Not Your Granny's Quilt Show

Quilting isn't just about making a beautiful quilt. It's about finding your people, learning something new, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the process, mistakes and all!

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m chatting with *Karen Brown of Just Get It Done Quilts, one of the most recognizable educators in the online quilting community. @JustGetitDoneQuilts But Karen didn't start out as a master quilter. She started as a sewist looking for a creative outlet during a challenging season of life, jumped into quilting with a king-size quilt, and learned a few things the hard way. Sound familiar?

Since launching her YouTube channel, Karen has helped quilters tackle beginner mistakes, improve their accuracy, manage their fabric stashes, and discover clever sewing hacks. In our conversation, we talk about how her channel grew, what she learned along the way, and why sharing what you know is so much more rewarding than competing with other creators.

We also get into the bigger picture of quilting: why there's room for every skill level and style, how modern tools make the craft more accessible, and why quilting is absolutely not a dying art. Plus, we talk about the emotional power of handmade quilts, the connections they create, and why a quilt is so much more than a blanket. It's a little bit of love, comfort, and safety you can wrap around someone.

In this episode, we talk about: 
- How Karen discovered quilting during a challenging time in her life 
- The early quilting mistakes that taught her valuable lessons 
- How Just Get It Done Quilts grew from a few videos into a go-to quilting resource 
- Sewing hacks, stash management, accurate piecing, and learning the basics 
- Why you don't have to be a master quilter to enjoy the craft 
- How quilting tools and technology open up new creative possibilities 
- The importance of sharing knowledge instead of competing with other creators 
- Why handmade quilts are meant to be used, loved, and lived with 
- The generous, welcoming community that makes quilting so special

Whether you're a brand-new quilter, a seasoned maker, or someone who just loves learning from other creative people, this conversation is a reminder that there's no single right way to be a quilter. Find Karen and her quilting tutorials at Just Get It Done Quilts* on YouTube, and join us for a conversation full of practical wisdom, laughs, and appreciation for everything this craft has to offer. 
If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a quilting friend. It helps more people find the show and keeps these conversations going! 
Thanks for watching and listening.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

On this episode of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m chatting with contemporary fiber artist Mindy Brown about her large-scale art quilts, her creative process, and the questions that keep her work evolving. Mindy builds her practice around sustained inquiry, returning to ideas and visual elements to discover what else they might become. Her work combines improvisation, bold color, and thoughtful experimentation, including the smaller “snapshots” she creates from her larger pieces.

We also talk about hand-dyed fabric and color gradients, including how Mindy’s search for just the right colors led her to create Saturation Point, her own hand-dyed fabric business. Plus, we get into the realities of balancing art with a full-time job, making dedicated studio time, and finding fulfillment in the work itself.

And because no conversation about contemporary quilting would be complete without a little quilt-show talk, we share some thoughts on exhibiting, judging, and why getting into a show should never determine the value of your art.

Mindy brings plenty of honesty, strong opinions, and thoughtful perspective to this conversation. Whether you make traditional quilts, art quilts, or something that doesn’t fit neatly into either category, there’s inspiration here to help you keep experimenting and make time for the creative work that matters to you.

In this episode:

• Mindy Brown’s journey into contemporary fiber art
• Large-scale art quilts and sustained inquiry
• Improvisation, experimentation, and knowing when a piece is finished
• Hand-dyed fabrics, color theory, and Saturation Point
• Balancing a full-time career with a dedicated art practice
• Quilt shows, judging, and separating artistic worth from outside validation
• Making time for creativity and following through on your ideas

Find Mindy Brown and her hand-dyed fabrics through Saturation Point, and explore more of her work online.

Thanks for watching Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show! If you enjoyed this conversation, like the video, subscribe, and share it with a fellow quilter who could use a little creative inspiration.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

What if quilting could be more than patterns and precise piecing? What if fabric, paint, and stitch could help you discover your own artistic voice? 🎨🧵

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, Amanda sits down with textile artist, author, and educator Deborah Boschert to talk about art quilt collage, creative exploration, and the updated 10th anniversary edition of her book, Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint, and Stitch.

