Freeland quilter makes television premiere on KBTC

Imagine getting a phone call telling you that you’re being broadcast around the Puget Sound. That’s what happened last Saturday morning to Freeland quilter M’Liss Rae Hawley after the television series “M’Liss’s World of Quilts” premiered on KBTC Seattle.

It wasn’t too much of a surprise for Hawley, after all. The show had already premiered on public broadcasting stations across the nation. But when Oak Harbor resident Susie Kincy called Hawley and told her to flip to the channel, Hawley couldn’t believe her eyes.

“It was completely amazing to see all the hard work finally up on the screen,” Hawley said. “The series has shown in its entirety in some parts of the nation, but to see it locally was exciting.”

Hawley caught the entire episode this morning as the series continues its 8:30 a.m. Saturday broadcasts.

TV show aside, Hawley is already a regular contributor to McCall’s magazine, is an accomplished and internationally sought-after quilting teacher, lecturer, textile designer, and is the best-selling author of four fat quarter quilting books — with another soon to be released and a sixth in the works. She is also a national spokesperson for Husqvarna Viking and Robison-Anton Textile Company, which along with In the Beginning Fabric company of Seattle, are also sponsors of her show.

The first season’s 13 half-hour episodes of “M’Liss’s World of Quilts” were filmed this summer on location around the Puget Sound region, at locales around the world, and at Hawley’s garden-surrounded home in Freeland. A supporting cast of family, friends and quilters from around the world acted as supporting cast and crew.

“Her energy level came through,” said Kincy of the premiere episode.

The first show featured instruction on a “fast and fun” New Year quilt that mixed stars with four-patch designs in bright colors.

In addition to the quilting instruction, Hawley introduced many of her ongoing feature segments of the show. Audiences learned of her travel log, in which she’ll take them to places like the American Textile Museum in New England. During the “Pet Peeves” segment, she will be joined by different pets as she talks about exasperations faced in quilting. She also takes viewers “behind the curtain” to dispel quilting myths.

Hawley already has a fan base for the show in the form of quilters who have taken her classes, read her books, used her fabrics, and her “quilting angels” who helped assemble pieces for the show.

“Seeing her on TV will really open people’s eyes,” said Peggy Johnson of Langley. “It’s not just quilting, she’s teaching people they can do lots of other projects too.”

Hawley’s quilting style, ranging from elegant and formal to funky and fun, will be a breath of fresh air for regular viewers of quilting shows, according to Kincy.

“She brings imagination and creativity not seen in quilting shows,” said Anastasia Rearden of Langley. “This isn’t just about quilting, she brings aspects of the whole world.”

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.