About Me
Hello, quilting enthusiasts! Welcome to The Quilters Retreat, where every thread tells a story. My name is Christine, and when I'm not punching keys as a computer programmer, I'm stitching together my passion for quilting and design. By day, I'm all about bytes and codes, but by night (and weekends), I'm knee-deep in fabric, thread and quilting inspired apparel and housewares.
My Quilting Journey...so far
I've been piecing together my quilting journey for about 15 years now. What started as a simple patch has turned into a beautifully quilted patchwork of experiences. I've learned techniques like:
Applique
Applique is where my quilting journey took a stitch in a new direction. Layering fabrics and creating intricate designs is my kind of sewing party. Plus, who doesn't love a good fabric mash-up?
And who can resist a McKenna Ryan quilt? In this case, I've added a few of our family pets to her beautiful Wind in the Whiskers (pineneedles.com) scene. Can you find them? Hint: Check the bird feeder.
McTavishing
McTavishing adds that extra pizzazz to my quilts. The swirls and twirls are like a dance on fabric, and it's so satisfying to see it all come together. I've paired it with this Fox in Spring Blossom's Embroidery and the Brushstroke and Blossoms Alphabet from Embroidery Library. I learned McTavishing by watching YouTube and reading Karen McTavish's book on Amazon. It's the perfect way to make your quilts sing! But pack a lunch! It takes some time!
Free motion quilting
Free motion quilting is like jazz for quilters – it's all about improvisation and feeling the rhythm. There's something magical about letting your creativity run wild and seeing the beautiful designs that emerge. There are so many YouTube and Craftsy teachers who will teach you Free Motion Quilting, but I got my start with Mystical Feathers from the Quilters Apothecary. These were early days.
Designing My Own Quilts
Designing my own quilts is the ultimate fabric adventure. I get to play with colors, patterns, and textures, and the end result is always a unique piece of art. It's like being a kid in a candy store, but with fabric!
My Etsy Store
About a year ago, I decided to channel my creative energy into an Etsy store. So, I opened stores for apparel, drinkware and canvas designs. I began designing a wide range of apparel items for InspiredDesignCorner and naturally, some of my designs showcased my passion for quilting. To my delight, the quilting designs quickly became the crowd favorites. It was clear that quilters shared my enthusiasm for these unique pieces, so I made the decision to go all-in on quilting designs and open a store dedicated exclusively to them.
The Quilters Retreat Store
The Quilters Retreat Store is a culmination of my years of quilting passion and experience. Every design and product I've created reflects the values I hold dear: creativity, community, and quality. This store is a haven for quilters who share these values, offering unique and high-quality quilting-inspired products that celebrate our shared love for this timeless craft.
During the day, I might be at my 9-5 job, but my heart is always in my sewing room. I spend my evenings and weekends designing quilts and creating designs for quilting inspired apparel and housewares.
This store is my passion and my dream -- and I'm here to answer all your questions and provide the best support, so don't hesitate to reach out. Let's stitch together some fantastic memories!
Contact me through our contact page if you'd like to hear more about any of these techniques and I'll happily share what I've learned.
Thank you for visiting, and happy quilting!
-- Christine