Deborah shares how she moved from traditional pieced quilts to the colorful, mixed-media art quilts she’s known for today. We talk about making art more approachable, finding inspiration in everyday images, experimenting with surface design, and using her eight design guides to move past the dreaded blank page.

We also get into the importance of finding your creative voice, why you don’t need an art degree to be an artist, and how recognizing your strengths can help you make work that feels uniquely yours. Plus, Deborah shares her perspective on entering quilt shows, judging and exhibiting artwork, teaching creative workshops, and learning to appreciate quilts beyond whether they match your personal taste.

And don't miss Deborah’s two practical tips for your own creative practice: give yourself permission to clear out what no longer serves you, and make visual decisions visually. Sometimes you just have to put the fabric on the design wall and see what happens!

Whether you're curious about art quilting, ready to experiment beyond traditional quilt patterns, or simply looking for a little creative inspiration, this conversation will encourage you to explore what's possible with the materials and skills you already have.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Deborah’s quilting journey and the discovery of raw-edge fused appliqué
• Art quilt collage using fabric, paint, and stitch
• What’s new in the updated 10th anniversary edition of Art Quilt Collage
• Eight design guides to help you get started with composition
• Finding inspiration and developing your own creative voice
• Why you don’t need a formal art education to make original artwork
• Quilt shows, judging, exhibiting, and sharing your work
• The benefits of in-person and virtual creative workshops
• Making space for new ideas and experimenting with your materials

CONNECT WITH DEBORAH BOSCHERT
Find Deborah’s artwork, books, workshops, and more through her website https://www.deborahsstudio.com/publications and social media https://www.instagram.com/deborahboschert/ 

📚 Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint, and Stitch is getting an updated second edition, with new images, examples, and insights from Deborah’s years of making and teaching.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, leave a review, and share it with a creative friend who could use a little inspiration!

#ArtQuilting #ArtQuiltCollage #QuiltingPodcast #QuiltArtist #ModernQuilting #TextileArt #CreativeProcess

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m talking with quilter and textile artist Sara Washington Goggin, the 2026/2027 Create Change resident at The Laundromat Project in Brooklyn, New York.

Sara is a video producer by day, but during the COVID shutdowns, quilting became a creative outlet and a way to stay connected with the people she loved. She began sharing pieces of her life on Instagram, and eventually her quilts started making their way into the feed. Somewhere along the way, people started calling what she was making “art.”

But Sara doesn't approach her creative practice as a productivity metric. She creates for pleasure, for connection, and for activism.

Through her residency, Sara is building a community of quilters and non-quilters who are looking for something many of us crave: a sense of belonging and safety. Her work has also become a way to respond to her own experiences and advocate for others.

After experiencing a traumatic birth, Sara knew she needed to do something. That realization led to Quilts for Reproductive Justice, a project bringing people together through sewing groups to create quilts that will be raffled to raise money in support of reproductive justice.

In this conversation, Sara and I talk about finding creativity during isolation, the difference between creating for pleasure and creating for productivity, building community through making, and what can happen when our creative practices become a way to support the causes and people we care about.

Sara is also accepting donations of clean, good-quality quilting supplies and sewing machines to support her work.

I hope this conversation encourages you to think about what creativity means in your own life. Maybe it's art. Maybe it's activism. Maybe it's community. Maybe it's simply something that makes you happy.

Maybe it can be all of those things at once.

Please enjoy this conversation with Sara Washington Goggin.

In this episode:
• Sara's journey from video producer to quilter and textile artist
• Discovering quilting during the COVID shutdowns
• Creating for pleasure instead of productivity
• The role of Instagram in building creative connection
• Sara's Create Change residency with The Laundromat Project
• Building community through sewing and quilting
• Creativity, belonging, and creating spaces for safety
• Quilts for Reproductive Justice
• Using quilting and community to support reproductive justice

Support Sara's work:
Visit quiltsforreprojustice.org to learn more about the project, donate, or find out how you can contribute supplies and sewing machines.

Please enjoy Sara Washington Goggin!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

What if the thing that completely changed your creative direction started with a pile of leftover triangles? 
Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC shares how a handmade sewing business, a pandemic, an improv quilting workshop, and some pre-cut triangles eventually led her to modern quilting and textile art.

