Blocks
Nancy has been an accomplished quilt-making teacher since 1975. At that time, she started teaching quilt making and other pioneer skills through her local Parks & Recreation Department in anticipation of the United States Bicentennial. Trained as an art educator and art historian Nancy has had a lifelong interest in the practice of quilt-making as an art form.
Nancy learned her love of quilts and her early quilt-making skills from her maternal grandmother who encouraged her to play with fabric, templates, and to sew at a very young age. Quilting, like many interests, often skips a generation...but Nancy encouraged her mother to complete two quilts of her own.
In 1982, Nancy opened the Quilters' Ranch, in Tempe Arizona. Nancy, and her two business partners, expanded the successful business twice in ten years before Nancy sold her portion to her partners. She has since devoted herself to quilt making -- teaching, judging, designing and writing books and articles.
Before 1985 all of Nancy's sewing was done on a Singer Featherweight sewing machine -- the same machine on which she made her wedding dress.
Nine Patch Quilts
Hand Quilt
Nancy completed her prize winning "Stitch in Time" garment ensemble and, later,her ensemble "Jackrabbit Sunrise" for the Tenth Annual Fairfirld Fashion Show on a PFAFF 1469 machine. That machine is still in operation -- but she now enjoys working on a new PFAFF Creative 2170.
She is rapidly learning the joys of machine embroidery.
Nancy has contributed to the success of many quilting events such as: The International Quilt Festival in Houston and Chicago; The American Quilters' Society; The National Quilters' Association, Inc.; The East Coast Quilters Alliance; The Smoky Mountain Quilters; The Montana Heritage Center; The Pine Tree Quilters; The North Carolina Quilt Symposium; Colorado Quilting Council; Minnesota Quilter's and many others. Throughout each year she is hosted by many guilds where she offers lectures, workshops, and frequently performs her duties as a quilt judge.
She is a member of The National Quilters' Association, Inc. and a NQA Certified Teacher and NQA Certified Quilt Judge. Nancy is active in several local and national guilds and she is a Charter Member of the American Quilters' Society and a member of the Museum of the American Quilters' Society. She earned a BA and MA in Art History and Art Education for grades one through twelve. She also holds an Adult Education Certificate from the Maricopa Community College District allowing her to teach adult education at the collegelevel.
Active in the quilt and doll making world for many years as a popular teacher, judge, and designer Nancy has authored more than twenty books on sewing crafts and quilt-making. She is a regular contributor to quilting and crafts magazines. Her quilts have been on the covers of engagement calendars for The American Quilters' Society and Better Homes and Gardens and have been featured in many other magazines, books and calendars.
Nancy is the mother of three adult children and grandmother of three. She makes time to volunteer in her community and is the companion of one "furkid" -- Sashie the Border Collie-mix.
Toby, the Airedale, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 13, 2006 at the age of 11. His illness was brief. I'm sure my Mother welcomed her furry Grand-Dog with open arms and his favorite treat -- a ripe banana.
