Marie Bostwick

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Marie Bostwick answers readers' questions about her small-town upbringing, learning to quilt, and the future of the Cobbled Court series.

Mary from Irondequoit, NY: When and where did you learn to quilt?

Marie Bostwick: I started sewing when I was a little girl, maybe six or seven years old. My sisters and I would cut out rectangles, stitch the edges, and then sew straps on the four corners to make halter tops. Later, I went on to make more complicated clothing, but it wasn't until I was married that I learned to quilt. I don't remember the exact year, but my boys were still in diapers so it was at least 23 years ago. I took a hand quilting class at a local fabric store and made a three-block table runner. It wasn't very good, and at that point I wasn't wild about quilting. I think I was just too busy with little ones to be able to enjoy it. However, I took another hand quilting class about 15 years ago and made a sampler. That's when I really fell in love with quilting.

Pamela from Sweethome, OR: After reading A SINGLE THREAD I wonder if you grew up in a small town?

Marie Bostwick: Well, I was actually born in Eugene, Oregon, so I didn't grow up in a town as small as Sweethome --- but Eugene isn't exactly New York or Chicago. We had a few acres on the edge of town with horses and chickens and gardens, and I spent a fair amount of time at our relatives’ apple orchards in Selah, Washington, so I've always been more of a country girl at heart. I like to visit cities, but I wouldn't want to live there. Right now, I live in a very small town in New England, a place very similar to New Bern.

Linda from St. Paul, MN : At the end of the book, you indicated you were interested in continuing this series. Sounds good to me.

Marie Bostwick: Thanks for your encouraging words. The second Cobbled Court novel, A THREAD OF TRUTH, will be out in June. Right now, I'm working on a third book about New Bern and loving every minute. I've really fallen in love with these characters. So glad to hear you feel the same way.