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m talking with modern quilter, pattern designer, and sewing artist Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC. Jenn has a PhD in Sociology , a background in handmade business, and a creative journey that eventually led her to the world of modern quilting and textile art. 
Jenn grew up watching her mother sew clothes, curtains, and dolls, but quilts weren't really part of her family's sewing story. After leaving home following high school, Jenn's mom gifted her her first personal sewing machine and Jenn kept sewing in small ways while working her way through school and raising a toddler. She ultimately earned her PhD while 8.5 months pregnant, then spent time in the workforce before making the decision to stay home with her children. 
That change opened up more space for creativity. Jenn became a yoga instructor, started sewing more, and in 2013 launched a handmade business creating bags, pouches, and other sewn goods. She spent years in heavy rotation on the handmade market circuit, and by 2019, she had her most profitable year yet. 
Then COVID changed everything. 
During that time, Jenn took a whole cloth quilting workshop, learned improv quilting through Sherri Lynn Wood, and began exploring quilting in a much deeper way. After making masks during the pandemic, she found herself with a pile of pre-cut triangles. Those triangles eventually became her first quilt, and from there, Jenn dove headfirst into learning everything she could about quilts, quilting, and the broader world of textile art. 
Since then, Jenn has continued to develop her voice as an artist. She's an alum of the Alderwood Studio Pattern Writing Academy, has exhibited her work in multiple places, and has built a strong community of fellow quilt artists who continue to challenge, encourage, and inspire her. 
I love Jenn's story because it is such a great reminder that creative paths aren't always linear. Sometimes the thing you think is a side project becomes the thing that changes everything. 
Come hear how Jenn went from sewing handmade goods to discovering modern quilting, developing her artistic practice, and finding a creative community that keeps her moving forward. Please enjoy this conversation with Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC! 
In this episode: 
• Jenn's journey from sociology PhD to textile artist 
• Growing up around sewing without quilts 
• Building a successful handmade sewing business 
• How COVID changed the direction of her creative practice 
• Discovering whole cloth and improv quilting 
• The unexpected origin of Jenn's first quilt 
• Learning to design quilt patterns 
• Building community with other quilt artists 
• Finding your creative voice and allowing your path to evolve 
Explore Jenn's work and Sewistry NC at her website: https://www.sewistrync.com/

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m talking with San Francisco-based textile artist Ben Venom, whose work brings together the worlds of counterculture, music, repurposed materials, and traditional textile techniques in a way that is completely his own.

Ben grew up in the Atlanta punk rock scene of the 1990s, and while earning his MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute, he began making flags. In 2006, he saw the landmark Gee’s Bend quilt exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, an experience that changed the way he thought about textiles and opened the door to incorporating quilting into his artistic practice.

In 2008, Ben created his first quilted piece for a group exhibition in Berlin, using old punk T-shirts collected from years of seeing punk and heavy metal bands. That piece became the beginning of an ongoing exploration of what happens when materials, imagery, and histories from very different worlds are brought together.

I first discovered Ben’s work through an issue of QuiltFolk magazine, and I was immediately drawn to the juxtaposition of punk and metal imagery with silks, soft cottons, and traditional quilting techniques. There is something unexpected about seeing these materials together, and that tension is a huge part of what makes Ben’s work so compelling.

We talk about his path from the punk scene to textile art, the influence of Gee’s Bend, working with repurposed materials, and how the stories and histories held by those materials become part of the artwork itself.

Ben also shared a quote from Patti Smith that has become an important philosophy for how he approaches his life and work: build a good name, protect your work, don't compromise your values, and focus on doing good work.

That idea really stuck with me.

Ben’s work is available through his website, and he is currently teaching as an Artist in Residence at The Space Program in San Francisco. He is also creating a new body of work for a solo exhibition coming in February 2027, so definitely stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, go check out Ben’s work and prepare to see textiles, quilting, and repurposed materials from a very different perspective.
https://www.benvenom.com/

Please enjoy this conversation with Ben Venom!

In this episode:
• Ben’s Atlanta punk rock roots
• Discovering the Gee’s Bend quilts and the impact they had on his work
• His first quilted piece in 2008
• Turning punk and heavy metal T-shirts into art
• The stories and histories carried by repurposed materials
• The relationship between quilting, fine art, music, and counterculture
• Why doing good work and building a good name matter
• Ben’s upcoming solo exhibition in February 2027

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

What happens when a quilter has an idea, realizes she has talented friends, and lets everyone work their magic?

Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co. joins me to reveal the story behind The Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler, a fantasy-inspired collaborative quilt where every designer gets to shine.

My friend and returning guest Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co. is back on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show to share the story behind her latest quilt pattern, a collaborative sampler inspired by fantasy, dark academia, and a little bit of magic.

The idea for The Grimoire came to Eva while she was recovering from her “QuiltCon Cold” and spending a lot of time immersed in the art deco-inspired world of her recent quilt patterns. She had designed a beautiful frame, but something was missing. She didn't know exactly what belonged in the middle.

Then Eva remembered something very important: she has friends.

And those friends happen to be incredibly talented quilt designers.

What began with Eva’s frame grew into a collaborative sampler featuring a collection of beautifully designed blocks, each with its own personality, that come together to create one cohesive, moody, magical quilt. In our conversation, we talk about the creative challenge of collaboration and the fine balance between creating a cohesive whole while still allowing each individual artist’s work to shine.

And yes, Eva gave me a sneak peek at the final layout MONTHS ago, so I am extremely relieved that I can finally talk about this quilt. Keeping that secret has been torture!

Get ready for the *Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler Sew-Along, October 1–31, 2026!

Patterns are available at the link below, and kits will be available through several retailers. When you purchase the pattern, you’ll also get the opportunity to unlock a bonus block by solving a riddle. Because obviously, a magical sampler needs a little mystery.

And there’s more! When you finish your own Grimoire Sampler, I’ll be offering a special discount for sending your quilt to Sweet Pea Design Company for edge-to-edge quilting. Stay tuned for all the details!

Whether you love quilting, fantasy, dark academia, Art Deco design, or just the magic that happens when creative people work together, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Eva. Please enjoy Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co.! The Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler*

• Sew-Along: October 1–31, 2026 🔮 Pattern: https://gingerlyquiltco.com/GRANNYS
• Kits: Available through participating retailers (like Sewfinity.com)
• Bonus block: Solve the riddle included with your pattern

• Finished quilt: Stay tuned for a special Sweet Pea Design Company quilting discount

   

  *Collaborators:* 
  Block 1 – Quill of Wisdom – Eva Saunders @gingerlyquiltco 
  Block 2 – Edge of Light – Lauren Metang @palm__creations 
  Block 3 – Fairy Lights – Erin Nichole @mija.handmade 
  Block 4 – Bookbound Demon – Jennifer Larimore @nerdynquilty 
  Block 5 – Enchanted Rose – Amber Elliot @alderwoodstudio 
  Block 6 – Drink of Destiny – Kelsey Swatske @white_rosedesigns 
  Block 7 – Dragon’s Flight – Rebecca Halvorsen @quiltbynight 
  Block 8 – Fractured Crystal – Chris Marchini @rosecityoriginals 
  Block 9 – Enchanted Elixirs – Adrianna Jaffrani @gettingjazzywithitig 
  Block 10 – Raven Skull – Glynis Thompson @quiltcorepatterns 
  Block 11 – Gilded Serpent – Sofia Natty @sofianatty.nyc 
  Block 12 – Midnight Flame – Sarah Pitcher @quiltnsew / Pitcher’s Boutique 
  Block 13- Creature of the Night – Cole Whitaker @colesquilts 
  Bonus Block Love Interest – Glynis Thompson @quiltcorepatterns 
  
  Sponsors
  Art Gallery Fabrics -- https://www.artgalleryfabrics.com/
  Aurifil -- https://www.aurifil.com/

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

What if the quilts we make today become the history someone studies 100 years from now?

Quilt historian Tara Miller joins me to talk about the stories, people, women’s history, and cultural context hidden inside the quilts we’ve inherited. From her work curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce to her journey from technical writing to studying quilt history, this conversation might make you look at quilts a little differently.

Before dedicating herself to quilt history, Tara spent 22 years in the corporate world as a technical writer in the software industry. Along the way, she discovered a deeper passion for understanding quilts not just as objects, but as a way to explore women’s history, culture, creativity, commerce, and everyday life.

