An Interview with Gloria Hansen - February 2008

by Penny McMorris

We interviewed our newest EQ author, Gloria Hansen, to find out how she became the quilt world digital guru. Gloria's upcoming book, "Digital Essentials: A Quilt Makers Must-Have Guide to Working with Files, Images, and More" chock full of info any quilter with a computer needs to know, comes out from EQ later this year.

I'm guessing you were what they call an "early adapter" -- someone who's early to try out new technology. When and how did you first start using a computer?

My first exposure to a computer was a key punch model in the early 1980s. From then, I worked on a computer with huge, round disks that stored information. I picked up on working on them very quickly and ended up teaching others how to use those machines. In the mid-1980s, I bought, I believe, a Commodore and taught myself some BASIC. That was the time of Pong and other video games.

Eventually, when working in a law firm, I began working on a new, expensive system. Eventually those machines evolved into DOS-based computers with Word Perfect. We had some other programs installed, like Harvard Graphics. In 1990, I created the first of two commercial quilt patterns in which I used Harvard Graphics to create the line drawings and Word Perfect to create the two-column layout. I did this using the computer, working after hours. While I didn't know how to put the images from Harvard Graphics into the Word Perfect document, I did leave space within the document for the artwork. I cut out the graphics, rubber-cemented them into place, and had the patterns professionally offset printed. I also had the color covers professionally offset printed. Those were darn nice patterns, especially for that time.

I attended computer fairs when I found them. I found a program called Deneba Canvas, and it looked like something that would be perfect for designing quilts. It looked like a type of electronic graph paper. (At that time, I designed quilts by using graph paper, a Xerox machine, and a lot of cutting and taping.) I realized I could create design elements that I could duplicate, flip, rotate, distort, and so on, without the need for a Xerox machine. It did things without color, but that was fine with me since I used pencils anyway.

Spending money on that program was a big deal to me, especially since I didn't have a computer to use it on. From pestering the people at a local Apple store, I eventually got permission to install the program on a Mac and taught myself how to use that program. Eventually I saved enough to get my own computer.

After getting the computer, the next thing I did was take it into the basement and open it up on my husband's pool table. Yes, I voided the warranty, but it was exciting. I also joined a Macintosh Users Group at Princeton University. I was sort of an anomaly at those meetings -- a woman in her early 20s strutting in with high heels and standing in line to get the latest shareware!

You were a member of the GEnie online group? Talk a bit about that.

Around 1990 I began using various online bulletin board services on my new home computer, and I learned of GEnie. GEnie was an online service created by General Electric, and it's an acronym for General Electric Network for Information Exchange. It was a text-based community (no graphics, no color) with areas of interest for nearly everything one could think of -- including quilt making. The quilt group on GEnie was appropriately named the GEnie Online Quilters, and we were an extremely active group with probably well over 100 topics specifically for quilt makers.

Through GEnie, I met an incredible range of quilt makers. We exchanged knowledge, fabrics, blocks, support, stories, and friendship. We met in person at various quilting events. While there were many PC users in the group, there were also some Macintosh users, with me being one of them. Computer design was what prompted me to purchase a computer to begin with, so topics on using software for quilt design were natural. I shared tips on how I used MacDraw, SuperPaint, and Deneba Canvas, and I also tried whatever software I could get my hands onto that might assist with design and shared that information too. While I had Photoshop, because it was a bitmap program, I didn't use it back then the way I do today.

Back then there were very few programs specifically for quilt making. When EQ was launched, the GEnie Online Quilters immediately began topics on using it. Our group was among the first EQ users for obvious reasons -- it was a computer program designed for quilt makers and we were quilt makers with computers. When EQ came out, it was a DOS version. Since I had access to DOS-based computers at work, I purchased, installed, and went through it. With EQ being nothing like the power-house quilt design program that it evolved into, I continued to advocate using a drawing program for quilt design. Then EQ launched a Windows version of the program, and discussions on how to use the program continued. I suspect our very vocal group may have actually helped the early EQ evolve into exactly what computer-using quilt makers were looking for.

