M: What will someone learn from your workshops at our quilt Guild?

M: Who inspired you to quilt?

R: I think my most influential teacher was Carol Taylor. I studied her work for months and then finally went to a workshop with her. She was the one who taught me the value of couching as a surface design element. She also used organza in such interesting ways. I was totally inspired by her.

M: How do best describe your quilting style/instructor style?

R: I come up with an idea and do whatever it takes to bring it to fruition. Sometimes my methods are pretty unconventional. As a teacher, I consider myself to be more of a coach. I want to know your ideas and would like to help you find ways to achieve your goals. I do not normally teach with patterns. I want you to dismiss the perfectionist voice in your head and I want you to be brave in trying out new methods. Art quilting is a process of running into obstacles, then figuring out how to change direction to make it work. I want your creativity to show through in your work.

M: Do you personally try to create pieces each year that you can enter into juried quilt shows or does that not influence your process? 

R: I try to make one or two pieces each year to enter into various shows. Most of my time, however, is spent creating work to sell. I have followers who like to purchase my work and are enthusiastic about the same things that bring me joy: beauty in nature, my beloved city of Philadelphia and color color color!

M: Where do you see the fabric art and quilt industry five years from now?

R: I am no predictor of the future, but I know I am planning to still be going strong creating art quilts. I know many people share my passion for creating textiles. Working with my hands keeps me grounded through difficult times. It takes me to a place where time stops and I am just in the moment. There is nothing better!

M: Agreed. How has social media influenced your position in the quilting/fabric art world?

R: Social media has been huge for helping me find my way to becoming an artist. I’ve discovered other art quilters who I follow and study. Not only that, it has totally allowed me to have a career teaching and selling my work. I find it takes a lot of time to do it well so now I have hired someone to do most of it for me. It frees up precious time for me to be able to create in my studio.

M: What are your sources of creative inspiration?

R: I like to take walks in various neighborhoods in my city. There is so much interesting architecture. My husband used to ride his bike in the early morning hours along the river and he would text me beautiful pictures. I also study the works of various photographers and painters to see how they use light, shadow and colors to make their works sing.

M: I can see where living in Philadelphia would be a wonderful source of inspiration, especially architecturally. What’s on your design wall right now?

R: I have a quilt named “Rhythm and Flow” on my design wall. I recently learned it was accepted into Art Quilt Elements 2026 which will open March 29 in at Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA.

M: That sounds exciting! Congrats!! Do you have a can’t-live-without-it notion in your sewing box?

R: It is not a sewing notion but an art essential: markers! I use so many different colors and kinds of markers when creating my landscape quilts. To be honest, this extends well into various mediums like paint, Inktense pencils, Tsukineko inks, etc. You have to create shadows and highlights to make things work and these do the trick. Please note, I never wash my quilts so please don’t panic when you read this.

M: We aren’t panicking but I’m sure our members will want to know how you clean your quilts during your upcoming lecture, Keep it Simple/Pack a Punch. How can students reach out to you after class if they have any questions?

R: You may reach me at rachelderstine@artfulquiltingandsewing.com