After retirement, a Monterey doctor returned to a hobby from childhood and became a crafter.

Christine Boulanger, a Monterey resident, is a retired OB-GYN doctor. She practiced first in Boston and then in Monterey County. When she scaled back to part-time, Boulanger had more time to sew and create jewelry. Once she retired, Boulanger turned her hobby into a new calling.

Boulanger learned how to sew at a young age, first making dolls’ clothes, then slowly moving to bigger projects such as clothing and quilts. Boulanger has now ventured into other crafts, including knitting, rugs and colorful quilted jean jackets. She sews in her garage while listening to music.

About three years ago, she took her jackets to a veterans’ flea market in San Juan Bautista. Since then, she has expanded to various craft markets in the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Valley, as well as Santa Cruz.

Besides making crafts, Boulanger volunteers for different organizations, including Sunset Center, SPCA Monterey County and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Weekly: You use a variety of fabrics. Is there one you prefer?

Boulanger: Cotton is always the best. Sometimes I use a silk and cotton blend. But most of the time, 100-percent cotton works the best. It’s not going to shrink and usually the colors stay.

The fabrics come from all over the place. Some of the fabrics, a friend sent me from Africa. Some are from England. Some of my favorites are from fabric stores around here and up in Santa Cruz. I just find little pieces everywhere. Some are from old clothing.

How do you decide what to make?

I pull out all the fabrics and I just look around and will grab whatever looks good together and line them up. And it depends on if the jacket is blue or white – that changes the colors that I choose. And then I start the process of cutting out little squares and little diamond shapes. It’s relaxing, just doing something with your hands that’s focused while you’re listening to music.

What do you listen to?

Rock. It’s just so dynamic. The Rolling Stones or The Beatles – you can turn it on kind of loud and it’s just a space out, enjoyable experience. And then, sewing something, you’re making something, too. The whole thing becomes a euphoric craft time.

What is your favorite part about sewing?

Ohh, what you get at the end. The end product.

I think of my mom standing over me with the sewing machine. When I was first learning, she didn’t want me to hurt myself. We always did our projects all over the house, in the dining room or sharing ideas about making dolls’ clothes, sharing ideas on what to sew next.

Have you kept any of those projects?

I have a pillowcase I made when I was 12. I think I have it in the garage. Very colorful.

My parents were so understanding, we made all these wild-colored pillowcases and they let us put them on the sofa in the living room and they were part of the decor. Nothing matched. I guess that’s how you know your parents love you. Anything you make for them, they keep it. They treasure it.

Have people ever approached you while wearing one of your quilted jackets?

It’s really funny. I can be walking down the street in Santa Cruz, someone will come up behind me and tap on my shoulder and say, “Where did you get that jacket?”

Have you done workshops?

I haven’t. That’s a good idea. I think it might extend my thought process or creative process.

Any other hobbies?

I love gardening. Gardening is a zen meditative experience for me and I don’t use any leaf blowers or anything noisy. I do the raking myself and I like California native plants.

I love jewelry. I felt like I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on buying jewelry, so I thought, “Well, I can make my own.” I wanted a lot of jewelry and it’s fun to make your own. It looks like what you’re dreaming about. I love cooking and I do a lot of volunteer work.

What do you like about volunteering?

Most of it is socializing and a feeling of giving back to your town. When Jane Goodall came to speak at the Sunset Center last year, I showed Clint Eastwood, Mr. Eastwood, to his seat.

Do you collect anything?

Yeah. Teacups. Little old lady things. Yay!