I got into quilting somewhat by accident or unplanned. I have always been creative so when our oldest son was in first grade, it made perfect sense for me to try to make his teacher a baby quilt for her first baby. I had no idea what I was doing, but I gave it a try. It was not bad for a first quilt by trial and error, but I had a lot to learn. I then got a job doing appliqué clothing for a local retail crafter.
When we moved to Sandy Hook, CT, I got involved with the quilt raffle fundraisers by combining my appliqué skills with another attempt at quilting. I had self-taught and learned a little more by now and completed two nice quilts for the school during our time there. After that, I pursued longarm quilting and teaching quilt classes. I had a classroom in a quilt shop in Newtown, my own quilt shop with longarm services and classes in my hometown of Newton, KS, and now my quilt studio in Bethel, CT. That first quilt was 28 years ago!
Teaching, more than anything, has pushed me to develop my skills over time. You have to learn new skills to teach the latest all the time. I love learning new quilting and sewing skills and teaching them to others. I love to see clients get excited about their projects and develop a love for the art as well.
But most of all, what I love about my work at Studio Q is meeting all the people and helping them find fabric for their projects, learn new skills in the classroom and finish their projects on the longarm. I guess you could say I love everything about it. I love purchasing the fabric I think will be popular, organizing those fabrics and presenting them in a way that brings so much joy to people. We call it our happy place because everyone says how much they love all the fabric. I call it color therapy.
When clients enter Studio Q they are greeted with a warm welcome and guided through a colorful array of fabrics, as well as a great selection of projects to choose from. We help answer all their questions and do the best we can to meet their needs.
New quilters are some of my favorite clients and I love to teach children. At Studio Q you most definitely do not have to have any experience at all. We guide you to some great beginner projects and walk you through every step of the way at your pace. We make it fun, enjoyable and educational. Win-win!
My husband Dwayne is an integral part of Studio Q. He was the one who encouraged me to open Studio Q in Bethel. Aside from his full-time job as a coffee trader, he also helps me with all the buildouts and handyman jobs, and he is my financial man who keeps the books in order. Thank goodness, because the less I have to worry about that, the more I can quilt. Together we raised four boys who are all grown now. Our first grandchild was born in October 2020. It's a girl—guess who made the baby quilt!
Fawn with supportive hubby, Dwayne