About Us
The Staff
We recently had an opportunity to take a staff picture in front of Marti's Silver Star Friendship Quilt. From left to right: Super-sewer Harriett, customer service rep Kathy, Richard and Marti, graphic designer Patti, customer service rep Helga, and Sherry, who is our bookkeeper. Marti's terrific secretary, Anne, was absent the day the photo was taken.
The quilt, which was a surprise given to Marti at the 2004 Silver Star awards banquet, features blocks and signatures by Marti's friends and family, including many "famous" quilters that Marti has known throughout her career. Click here to see a photo of the whole quilt and read the secret of its making.
The Story Behind From Marti Michell
Her
Story
Marta G. Michell
was born and raised on a farm near Des Moines, Iowa. Known then
as Martha Glenn, she was taught to sew by her mother and it quickly
became a favorite pastime. Buoyed by her 4-H training and awards,
she decided to major in Textiles and Clothing and Home Ec Journalism
at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, that is the one in Ames,
she became known as Marti Glenn. (You can learn more about what
Marti's been up to in her quilt
journal.)
Their
Story
Richard
Michell was raised in a western Chicago suburb and chose Iowa State
for his college career. Dick and Marti were married during the Christmas
break of their senior year. Richard's first job after graduation
took the young couple to Wisconsin for a six-month training course
and then to Wichita, KS. In Wichita, Marti was a Home Economist
for The Dairy Council, and she and Dick became parents when their
son Jeffrey was born. A few years later, a job transfer took the
Michell family to Ohio and the family expanded with the birth of
daughter Stacy. Marti did some part-time teaching and lots of volunteer
work during their five-year stay in the Cleveland area.
Another transfer caused the Michell family to move to Atlanta, GA, in 1969. With both children in school, Marti decided to start a small sewing school. At the same time, she had been doing some patchwork projects and had become curious about quilting. While her sewing school classes were supposed to teach dressmaking skills, it wasn't long before the students insisted on patchwork and quilting classes.
Doing more patchwork led to doing some craft shows and a small craft shop with several friends. It didn't take long to discover that people were not prepared to pay much for hand quilting. However, they were curious about how "to do" patchwork and wanted to know where to get fabric and patterns. At that particular time, polyester double knits were the rage and it was very hard to find 100% cotton fabrics.
Soon, Dick, Marti and the kids began to cut and package kits to sell at the craft shop. The next year, 1972, they decided to offer the kits to other stores, and the company Yours Truly, Inc. was born.
Coming
Soon
The Yours Truly Years, 1972–1985...
The Freelance Design Years, 1985–1995...
The From Marti Michell years, 1995 to present
Special Offers About Us Marti's Lectures & Workshops Marti's Calendar Marti's Notebook Marti's Quilt Journal Marti's Blog Stolen Quilts Videos to Watch
Our products are made in America
From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates, Rulers & Books
© 1996–2012 Martha G. Michell. All rights reserved.
NOTE: Most of the instructional information and artwork shown is excerpted from my books. Like other published material, it is protected by copyright law, but you have my permission to print and download these materials for your own non-commercial use.