectures, and retreats. Please consider having me come to your guild or local quilt shops ,  I am ready!

The cost of petroleum – due to recent political situations – has massively escalated the cost to produce my quality 9 Degree Circle Wedge Rulers and my 45 Degree Wedge Ruler. They will be the first products to be “re-published/manufactured”. Please know this causes an extensive retail increase.

What I like to remind you of, when considering the purchase of my rulers…and their costs, is that I provide instructions for the use of the tools with the purchase.  The 9 Degree Circle Wedge Rulers each come with over 20 individual techniques and wedge designs on the instruction board PLUS 15 more for FREE online! Let’s do some math, 35 patterns and a ruler for 1 price……less than $1.00 -$ 1.50 a pattern and THE RULERS ARE FREE!!!!

Questions??? Please e-mail me directly and say, “Quilter – student question” in the subject line.

[email protected]    Phone  864 457-6584

A Personal Invitation from Marilyn

by | Aug 9, 2017 | Blog

Hello Dear Quilter,

We have selected the dates for 2018…and YOU are invited to join Marilyn to co-create an amazing week long OVER THE TOP –  Quilt Retreat in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina. Classes are limited to 6-8 students per week.   We still have 2 spaces available in the August 2017 Retreat!

I guarantee that you have never, experienced a Quilt Retreat so full of creative exploration, growth productivity and value!  Everything is included and taken care of! Lodging, meals, entertainment and Education!!!

Marilyn Doheny – Author, judge, instructor and inventor of the 9 Degree Circle Wedge Rulers…has selected her Quilt Retreat dates for 2018. All of which will feature her amazing 9 Degree Circles Wedge Rulers – all 5 sizes and over 26 diverse, unique, wedge designs.  Students will produce wedge designs for 3-4 days, then begin to utilize the wedges and fans arranging them into One OF A Kind – Stunning quilts.  Students can expect to design at least 3 entire projects.  Quilts, garments, home decor, as inspired.

Marilyn Doheny has authored over 47 Contemporary Quilting Books and invented 11 different tools for the quilting world. She has a passion to inspire and educate and has travelled around the world – inspiring and educating for 30 years.  She always wanted more time with each student exploring design variations. Hence, her 25-year dream of establishing a week long, Quilt Retreat Location with indulgent space for students live and sew in a beautiful, unique, stimulating, relaxed setting.  Her dream has been realized.

Please view Marilyn’s Historic Melrose Inn www.melrose-inn.com  to see the creative and beautiful environment you will immerse yourself in.

Accommodations, each student may have their own private bed and bath…decorated in a unique theme.  Sign up as soon as possible – to get your preferred room.  Marilyn has created 19 different room themes…some of which are:  Angles Abound, The Jungle, Egyptian, Birds and Nature, Golf, New York New York, Asian Influences and Country, to name a few.  If you would like to share a room with a friend, King Rooms are available as shared rooms.

All rooms and hallways feature quilts on display.  During your class week – you will view over 200 additional quilts and literally hundreds upon hundreds of “in progress” samples – be sure to bring a camera or camera/phone and charger!

Her retreats are 7 days of active, dynamic instruction and production! She invites every student to add 2 additional FREE days…. either prior to the week of class or following the week of productivity. Whichever suits your schedule and personality.

Each student has their own large table to cut and sew. The sewing area never closes. Amen!!!

Marilyn’s retreat is All-Inclusive, we will pick students up from the airport if necessary, loan the use of a top grade sewing machine if desired, the relaxed pleasure of having 3 gourmet meals daily.  NOTE: any allergies or food preferences accommodated, gladly. Chocolate, wine and beer, coffee, tea and snacks are available 24 hours a day – self-serve, as desired!

There will be 2-3 Filed Trips – during the week. One of which is to a local Quilt store!

There is a detailed fabric supply list provided with registration. In addition – students are given a Prep-Sewing guide, instructing to pre-sew several fabric units called strata = strips of assorted widths sewn together before arriving.
Thanks From a Student

Thanks From a Student

by | Mar 8, 2017 | Blog

Comments from a happy student:

Dear Marilyn, as I was going through my photos, I found pictures of the bargello quilt class during Quiltexpo 1994 in Karlsruhe. This Expo opened a whole new world for me! I enjoyed all classes I attended and was impressed by the energy you sent out to us! These experiences had a big impact in my life. I taught patchwork and quilting classes for 20 years, in 2005 I opened the first professional longarm quilting service in Austria. Now that I am retired I still make quilts. I want to thank you for the joy you brought into my life by teaching us a wonderful technique! I attached the photo of the finished quilt I started in the class in 1994.

Sincerely, Edda Katz

Using the 9 Degree Wedge Ruler

by | May 9, 2016 | Blog

How does a quilter use (1) 9 Degree Circle Wedge Ruler to make different sized fans…..different than the actual size of the ruler they own?

This is a great question and a fabulous desire! The answer is “very easily! First let me clarify about the 9 Degree Circle Wedge Rulers.

The 9 degree circle wedge rulers come in 5 sizes…they are all 9 degree rulers. They are simply shorter and or taller versions of the same angle. The individual sizes are 9″ miniature, 14″ miniature, 18″ miniature, 25″ Original, and The 37″ Extension Wedge (which used with the 25″ original ruler).

The size of the ruler is the size of the fan that it will make. Circles will be twice the fan size. For instance the 18″ ruler makes an 18” fan (in 20 different patterns) and also a 36″ circle.

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Inspiration

by | May 1, 2016 | Blog

They say that inspiration is like inhaling the memory of something you have never done. That saying feels so magical to me…I remember times of blissful inspiration where I forgot to make dinner, pick children up after ballet or swimming lessons..Forgot to eat or sleep while riding on waves of creativity exploration. I believe inspiration comes from seeing differently…simply letting the air and light into my world or my thinking — it makes a difference!

What stimulated this reflection and appreciation was cutting down my five Camellia bushes some time back which formed a hedge at one end of the huge front porch of my B&B Quilting Retreat Center. Don’t worry they were simply “significantly” cut back, not eliminated! However, I apply everything I experience in life as some aspect of my quilting. Removing the wall of Camellia branches from one end of the porch became a metaphor for removing a project from “the project wall,” in my sewing area and putting it away. I love my Camellias and I love this particular quilt – but a standstill had evolved for both. The bushes,  trees actually, had become ‘not-as-beautiful’ from inside on the porch where I spend my time, and the quilt had begun to dominate the sewing room every time I entered (or even thought of entering) to try and move on with a different project. Both the camellias and this particular, “in progress” quilt top needed to take up less space – give me space and a new view!
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