Meet Kathy
Quilt maker, diverse learner education advocate, backyard bird watcher, kitten foster mom.
Though I was born, raised, and still live in Chicago, I spent my childhood summers camping in Minnesota, exploring caves and creek beds in southern Indiana, and hiking in state and national parks all over the south, west, and Midwest. It was during that time that I developed a love for the colors and textures of nature: the bright greens and powdery purples of spring; the buttery yellows, vibrant oranges, and deep reds of summer; and of course, the many shades of brown, red, and yellow that crackle under our feet in autumn.
Even though I live in a large metropolitan area, I try to surround myself and my family with as many reminders of the beauty of the natural world as possible. My postage-stamp sized yard is an urban oasis. It is jam-packed with more perennials than I can name, plus my son's ever-growing farm, including his beloved apple trees, berry bushes, herbs, and vegetables (and even a tiny goldfish pond he and his dad dug when he was just eight years old.) We host a daily buffet for urban wildlife. Birds, squirrels, and tiny field mice visit our feeders and provide us and our dogs and cats with daily entertainment.
When I begin planning a new quilt, the fabric typically leads the way. I may find a new print or vintage textile that I love and that will be the start of a new project. I often spend hours sourcing fabric before I even begin cutting, sewing, and quilting. I tend to gravitate toward bold floral prints and highly saturated colors, often with a dash of whimsy thrown in. My favorite type of quilt to make is a clean patchwork design decorated with layer upon layer of floral prints. I love experimenting with new techniques and learning new skills that I can apply to my handwork as yet another layer of detail and texture.
I hope you enjoy my work. I certainly enjoy designing and sewing every quilt.