Tara first began developing her appreciation for the historical side of quilting through books. In 2018, she joined the American Quilt Study Group, diving even deeper into the study and preservation of quilt history. She also credits a long list of incredible mentors who helped her develop a deep appreciation for textiles and their significance in our past, present, and future.

We talk about what drew Tara to quilt history, what we can learn by looking closely at the textiles that came before us, the importance of preserving these stories, and why understanding the past can change the way we look at the quilts being made today.

Whether you're a quilter, textile lover, history nerd, or simply curious about the stories hidden in the things people make, I hope this conversation inspires you to take a closer look at the quilts around you. Because every quilt has a story. And sometimes, the history is just as fascinating as the quilt itself.

*In this episode:
• Tara’s journey from technical writer to quilt historian
• Curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce* at the Bowers Museum 
• How books opened the door to quilt history 
• The American Quilt Study Group and the study of quilt history 
• The importance of mentors and preserving textile knowledge 
• Quilts, women’s history, and the stories held in textiles 
• Why understanding quilt history can deepen our creative practice today

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny's Quilt Show, I'm welcoming back a returning friend, Meagan Guite!

Meagan is the Project Coordinator at Ruby Star Society, where she gets a behind-the-scenes look at how fabric collections come to life. From the early conversations and collaborations to the conception of new fabric lines and the final launch, Meagan gets to be part of the process that brings some of our favorite fabrics into the world.

She also plays a hands-on role in deciding how new collections are presented and showcased when they launch, giving her a unique perspective on the business, creativity, and relationships behind the fabric we love.

But Meagan's story has changed since we last talked.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Meagan stepped back from sharing parts of her creative process. In some ways, sharing more would have meant acknowledging something she wasn't quite ready to accept: that she had cancer.

Thankfully, early detection meant that her treatment was successful. Now, Meagan is on the road to healing and looking toward the future with a renewed passion for sewing, quilting, and the community that surrounds them.

Being changed by the experience has given Meagan a new perspective on what she wants from her creative life. She's brimming with ideas and excitement about building meaningful relationships within the quilting industry, starting with local quilt shops and the people who make those communities so special.

This year, Meagan is holding onto one word: peace.

We talk about what it means to find peace in creativity, to reconnect with sewing after a difficult season, and to embrace the humanness of making things with our hands.

In this episode, we talk about:

I'm so happy to welcome Meagan back to the show and to hear her talk about where she's been, where she's going, and what she's excited about next.

Please enjoy the return of my friend, Meagan Guite!

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Tara Faughnan, quilter, pattern designer, teacher, and the creative force behind the new Handloom fabric collection with Windham Fabrics.

Tara has built a name for herself through her distinctive approach to color, texture, and quilt design. Her quilts bring unexpected color combinations and fresh energy to classic quilt blocks, creating work that feels both playful and deeply thoughtful.

Tara was the featured quilt artist at QuiltCon 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, where her exhibit showcased her unique interpretations of traditional quilt blocks. Seeing these quilts in person was an incredible experience, and this conversation gives us a chance to dig deeper into the creative mind behind them.

Tara recently launched Handloom, her first licensed fabric collection with Windham Fabrics. The woven fabrics are a beautiful reflection of Tara’s love of color and texture, with a versatility and timeless quality that make them exciting for quilters and sewists alike. Tara has previously worked as an in-house designer for both Michael Miller Fabrics and Windham, making this first licensed collection an exciting new chapter in her career.

We also talk about Tara’s approach to teaching and community through her Block Studies Collective, a membership program built around exploring quilt blocks through color, creativity, and connection.

Each six-month season includes:

Tara has built something really special around her business. She shows up honestly and authentically, and that same spirit carries through the community she has created.

In this episode, we talk about:

Whether you’re interested in modern quilting, quilt design, color theory, fabric design, quilting education, or building a creative community, there is something here for you.

Learn more about Tara’s patterns, courses, Block Studies Collective, and Handloom:
Tara Faughnan

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

Want to see more? You can find it here:

• Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
• Follow along on Instagram:
  Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
  Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
• Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
• Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow

Want to be on the show? Send us a message