A Quilter's Life

Erin Grogan was able to leave a job that she didn’t care for to start her own quilting businessLove Sew Modern.  Her goal with the patterns she designs is to create the beauty she wishes to see in the world and to help others find their creative voices too.  Erin has a unique style that everyone is falling in love with. Erin and I recorded this episode before QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh, NC, so we talked about attending.  But by the time this is released QuiltCon will have come and gone...

“I’m just an old fashioned lady.  Been around a long time.”  That’s how Elsie Coleman introduced herself to me.  I had the privilege of going to Elsie’s home to interview this centenarian and seeing her beautiful quilts.  She continues to make amazing quilts. Newspaper articles about Elsie in 1995 and 1999 Quilt that was raffled in 2012 and info on it Some of her quilts Quilt that her Aunt Ella made.  Elsie is pointing out the flower that was made from her childhood clothing...

Jen Frost of Faith and Fabric finds inspiration from the everyday things around us. Her faith is central to her family’s life, and is often reflected in her full Scripture Quilts™ patterns and the smaller Scripture Quilts™ blocks. She also values the skill of sewing, and thinks it’s one that we need to continue to teach each generation. If you’re new to sewing, Jen invites you to try out some of her beginner-friendly sewing projects. Here's a couple of Jen's quilts...

So many of the quilt shop owners I’ve talked to share that they don’t get to make the quilts themselves much anymore, but I am so impressed with Sheila Squires that she makes it a priority to take time to quilt.  She is very involved with the community and you’ll be amazed how many quilts these quilters in Seward, Alaska, are making! Connect with Sheila on Facebook: Sew 'n Bee Cozy Short video of Sew 'n Bee Cozy on A Quilter's Life YouTube Channel  

Andi Sanfield realized that her style of quilting and teaching can encourage others to express their creativity in a tangible way.  She decided to create fabulous designs with easy-to-follow patterns for the adventurous quilt makers in the world.  People are excited about the designs and eager to enroll in her online quilting classes. As I mentioned last week, Andi and Tori McElwain have come together to bring us another wonderful quilting podcast calledQuilting on the Side...

Back in May of 2021 I had the privilege of sharing Tori McElwain’s story.  Tori and Andi Stanfield have come together to bring us another wonderful quilting podcast called Quilting on the Side.  So I reached out to them to bring you these updates of what’s been happening in their lives since we last spoke, you’ll get to hear Andi’s next week. Tori has a passion for helping others develop their skills and knowledge...

With patience and using her God given talents, Audra Rasnake has created amazing quilts!  Her first show quilt came home with 16 ribbons…many of them were blue, a couple of them were for Best Hand Quilting, and it was her first of 3 AQS ribbons she has received over the years. Audra has a passion to share needle turn applique and hand quilting as she wants this incredible art form to have a revival. Thank you to Sheila Drevna for letting Audra know to contact me...

A millennial and serial entrepreneur with a million ideas floating around, Ashelyn Downs began her quilting journey while running yet another business and realized her love for design and married the two passions to bring more fun and modern quilts to the ever-expanding quilting world. Her mission is to create a community for other modern quilters to find the confidence and inspiration to make beautiful quilts that fit their lifestyle...

It’s been exciting to see the quilting community grow so much in the last few years.  Along with that we are seeing more quilting podcasts being made.  A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing Amanda Oros of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show.  And while chatting with her she told me about Lacie and Ashelyn of The Grateful Thread Podcast.  Of course, I’m thrilled to get to share these quilting podcasts with you...

Hard to believe that I’m publishing this episode of A Quilter’s Life on the first day of 2024.  I had a wonderful 2023 and I hope you did also.  Of course, one of the blessings I had over the past year was getting to visit with so many of you wonderful quilters.  And I’m heading into 2024 with great expectations of visiting with more of you...