I signed up for my first quilting class more than 25 years ago at a local quilt shop. When I admired a pattern with houses and stars, the owner asked if I’d like to make a sample for the shop with my payment as a kit for the same project. I returned a week later with two completed quilts – one for the shop and one for me. The sample for the shop was made exactly like the pattern had instructed with dozens of template pieces and y-seams. My quilt was a bit different… I had simplified the pattern by using connecting corners and layered triangles. That’s when the shop owner informed me, “You’ll never amount to anything as a quilter if you can’t follow instructions.”

I took this as a challenge.

For the next few years, I made little quilts to sell and peddled my own patterns locally until I finally took the leap and attended International Quilt Market. A Block-of-the-Month quilt I’d created using mostly Moda fabrics caught their attention and I was asked to join the Moda Designer team the following market. That was almost 17 years ago. More than 50 fabric collections later, I still embrace the nature-inspired color palette and prints that are Kansas Troubles’ classics.

I’m continually learning and growing as a designer, developing more simplified ways to piece traditional quilt blocks using my Layered Patchwork technique. I enjoy sharing my quilts and methods with quilters all over the country, teaching at quilt guilds, shops and on cruises. What a delightful way to spend your life, surrounded by quilts and quilters!

Freedom Road Check It Out

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