What was it like to be featured in QuiltFolk Issue 35: Virginia?

The magazines behind me are all QuiltFolk magazines. I’ve been reading their magazines for over four years and had dreamed of being in it someday. It’s an honor to be included in an issue alongside so many talented quilters who have made an impact in the industry.

What will someone learn from your upcoming workshops at the Guild?

For Friday’s “Chaos Coordinator” and Sunday’s “More Curves Fun,” I’ll show you three different ways to sew curves. Most people were taught one way to sew a curve and they struggle with it. I felt the same way and had the same experience. You’ll master sewing the curve and leave excited and able to apply what you learn to any curve pattern.

You are on point in the fashion world by teaching your “Wearable Art” workshop. How did you come up with the idea?

Back in the 1970s, adorning and decorating your clothes to make them yours was popular. I love that everyone makes something different, and you build ideas together.

Who inspired you to quilt?

I grew up making garments. My grandmother was a seamstress in Boston. We would sew my school clothes together. When I became a mother, I wanted to have the same experience with my daughter. Garment fabric was hard to find so whenever I went anywhere, I would type “fabric” into my GPS and see where it’d take me. One day, I went into a modern quilt shop, and I instantly was in love.

I have been an artist from childhood. I would spend my lunch hours in the art room, not in the cafeteria. In college, my counselor persuaded me to change my major from graphic design to communication. One of his reasons was I would have to work twice as hard to make it as a woman. I was intimidated out of the arts and always regretted that. When I started sewing quilts, I felt like I rediscovered my creative self.

How do you best describe your quilting style?

I like to call it 60s/70s Nostalgic. My mother grew up in the 1970s. She was my best friend growing up. I had a record player and would listen to her vinyl. She would also take me and my brother antiquing. She would collect 100-year-old tea sets and I’d search for the retro items. I have always been drawn to that period because I gravitate to the colors, patterns, and prints. They are creative and bold! My generation embraces the greys and muted tones. They just aren’t me.

Do you try to create pieces each year for a judged or juried quilt show?  

I haven’t been accepted into a juried or judged show…yet! Although I am excited that people have used my patterns and won ribbons in a juried show. I have won a first-place ribbon for a quilt that I designed and made for a fabric challenge at an 80-person quilt retreat.

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

I think we will see fewer large prints, and we will see more blenders or small motif prints dominating space.

How has social media influenced your position in the quilting/fabric art world?

It was how I got my first exposure in the quilting industry. I’ve found a community where quilters can learn from each other. I think it will also affect how we date quilts. We used to be able to look at a quilt’s pattern and fabrics and you would know the era and location where it was created. This is no longer true.

How can students reach out to you after class if they have any questions?

I am happy to answer emails at hello@LoveSewModern.com or I invite quilters to connect with me on Instagram at @LoveSewModern.

What are your sources of creative inspiration?
I go to thrift stores. I especially like retro housewares for inspiration of patterns and colors.

Do you have a can’t-live-without-it notion in your sewing box?
I love my 28mm rotary cutter. I feel it gives you more control and is easier to cut around curves with. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I rarely use by 45mm rotary cutter anymore.

Visit our Workshops page to register for Friday September 19th, or Sunday  September 21st workshops.

Sorry, Saturday’s workshop, “Wearable Art” is already sold out.