Episode 121 - Thadine Wormly - Making history tangible through fabric with faith, family and cultural experiences
Thadine spent 16 years working in New York’s fur market, mastering patternmaking with fur, leather, and cloth, before immersing herself in the quilting community. Through chance encounters, guild memberships, and world travels, quilting became her lifelong passion and outlet for creative expression. Today, her work continues to be inspired by her faith, her family, and her rich cultural experiences.
Episode notes: Our guest today is Thadine Wormly, quilter, artist, proud mother of 4! Originally from Brooklyn, she moved to Flushing Queens in the 1970’s. As a young girl she loved making doll clothes…and learning from her mother how to crochet and knit. Following a move to Miami, FL Thadine took Home Ec in Junior High which allowed her to continue her love of working with fabric. A graduate of the Barbizon Modeling School, she modeled in numerous shows often designing and making her outfits.
While working in the fur market in New York City for 16 years, she learned and became adept at patternmaking for fur, leather and cloth.
During all of this, she always had an interest in quilts. Through a chance meeting at The Women of Color exhibit…she became hooked and has since found great joy in sourcing just the right fabric for each project.
Thadine is a member of numerous quilt guilds and the founder of a few as well. Most importantly…she is a proud mom of four amazing children
(2:00) Who taught Thadine to sew? She shares stories of her childhood and how her sewing adventures began.
(3:30) After her parents divorced, Thadine was sent to Miami – she was 12 years old. Her Junior High Home Economics class what an important anchor for her in this tumultuous time. Hear this story.
(6:05) Thadine attended the Barbizon Modeling school. She tells us about the school, their curriculum and how it affected her life.
(7:30) What were her memorable experiences while at Barbizon?
(8:45) During a special fashion show she met Muhammad Ali, George Frazier and the Staples Singers.
(9:23) Thadine spent 16 years working in the New York fur market. How did this begin for her and what was it like? Then, she goes on to share more of her story and how she got involved in sewing guilds and how quilting became such a large part of her life.
(10:42) Quilting has taken Thadine on travels all over the world. What were some of her favorite places to visit and what are a few of her favorite stories about these adventures?
(31:40) Let’s learn more about Thadine as she talks about being ordained an Evangelist and how her faith influences her work.
(38:26) What’s Thadine working on now?
(38:50) Where can you find Thadine’s work?
(39:45) What’s next for Thadine and what’s her dream?
(40:27) What didn’t we ask that Thadine wants to talk about? Well, she talks about the Gees Bend Quilters and her experiences working with them…and arranged marriages in Tangiers.
(44:26) You can reach out to Thadine on Instagram @thadinewormly
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