Every March, we dust off our “nevertheless, she persisted” (Thank you, Mitch McConnel for that rallying cry) mugs and celebrate the women who changed the world. We honor scientists, activists, writers, revolutionaries. And then, somewhere across town, a woman finishes a quilt so technically complex and visually stunning it would stop you cold in a […]
Why Quilting Is Art, Not Craft: And Why We’ve Been Told Otherwise Read More »
AI technology is decades old. It’s invisible. It’s part of our everyday life. I hear this statement often lately: “I would never use AI.” It’s usually said with conviction. Sometimes with moral clarity. Occasionally with an implied distinction between the person saying it and those who’ve made different choices. I don’t fault anyone for that
“I Would Never Use AI”: A Few Questions Worth Asking Read More »
My QuiltCon 2026 presentation: Rewiring Tradition, How AI is Transforming Creative Endeavors I’ll be at QuiltCon in Raleigh this week (February 19-22), giving a lecture called “Rewiring Tradition: How AI is Transforming Creative Endeavors.” The session description talks about biases, blind spots, and using AI to enhance originality rather than diminish it. That’s all true. But
Room for Everyone: Thoughts Before QuiltCon 2026 Read More »
You have an idea for some quilt blocks that you love. Or you have a pile of blocks from a “block of the month club” but you didn’t care for the setting they suggested. Or you just have a pile of orphan blocks from things you started but decided weren’t for you, or blocks from
The Part of Design AI Can’t Do: Why Your Judgment Still Matters Read More »
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19 Image from McDill Airforce Base website Martin Luther King Jr. Day is often framed around quotes, speeches, and soundbites. Important, yes—but incomplete. Dr. King’s legacy wasn’t built on words alone. It was built on service, on showing up for one another, and on the slow, unglamorous
Quilting, Community, and the Work of Justice Read More »
Let’s be real for a second. You’re curious about AI. You’ve seen the stunning projects, the rapid-fire brainstorming, and the way it can handle the boring admin stuff so you can get back to stitching. You are deeply curious about artist-friendly, ethical AI tools. But you also have a pit in your stomach. You’re looking
The Conscious Creative’s Guide: AI Tools That Won’t Steal Your Soul Read More »
It is January 6th. The holidays are over. The decorations are (mostly) packed away. And if you are anything like me, you are standing in the doorway of your sewing room, coffee in hand, looking at a textile explosion. We love our stashes. But let’s be honest: there is a fine line between “curated collection”
New Year, New Studio: How to Turn Your Fabric Stash into a Design Library Read More »
As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on what we’ve built together — and I keep coming back to one word: inconceivable. https://youtu.be/MwdWnwoXUuk?si=9ZJh5PSBpholujnq The AI Quilter started as a tiny idea in a corner of my heart, and thanks to this community, it’s grown into something far bigger, more connected, and more meaningful than
What 2025 Taught Me — and What’s Coming Next Read More »
It’s that time of year. Panic is setting in. You need a thoughtful, handmade gift tonight, and you’re fresh out of time and ideas. You’re a maker. A gift card is a solid backup plan (and hey, mine are right here), but your hands are itching to make something. The problem? You’re not about to
Three Last-Minute Handmade Gifts You Can Make in an Afternoon Read More »
(And How to Use Them With the Stash You Already Have) Use AI as a tool to choose colors from your stash—no need for more precuts Let’s be honest: a lot of quilting isn’t sewing. It’s standing in front of your fabric stash, completely paralyzed by color. You know you have beautiful fabric. You bought
The Best Quilt Color Palette Apps for Modern Makers Read More »
The week of U.S. Thanksgiving has become synonymous with flash sales and algorithmic chaos. But as makers, we know that creativity doesn’t come from corporations — it comes from people. Shopping small isn’t just a trend; it’s an act of alignment. Every dollar spent on an independent maker strengthens the creative economy we actually want
Shop Small, Quilt Big: Independent Makers to Support This Thanksgiving Read More »
What #BlackOutTheSystem Has to Do with Ethical AI for Artists and Quilters Art as resistance. AI as reclamation. Creativity as community. From November 25–December 2, I’ll be joining #BlackOutTheSystem—a peaceful economic protest built on one simple truth: we don’t have to fund the systems that exploit us. This isn’t just about not spending money. It’s
Why The AI Quilter Is Joining #BlackOutTheSystem: Ethical AI for Artists and Quilters Read More »
Let’s just say it: the past year has been A LOT. The world feels like it’s been spinning sideways, and just keeping your footing is exhausting. Usually, this is the part where someone pops up chirping about “gratitude.” And look, gratitude is fine. But when you’re in the thick of it, being told to list
Forget Gratitude. Let’s Talk About Capacity For Resilience. Read More »
So you’ve caught the quilting bug—but maybe all those patterns look like geometry homework gone wrong. Take a deep breath and meet your new best friend: the Log Cabin quilt block. It’s one of the most beloved, beginner-friendly quilt blocks of all time—simple to sew, endlessly customizable, and deeply symbolic. All you need are straight
The Log Cabin Quilt Block: The Beginner Pattern Every Quilter Should Start With Read More »
Some quilts never make it to the finish line. They get stuck halfway, pinned to a design wall, or folded into a basket until you’re ready to see them again. But here’s the secret every creative eventually learns: sometimes, the quilt isn’t the point. The process—the play, the risk, the willingness to fail spectacularly—is where
When the Quilt Isn’t the Point: Why Process is Important Read More »
Quilts are more than just blankets (and p.s., don’t ever say blanket to a quilter). Quilts are investments, even the simple or easy ones. Every handmade quilt represents not only fabric and thread but also the artist’s time, skill, and creativity. So when your friend or relative—who has no idea what goes into it—asks you
Quilts are an Investment: The True Cost of Creating an Heirloom Read More »
