N+K's wedding quilt is almost ready for quilting now that I've finished the piecing. Its a shifty, hard to sew, wonky son-of-a-something, but I love it and its just right for N+K. The piecing as photographed will cover the top of a queen sized bed, and I plan to add some kind of neutral border as the "drops" and "tuck" at the pillows. This will give me plenty of space for some wild free-form hand quilting on the borders.

Don't forget to stop by Art in the Age in Philadelphia TOMORROW for the opening reception of my show Handwork— Friday, Feb 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It's Nice That posted a nice little write-up about the show and an interview today on their blog. Read more about the work and my process there.

Another big ol' quilt you can see in Philadelphia from Friday, Feb 7th to March, 31st as part of my show Handwork at Art in the Age.  If you can make to the opening reception from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday I hope you'll say hello!

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I know so many of you found my work and blog via this beloved, very longterm project of mine.  My Medallion Quilt today feels like an opus. Worked slowly over several years, each row brought me to a new understanding of the medium, tradition, and community of quilts. I love this quilt. I loved making it, and I definitely cried when it was finished—lost without something to do with my hands for several weeks.

Believe it or not, my first forays into quilting were done completely by hand, and by the time my mom bought me a sewing machine as a graduation gift it was already very clear that I would be stitching for years to come.

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share my Medallion Quilt publicly at Art in the Age in Philadelphia, PA as part of my show Handwork which will be on display from February 7th through March 31st. If you'll be in Philadelphia next Friday, February 7th, I hope you will join us for the opening reception from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Over labor day weekend in September 2010, I started my Medallion Quilt. It took me over 3 years to hand piece and hand quilt this 90"x90" explosion of print and color, and in October 2013 it was by far the largest quilt I had ever made—even larger than any of the machine sewn quilts I had made. It wasn't exactly my own idea to start this quilt and do it completely by hand, I was completely captivated by the quilt movinghands was stitching by hand as part of a quilt along started by the incredible Anita of Blooming Workshop. Both quilters had been inspired by this captivating quilt created in 1890. It just seemed like a fun little project to give a try, so I started stitching not actually imagining that I would finish. 

Slowly savoring each stitch of this project brought me a unique intimacy with my materials, and a cacophony of new techniques. All the while a wonderful group of strangers (some quilters, some not) around the world started cheering me on, and with their encouragement I found plenty of time to contemplate the many stitches of the woman who completed the original quilt in 1890. I now feel such a deep respect for the legacy and community of quilting, fibers, and craft. My stitches are the same stitches ca. 1890, and the same as those of my fellow medallion quilt-along friends, and the same as those who try their own hand at a medallion quilt. It was such a powerful feeling to find that this wasn't just a union of cloth, but a union with other makers in times and places not my own.

Photo courtesy of Marko Metzinger.

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to witness the union of two incredible women, one who has been my best friend through the most important years of my life. She has always been brilliant and confident, but it wasn't until she met her partner (now wife!) that I noticed a new kind of peace and stability surround her. It's the kind of happiness we all hope for in our lives, but I believe so few people are lucky enough to actually find. I knew right away that this was the real deal when I saw them together for the first time, and 5 years later it was so wonderful to celebrate their love and commitment officially. I'm so proud to live in a country in which it's possible for them to be married, because their love is absolutely the definition of the word.

N + K, I love you both! (p.s. your quilt is in the works)

I've officially outgrown my little photo taking corner. Every quilt I'm working on, or recently finished, just don't fit in my usual photo spot. Attempting to get this one to work was a bit of a disaster. 

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I've been wanting to make an albers inspired quilt for a long time now, and finally had the perfect excuse when a client emailed me for a custom quilt. I tried to really play with different textures, both in the quilting patterns, quilting thread, and the types of solid fabrics I used. You know all is in its right place when the best liberty print in your stash feels destined to be the binding.  Pulling in the tiny print seemed just right.

Check out a few more photos in my portfolio, or contact me if you'd like to order a custom quilt of your own!