Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 14, 2011

Why you should know him: Erick Wolfmeyer, 44, is a professional quilter living in Iowa City. The Quincy, Ill., native moved to Iowa City to expand his quilting practice after living out West  and has been here ever since. Wolfmeyer has made more than 70 quilts in his career, each of which takes about six months to create, he said. Wolfmeyer will be hosting a quilt design class at Home Ec. Workshop at noon July 23 and 24.

I got started in quilting when: I was living in California and my then-boyfriend and I went on vacation to see friends in Sisters, Ore. They have a huge outdoor quilt show there. We were there a week after it happened, but it was still in the atmosphere. Our friends just had a baby and I always liked quilts, so I bought my first pattern and (made a baby quilt). After I finished that, I just went crazy.

I sell my quilts: In Kalona at the annual Quilt Show & Sale and at a store in south Amana. But I’m happy to say that I’m doing more direct selling to people.

When I was little, I wanted to be _______ when I grew up: I initially wanted to be an architect. I always say I am a frustrated architect; I have this urge to put things together.

My favorite quilt I’ve ever made is: That’s like asking if I have a favorite child.

I’m inspired by: Almost everything. I’ll take drives and look at old buildings and the rust patterns. Architecture, literature, music, current events lately. I feel like a vessel.

Something I never want to do again is: Touch a snake. There’s no need to, but I was forced to as a kid (and hated it).

Something I’ve always wanted to do is: Go to Europe.

If I weren’t quilting, I’d be: Having a fabulous social life. Quilting is a very solitary thing.

Words I live by: You don’t have to suffer to make art, but making art is worth suffering for.