I (mostly) create quilts for people I love
How I got into quilting: Despite coming from a quilting family (one grandma and two great-grandmas), I didn’t pick up quilting until my mid-30s. My first quilt was made as a wedding gift for my friend. I didn’t do any research or look at a single pattern and instead went on vibes, resulting in a hilariously small quilt (sorry Haley! I’ll make you a proper-sized one soon). I love making quilts for all occasions: babies, weddings, grieving, starting over, moving, birthdays, just because.
Why I make quilts: I really enjoy being able to make an item that’s both creative and useful. It’s a practical item that can also be comforting and meaningful. I received a quilt from my great-grandma Weager when I was a newborn and it was one of my most prized possessions. I love welcoming babies into the world with quilts and it’s just as special to gift them to the adults in my life (perhaps even more so, because a blanket is not a common gift to receive as an adult).
My quilting method & inspiration: I started out trying different styles of quilts. I’d see a style or pattern and figure out how to make it. After some experimenting, I realised that simpler styles were the most fun and I switched to using 5” squares for all my designs. I pre-cut all my fabric which makes laying out a quilt top a quick and intuitive process. I use hand-tied quilting (also known as tufting or comforter quilts) which is a direct inspiration from my great-grandma Rudy; I grew up using a modified log cabin quilt she made and hand-tied.
My quilt designs take a nod from my florist past. My seven years as a florist gave me a solid foundation in colour theory, and when arranging flowers the focus is generally on colour and texture, utilizing the materials that are on hand. Quilting feels similar - I create based on what’s in my stash and my designs are about showcasing colour and bold shapes.
I use a lot of thrifted materials in my quilting. I’m moving away from buying new fabrics for quilt tops and have been using thrifted sheets for backing, either as-is or after ice dyeing.
What happens with the quilts I make: Most are gifts for people I know. Some are donated to Quilts for Survivors and the BC Children’s Hospital.
Do I accept commissions: Yes! The commission must be within my style, as I don’t do things like t-shirt quilts or complicated designs.
