Ten years ago I “retired” from my day job into a business making one-of-a-kind quilts. I opened a small studio out of my heritage home near a coastal tourist destination in Nova Scotia, Canada. A year or two later, I developed a web presence which has given me world wide exposure and placed me in a position where I have more than enough commissions to keep me busy year round.
Having always had an interest in the needle arts, I have knit, sewn, and done fine embroidery since I was a child, but came late to quiltmaking despite the fact that my mother was a quiltmaker all her life and designed some remarkable applique quilts. I did, however, come to quiltmaking having long ago learned all the basic skills I would need.
In my late 60’s now, I am grateful that I developed my skills at a time when many women in my part of North America were still doing things the old way and as a matter of course – there were no formal classes, you just picked it up from your mother and her friends. In fact in my own area right now I could easily name several dozen women, both younger and older than myself, who are quite capable of making a quilt, and have done so. Another handful are as fanatical as I am – lol. We all learned and are learning in the same way – I don’t know anyone who has taken a class. Wrong – I have a quiltmaking friend who just bought the Bernina model with all the bells and whistles – she is exploring its capabilities though a series of lessons at the dealer.
I have won awards for designing and completing quilts for quilt challenges and have just been asked to speak on the history of Quiltmaking in Atlantic Canada at a Quilt and Textile Arts Festival. Part of my output is geared toward future quilt challenges on a local and international level, and I will be submitting several entries to upcoming competitions.
In addition I have a deep interest in traditional 19th century quilts and collect vintage quilt tops and kits. I co-convene with another local quilting fanatic (my next-door neighbour Grace) our small community’s annual quilt show and sale – Quilts at the Harbour, is coming up for it’s ninth year this September.
Come along on this quilting journey with me – I promise you’ll find much that will be new to your way of looking at quilting and that your creativity will be stretched and challenged – remember that your satisfaction is guaranteed and you can cancel for a complete refund during the first 30 days.
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