GETTING ACQUAINTED
Tell us a little about yourself: where you live, what your life looks like outside of quilting, and what people might be surprised to know about you.
I live in Boise, Idaho. Outside of quilting, I'm a classically trained musician who performs with the Boise Philharmonic and teaches elementary school music. When I'm not quilting, teaching, or performing, my husband and I love getting lost in the outdoors, no matter the season.
When and how did you know that quilting was going to be a big part of your life?
Quilting entered my life unexpectedly and quickly became an obsession. Looking back, I think I needed it. My mind is happiest when it has a puzzle to solve, and quilting gives me exactly that. It also gives me a quiet way to recharge as an introvert who somehow ended up in very public, people-centered professions.
In many ways, my background in music has shaped how I approach quilting. I love the balance of creativity, structure/analysis, and problem-solving, and I'm always looking for ways to help others build confidence in the process. Teaching children every day also reminds me how important it is to make the world around us a little better and a little more beautiful. Quilting is what refuels me so I can return to my classroom, my performances, and my community with renewed energy. At this point, I don't know how I could function in life without quilting.
YOUR DESIGN WORK
Walk us through your design process from initial idea to finished pattern — how does a pattern actually come together for you?
My design process usually starts with an idea or a shape that catches my attention. From there, I give myself time to simply play. I'll sketch variations, rotate blocks, swap elements, and explore as many possibilities as I can before deciding which direction feels the strongest.
At the same time, I'm thinking about how the quilt will actually come together. I love designing quilts that can be made with traditional piecing techniques that most quilters already know, so I'm constantly balancing the look I want with the experience of making it.
Designing is really a conversation, and sometimes an argument, between what I want a quilt to look like and how I think a quilter would want to construct it. My goal is always to find the simplest, most intuitive way to achieve the design without sacrificing the finished look.
I also design patterns that leave room for the quilter to be creative, too. That's what led me to create the Mix & Match quilt blocks for the Sweet Potato Quilt Club, where quilters can choose the layouts and block combinations they want to make instead of following a single predetermined quilt.
What's the pattern you're most proud of, and why?
The pattern I'm most proud of is Sweetheart Medley. I especially love the fat quarter version because it uses only fat quarters and makes the most of nearly every piece of fabric. It was incredibly satisfying to design something that helps quilters finally use those favorite fat quarters they've been collecting over the years.
Going into the design process, I knew organizing all of the hearts and coordinating the prints would be the biggest challenge. Instead of avoiding that complexity, I leaned into it. I created fabric labels, swatches, and an organized workflow that guides quilters through the process one step at a time.
In the end, what looked like a complicated quilt became one that's surprisingly straightforward to make. I love that it showcases a wide variety of fabric prints while giving quilters confidence that they can tackle a more intricate-looking design. That balance between visual impact and an enjoyable sewing experience is something I strive for in all of my patterns.
What do you find as the most challenging part of designing a pattern? The creative side, the technical writing, the photography, the marketing, or something else entirely?
For me, it's knowing when to stop designing and let the pattern go. Designing feels never-ending, but in a good way. There are always more ideas to explore, more layouts to try, or another sentence in the pattern that could be a little clearer.
The hardest part is shifting from creating to sharing. At some point I have to stop refining the pattern and start photographing it, writing about it, and getting it into quilters' hands.
As I've grown as a designer, that transition has become even harder because I can see how much I've evolved. Sometimes I look back at my earliest patterns and immediately think of ways I could improve the writing, the diagrams, or the overall presentation. I really want to go back and revise everything which I'll do someday. But I also remind myself that those patterns represent where I was at that moment, and without them I wouldn't have learned what I know today.
YOU & THE CRAFT
What's your favorite part of the quilting process and why?
My favorite part of the quilting process is the big reveal to my husband. Every time I finish a quilt, I interrupt whatever he's doing, usually by walking into the TV room and saying, "Okay... you have to look at this."
I noticed something different during my last quilt reveal. Years ago, when I was just starting out, his first reaction was usually a comment on the size like, "Wow, that's a big quilt!" Somewhere along the way, though, that changed. Now he notices the colors, the way the blocks interact, and the little design details that make the quilt come to life.
I'd like to think I've become a better quilter over the years. But honestly, I'm even prouder that I've slowly turned my husband into someone who sees quilts differently. Maybe he'll even make a quilt with me one of these days!
What's always in your fabric stash? Any go-to collections, designers, or colors you find yourself reaching for repeatedly?
A good low-volume print is the one thing I always keep on hand. It's the foundation for so many of my quilts. Right now, I'm especially enjoying prints designed by the Sewcial Bee Collective for Art Gallery Fabrics. I'll usually choose a few feature prints, add a low-volume print, and then let solids do the rest of the work. That combination gives me the flexibility to showcase beautiful fabrics without overwhelming the design.
THE BUSINESS OF DESIGN
What's something you wish you had known before you started selling patterns?
In the best way possible, I had no idea that selling patterns would introduce me to an entire community of quilters. Through quilting, I've made friends all over the world, connected by a shared love of creating. Those relationships have become one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
On a practical level, I also wish I'd had a more organized workflow for designing and writing patterns from the beginning. Over time, I've developed systems that keep everything from sketches to testing and editing much more manageable. But I don't think I could have arrived at those systems without going through the process first. Every pattern still teaches me something new, and continue to shape the way I work today.
RAPID FIRE
Favorite quilt you've ever made (yours or someone else's)?
Sweetheart Medley Quilt
The quilt pattern (not your own) you wish you had designed?
Show and Tell by Elizabeth Hartmann
Is your workspace organized chaos, or everything in its place?
Organized chaos in the middle of a project but put back in place in between projects
What's next for you? Anything exciting on the horizon you can share?
I am making some great additions to my Quilt Club membership and Block of the Month program, with a book coming out in October 2026.
ONE LAST THING
Where can people find you online?
- Website: www.sweetpotatoquilts.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sweetpotatoquilts
- Instagram: @sweetpotatoquilt
- Newsletter sign up: https://sweetpotatoquilts.myflodesk.com