1.  How did you get started in quilting?

My mom taught me how to sew when I was young, around age 7. I started by making Barbie clothes and then took a class at the old House of Fabrics in Chico, making palazzo pants, a drawstring bag, and more. I quickly learned to love to sew and was actually quite good at it. My mom continued to teach me more along the way. As I got older, I made many elaborate costumes, skirts and dresses, bags, etc. In my early 20’s, I got the itch to try quilting. In the beginning, I was intimidated. But, thanks to several ladies in the Chico quilting community, I was strongly encouraged. I learned a few beginner tips and quickly fell in love with quilting!


2.  What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?

My seam ripper! I still make mistakes. Just recently, I was making a quilt for my niece and I kept sewing the wrong edge of two squares together. I kept trying to avoid the mistake. But, the pattern was challenging and I had to use my seam ripper quite bit.

3.  If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.

The blue baby quilt I made for my son has the binding attached incorrectly. I was quite rusty. Having a toddler and a baby, I didn’t get much quilting done for several years. His baby quilt was one of the first ones I made after having kids and I apparently forgot how to attach the binding, lol. Baby brain is real! I still have some stitching repairs to make on his quilt, too.

4.  If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?

Definitely not possible to choose just one. But, my top three so far are the eagle panel that I made for my brother (I just love the colors), the bird quilt I made for my mom, and the engagement quilt I made for my husband and myself.

5.  What do you do with your quilts?

I make a lot of gift quilts. But, the ones that have been kept at home are used a lot. My brother’s family loved their quilt so much that they have it hung up. They also use their Christmas quilt all the time. I have occasionally made quilts for fundraising auctions and I have recently started making quilts intended for sale.

6.  Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.

I have one quilt that I received as a gift from my aunt. She is an incredibly gifted seamstress. I was quite honored by her gift because it was the first quilt she ever made. She said she was inspired by my venture with making quilts and she wanted to give it a try. It is beautiful and is used quite a bit in the winter.

7.  What type of quilting do you most enjoy?

I would say I probably lean towards traditional quilts. But, I also like to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. 

8.  We would love to include some personal details about you (anything you’d like to share) such as your profession, interests outside of quilting, future plans, etc.

I am a second generation, born and raised, Chicoan. I am married and have two young kids, 5 and 7, and my full-time job is a director in IT. Quilting and sewing are some of the hobbies I try to fit into my spare time, along with reading (I am part of a book club), exercise, and occasionally traveling. My future plans include making many quilts, of course, taking many trips to Montana to visit my brother, enjoying more cruises, and there will probably be a trip to Disneyland somewhere in the not too distant future, lol.