I started my quilting journey in 2018 when I joined the Napa Quilters' Guild. I didn't know how to quilt initially, but I was eager to learn and be part of a sewing community. Balancing my studies at Napa Valley College and weekend work made progress slow, but I made a couple of quilts, utility belts, bags, and costume pieces. When I graduated in 2020, the Covid shutdowns led to our sewing machines being used for making masks. As things started to reopen, the Napa Valley Quilters' Guild was offered the opportunity to host a quilt show at the Napa Fair Grounds. Unfortunately, I was dealing with long-Covid then, and although I started making quilts, I could not get them ready for the show. A year later, my health had improved enough for me to prepare 40 quilts with hanging sleeves and labels for the show. It was challenging, but I was determined not to miss it. Since I mostly make small art quilts, my quilts were used to fill in the smaller spaces next to the larger quilts. Now, nearly two years later, I have fully recovered from long-Covid.
I naturally developed a scrappy, happy, crazy quilt style. This style is both challenging and freeing for me. It's difficult because I never know what scraps I'll get to work with next. It's freeing because there's no right or wrong way to put the pieces together. I still use design knowledge to finish the quilt, but I let the quilt develop organically in the beginning. This type of quilting is my biggest stress relief from my perfectionist self. Everything must be exact when I sew clothing, bags, or other items, and I enjoy that challenge. But with quilting, I can let go and have fun. My favorite part of quilting is making the quilt tops. I had to overcome my fear of binding and quilting the quilt. Time, patience, and practice were crucial, as well as finding helpful YouTube tutorials. As for the future, my dream is to start a sewing club for beginner sewers in my community. I want to create a welcoming environment where people learning to sew can find information and help without feeling intimidated as they build their sewing skills and portfolio.