It was through GEnie that I met Judy Heim. Judy was a PC user who was looking for a Macintosh user who knew how to quilt, to help her with a book she was writing for crafters using computers. Because of my passion for both quilt making and computers, I ended up writing sections of that book. Next, when I showed Judy piles of designs I did using various programs, we decided to co-write "The Quilter's Computer Companion" in 1996. We did the entire (almost 400 page) book via email text attachments, with me working from New Jersey and Judy from Wisconsin. We only met in person when filming a Simply Quilts episode. The book included tutorials on using an assortment of computer programs for quilt design, the how-to's of printing on fabric (we created a recipe that made dye-based ink water resistant before Bubble Jet Set was on the market), information on using scanners, a quilter's yellow pages, and much more. The book was published in 1997 by No Starch Press and was certainly ahead of its time.

As the graphical interface for the Web was gaining popularity, people using bulletin board services were declining. Judy and I decided to write guidebooks on how to use the Internet and find the best Web sites for quilt makers. We wrote "Free Stuff on the Internet for Quilters," published by C&T Publishing, in late 1999. The book's popularity resulted in more titles for sewers, crafters, gardeners, and others. I continued teaching myself as much as I could about computer-related topics, taking classes whenever I could find them. Eventually, Judy and I went on different paths.

I know you as a quilt maker and a digital photographer, but your daytime job is being a partner in your own award-winning Web business, with your business partner Derry, who works from the U.K. When and how did you two form the business?

I should add that quilt making, computer-aided design, and writing books was done in the evenings and weekends. I worked full time managing a law firm (which I converted to a Mac-based law firm). As I continued watching the Web grow, I knew I wanted to change my career. In school I had studied graphic arts and photography, and, while very good at my day job, I knew it wasn't where I wanted to be. I wanted to use my computer to be a full time designer. I wanted to be involved in creating websites. I wanted to take the various things I enjoyed so much -- the quilt making, creating web sites, design, writing, and even photography -- and merge it into something bigger. The timing was right, and I had a small window of time to make it happen. I had saved money and had enough income from book royalties to take the leap. However, I had no idea how I was going to change my career.

I am not one to read the want ads. However, while waiting for a friend to meet me for lunch one day, I picked up a newspaper and began flipping through it, killing time. An ad for part time, temporary work caught my eye. The organization was looking for someone to create their website and to teach staff how to update it. The organization used the program GoLive, which I was very familiar with. I called, and was interviewed and hired on the spot. The organization was The Parkinson Alliance. It was when building their site that I had some questions about back-up scripts. Because of being active in many online groups, including for website building, I posted questions. One person politely answered my questions, and eventually I started emailing him directly. That person was Derry Thompson. He was always direct and professional, answering me until I "got it." I had no idea at that time that the person lived in England, although I did think it odd that his emails were signed with a "cheers."

While the work for the Alliance was supposed to be temporary, I had a blend of skills that was useful to them. They needed a photographer for an event, I was hired; they needed someone to help design a newsletter, me again; they needed someone to help write appeal letters for donations, ditto. One project continued into another.

I happened to mention using a Macintosh to my email acquaintance, Derry. I learned he had one of the first Apple stores in the UK. I chuckled, knowing I'd never meet this person nor would I ever get to England. Then he told me he goes to MacWorld. I told him I go to MacWorld.

I should note that my husband, a happy Harley rider, has no interest in computers. He encouraged me to go to MacWorld and meet the person who was helping me. He laughingly teased me saying he (Derry) could listen to me go on about computer-related things so that he (my husband) didn't have to listen to it! Derry and I decided to meet at the next MacWorld in NYC, which was July 2001. However, I didn't get the message on where to meet. Realizing the place was too large, and that I had no idea what Derry looked like, chances were that we weren't going to meet after all. Yet, as fate would have it, I had my head off looking at things and walked right into someone. My eyes looked at the badge, and I saw his name. I immediately introduced myself. We immediately hit it off. He introduced me to his friends, several who were contacts at Adobe Corporation. We ended up hanging out together for the rest of the show.

