Check out her post, Altering Vest Patterns, at Tangled Thread.

At one time in my quiltmaking career, I designed and made quilted, appliqued vests for children.  I sold these individually, as well as supplied them to stores throughout the country.  I learned to alter patterns and designs to create original vests and to make them on order for customers.

Learning to apply your own creative ideas to basic patterns can be great fun.

Post from: Blisstree

Altering Patterns for Quilted & Patchwork Clothing

So even though I’ve listed seven facts at Home Biz Notes, I’ll see what information I can provide here that may be somewhat different, yet randomly related to quilting.

1. I began sewing at an early age, first doll clothes by hand with my grandmother (Nanny) and then an apron on a treadle sewing machine under the guidance of my 4-H teacher (Aunt Mary).

2. My quiltmaking began at age 8, when I sat beside my grandmother in her kitchen and stitched quilt squares together for quilts she made for my two brothers, my sister and me.  I still have my quilt even though it’s rather worn.

3. During the U.S. Bicentennial years, of 1975-76, I became involved in quiltmaking again which evolved into a home based business.   Initially my mother asked me to make quilts for her country general store.  The one lady supplying her couldn’t keep up with the demand.

4. I began writing for quilting magazines about this time.  This included articles about quilts and quilters.  For 8 years I also write a column, “The Business of Patchwork” and for 2 years “Work Patch.”

5. For several years, I made and sold children’s vests throughout the country.  These were specialty items with appliqued designs.

6.  I wrote “The Magic of Patchwork,” a book for young quilters and beginning adults.  It does go into the role of young quilters in our quilting history.

7. My daughter Beth now designs and makes quilts and fabric art, for which she’s received recognition.  Her blog is Meandering Threads.  I’m very proud of her and her achievements and receive inspiration from her these days.

Misc. Fact:  I no longer have a quilting business, but do work on many projects for fun.  I’d always said if I had to choose between operating my quilting business and writing, I’d have to go with the writing.  But I can’t let quilting go…the fascination of this art has me under it’s spell.  So I’m delighted I can write Quilting and Patchwork, meet quilters and fabric artists, see their work, learn about new projects and techniques…and write about them.

I also have some more book ideas in my mind.   Ask me about the Trails End Quilters!

I won’t tag anyone else for this meme since I think it’s been making its rounds for some time.  However, if anyone would like to list 7 Random Facts on their blog, I’d love to read them.  I hope you’ve found it interesting to learn a little more about my quilting background.

 (Although I’ve never made a Lone Star, the Missouri Star quilt was one of my most challenging, yet memorable quilting projects.)

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork Tagged for 7 Facts Meme

Yo-yo’s have a place in my life, too.  I made exquisite bits of fabric art with my daughter.  Together we created yo-yo Christmas tree decorations one year.  Currently I have a bag of yo-yo’s in my closet and must find a project for them.  Noreen has inspired me!

Post from: Blisstree

Creating a Yo-Yo “Memory” Vest

With so many quilters, what makes those stand out who are getting name recognition and orders for their work?  This is not to say there isn’t a market for any quilting, but finding something that is your specialty may help you develop your place in the quilting world.

As I evolved along the quiltmaking trail, I discovered quilted and appliqued vests for children.  (I made them for adults only on special order because I didn’t find themarkets for them in stores.) 

Actually I sort of inherited this business from Jan, another quilter.  i wrote a story about her vest business for the local newspaper and then a quilting magazine.  However, Jan decided she wanted to go back to teaching now that her children were in school.  She said she’d refer me to her markets if I was interested.  Jan had seen my work and was confident I’d produce quality products.

So Jan let me “pick her brains” and I began my venture.  I also found additional markets for these vests and developed my own designs.  I continued with this business until I had to decide whether to grow it larger (investing in more expensive equipment and possibly hiring others to help me) or stay small, but being consumed by the work.  At that time, I had the opportunity for a full time writing position and decided that was the way I wanted to go…writing about quilting and continuing to work on small projects as I had time.

But the niche I found in the quilting world for several years was very enjoyable.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilt Business Tips – Finding Your Niche