BIO

Mary Wood Tabar was born in Hannibal, Missouri where her mother was employed and trained by Singer Sewing Machine Company. Since the age of four she has been working with sewing machines. By six years of age she was doing crewel embroidery and other hand sewing projects. Raised with Midwest working ethics and family values, these qualities helped to foster appreciation, patience and a simple approach to life.

She graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, and a minor in Graphic Arts, and later received her Teaching Credential from California State University at San Marcos. She has had a variety of sewing experiences from making Madam Alexandra antique doll clothes in New York City to making Renaissance costumes in San Diego for people such as Mick Fleetwood. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters.

Currently she teaches classes at Palomar College and San Diego Community College in quilting, dyeing and fabric embellishment. She teaches kids' sewing camps at local sewing shops.

She has exhibited her work at San Diego Quilt Show 2003 – 2008, Poway Days 2004 - 2008.
El Camino Quilt Show 2005, first place in fabric challenge. Eccentric Dyeworks Traveling Challenge 2005. Hoffman Fabric Challenge 2005, 2006, 2007. Canyon Quilters Guild Fabric Challenge 2005, first place in most unique use of challenge fabric. Road to California 2006, 2007, 2008. AQS Quilt Show Paducah, 2006, 2007, 2008. AQS Quilt Show Nashville, 2006, 2007. Pacific International Quilt Show 2006, 2007. The quilt Defiance traveled with IQF My Culture, My Country to Lyon France. Her art quilts have traveled with Elements, 2007, 2008. Quilts On The Wall 2008. Summer Fun traveled with Creative Force 2007, SAQA. IQF 2008, Quilt Visions 2008 – 2009. Virtual Rose was published on the cover of AQS Art Calendar 2009. She is a quilt judge at Del Mar County Fair. And has had several published wall quilts.