Eventually the president of The Parkinson Alliance, Margaret, an amazing woman who also has Parkinson's, came up with an idea for a site to monitor a particular type of brain surgery. Her idea was an extensive questionnaire designed to gather information about individuals who had the surgery. She wanted participants to answer a different set of questions every six months for a period of three years. She wanted the site to appear high up on the list when someone searched on Parkinson's. Immediately I knew I was not the person for that job. I explained that such a site would require all types of things beyond my skills. She simply and very confidently said I'd figure it out. I was in a near panic driving home with absolutely no idea of how I'd get this done.

In email, I told Derry about the project. He replied saying that he worked in a new media company and specialized in web-based database design and development. He did the programming of sites for very large companies and devised back-end systems for them that allowed the personnel of those companies to maintain the site without knowing any HTML. I realized that what Margaret was looking for was exactly the type of work he did. I was stunned. I learned he did something called search engine optimization work, meaning he not only coded sites so they were search-engine friendly, but monitored stats and made adjustments to the code as necessary. He taught coding to others and was always writing scripts to help someone out with one issue or another. He had quite a reputation for his skills, and authors needing "tech help" often sought him out.

Derry flew to the States to meet with the Parkinson's organization people, and we were hired for the extensive project. I asked many questions and gathered various information about the types of limitations and frustrations someone with Parkinson's may encounter when working online, and so on. Derry and I then brainstormed, and developed ways to make things as user-friendly and accessible as possible. I created the look of the site, the navigation, and such. Derry built the site and the back-end database system.

Meanwhile the new media company where Derry was working had been taken over and was having various problems. Derry was considering going off on his own. Being that the survey project would be going on for an extended period, and being that I was lending my design skills to some projects he was involved with, we decided to form a partnership -- it was November 2001.

The Parkinson's site was very successful; featured in various places, including on Adobe.com, as a prime example of a handicap-accessible site. It resulted in more work, and in additional recognition.

We were continually hearing the high fees people were paying for website updates and how long such updates were often taking. I wondered if we could devise a system that would allow people to maintain their own site. While this is what Derry was designing at his prior job, they were huge, very involved projects that were extremely expensive. We discussed if we could create something powerful yet affordable.

We began offering professionally coded, search-engine optimized sites that included a content management system. We continue to do this, have won a couple prestigious awards for it, and our business has grown to where we have three full time employees and often take on interns during the summer. Our quilt-related clients include notable quilt authors, teachers, and artists; organizations such as the Surface Design Association and the International Quilt Association; a variety of quilt stores, magazines, and quilt-related companies. Additionally, we have completed sites for other artists, a range of small businesses, non-profits, television producers, and very large corporations.

You write on the "technology beat" for several quilting publications. Your newest book, to be published this fall by The Electric Quilt Company, is called Digital Essentials: The Quilt Maker's Must-Have Guide to Images, Files,and More. This is going to be such a helpful guide to anyone who works with computer files and images of their quilts, as we all seem to be doing now. Why did you feel quilt makers needed this information? Are you setting out to answer all the questions you're most commonly asked?

Digital Essentials I continually get email from individuals looking for clarifications on various issues, such as how to resize an image for a quilt show entry or why images aren't printing properly. I see people getting certain terminology mixed up which just adds to more confusion. Many well-meaning people perpetuate information that is simply incorrect, and I sometimes read such information in quilt-related publications. Part of the problem is that there is not a guidebook specific to issues that quilt makers may run into. The information is out there, it's just buried in a variety of publications and in such a way that makes it a project to find something understandable and correct. The average quilt maker doesn't want to make a project out of this. They simply want accurate information that is quickly accessible. My hope is that this book provides those answers.

2008 is stacking up to be a banner year for you! In addition to Digital Essentials coming out, you're having a one woman museum show -- something most quilters dream about. Give us the what, when and where on that.

I am extremely humbled and very happy to share that I was contacted by the curator of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles for a show. I nearly fell off of my chair. ME? Of course I was interested! The solo show, to be called "Advanced Geometry," will display about 10 quilts, from April 1 -- June 6, 2008. I asked how they found me. They first saw my name and an image of my work in a book and then searched for me on the Web.


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