I love reading quilt magazines that are more than just a bunch of patterns. So when QuiltFolk debuted in 2016 it was a no-brainer for me to get a subscription and I’ve enjoyed every issue since then!
Imagine my pleasant surprise when editor in chief Mary Fons called me up earlier this year (before the world went a little haywire) and asked if she could feature me as one of the stories in their Nevada issue which published earlier this month.
Now, for those of you who don’t know, this amazing magazine tells stories about quilters all over the country, region by region. I was wondering when they would get to Nevada, and it was interesting read about the experience from Mary’s perspective on her Paper Girl blog here:
The original Charming Chevrons making its second magazine appearance.
But, I’m getting ahead of myself. I do actually know Mary quite well as she used to be editor-in-chief of the now defunct Quilty magazine, in which my first ever published pattern (the first iteration of Charming Chevrons) appeared on the cover back in 2013. I’ve kept in touch with her over the years and it was so wonderful to actually have her in my home before she came for a visit, back in March, literally, the day before everything here shut down (talk about timing!!)
Jason’s first (and probably last) magazine appearance!!
So the issue was extra special for me since they included a pic of me and Jason in what I lovingly now call “the fabric room.” (Anyone who knows him knows that he prefers to stay AWAY from the limelight as much as possible). We chatted about quilts and things, my new home, and a little bit of my regret that quilting has taken over soo much of my life that other hobbies (like running) have taken a back seat.
Jason took this action shot of me chatting with the QuiltFolk team in my studio!!!
But it was fun to be photographed as Mary and her team poured over my quilts and artfully took pics of them around my home. Mary even told me “thanks for having so many quilts here – that makes my job easy!!”
Of course there are some other amazing stories as well and it was fun to see that every other person or group they mentioned from Las Vegas is actually someone I know. I’m a member of the guilds that are mentioned in the magazine, and I’ve taught for both of the quilt shops featured in the issue as well. If you look closely, there’s also a closeup shot of my quilts included in the article about The Las Vegas Modern Quilt Guild on page 130.
Closeups of my “Vegas” Themed Quilts
I specially loved reading the stories about Nevada quilters I didn’t know about in northern Nevada, since they like to cover the entire state as much as possible.
If you’d like to get your hands on this issue or any other, you can check them out here. Fortunately QuiltFolk sent me an extra copy for publicity so I’d like to share that with you. One lucky US winner can win a copy of the magazine (or should I say journal is it’s quite heft for a quilting magazine. It’s more like a book)!
One of the feature photos they took with the updated Charming Chevrons behind me.
Just leave a comment telling me which state you’d love to visit to learn more about their quilting history. I’ll select one winner at random a week from now so be sure to comment by the end of the day on Thursday, August 6, 2020. I’ll notify the winner via email, sign the copy where my article is, and ship it directly to you!!
Christa Quilts 
Heck, with all the travel restrictions, I’d just like to visit the other side of my state 🙂 Alaska i on my list!
I’d like to see New Hampshire and or Massachusetts featured. Both used to manufacture cloth.
Maine or a northeastern state….and any quilting trip adventure is always fun!
I am lucky enough to have visited quilt museum in Paducah and Lincoln. I would choose to learn more about quilts in Massachusetts and colonies from our history. Thanks
I’d like to visit Kentucky and learn about their quilting history.
I would pick Nevada. Should be lots of interesting quilt stories, and perhaps a chance to meet
you after following your quilting stories for quite a while.
What a nice opportunity to be featured in the magazine- which is a good one! I’d like to visit Texas, and particularly the quilt museum there. Congratulations to you.
I have been to Pennsylvania but didn’t make it to the Amish communities. I would love to go back there and see some of the quilts made by the Amish women.
Congratulations!!! Las Vegas, Nevada is a town and state I have on my bucket list for quite awhile. Especially would love to meet you Christa. Ihaveyour books and have made three of your quilts and plan on making more. So happy for you and your success in the quilting world. Keep up the good work.
I love your quilt patterns and want to get going on Bling, charming chevrons and another soon! I would love to go to Missouri and check out their quilting history. Look forward to reading the articles about Las Vegas.
Good article. Nice to see you in print, even if we can’t see each other in person
I was born in South Dakota and lived there for nearly 20 years before I migrated to the South. I would love to find out about the quilting history of South Dakota. You’re very generous to share a keepsake copy of the magazine.
How generous of you to share a keepsake copy of the magazine! I’ve become a fan of your work as I followed you over the years. I was born in South Dakota and graduated from high school there before I moved to the South. I realize I know little about the quilting history of the state but it would be fun for me to explore that.
Congratulations on being featured in Quiltfolk. Sure looks like you had a great time with the crew, and how sweet that you got your husband to join you for a picture. Such a hard choice to choose one state because all of them hold a wealth of quilt history that is all their own. An Alaskan quilt adventure would be amazing. I would love to see Quiltfolk do an issue on Texas. Of course it is a whole other country, so they might have to break it down into the different regions – all have their own traditions, history, and quilt folk. Thanks for offering this special issue.
I think I’d choose to go to one of the Southern states – Mississippi maybe – to learn the history of quilting in a part of the country I haven’t been to yet. I hear Mississippi is a beautiful state, too. Unfortunately, my high risk status for COVID19 makes it improbable that I’ll be traveling anytime soon (within days of celebrating 70 years + a couple of co-morbidities). So until it’s safe to move around the country again, I’ll be “traveling” on the internet & through reading. Stay safe, Christa, you’re a valuable resource & quilting friend to many!
Montana would be my choice . The wide open spaces of the state seems to be the perfect place for Quilters of all styles to develop their own style.
I’d like to visit Kentucky and learn about their quilting history.
I would love to visit the Amish communities in Pennsylvania, and learn more about their quilts!
I would love to see Oregon’s history on quilting. Do we have much history? I know we have the biggest outdoor quilt show in the country in Sister’s Oregon. Second Saturday in July, put it on your bucket list.
Midwest Fiber Arts Trails has compiled a wonderful list of “excuses” for road trips. The International Quilt Museum at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska is next on my wish list. It is know to house the largest known public collection of quilts in the world. Eye candy! Inspiration! A visit would be amazing!
I would love to go to Kentucky to check out the quilting. My second pick would be Utah. On the way to either one, I would get quite a lot of inspiration stops since I live in Kansas!
I would love to visit Utah. It would be fun to see the quilting there.
I would choose Virginia! There is so much history and a lovely quilt museum in the state!
I’d love to go to Alaska and check out their history and present day quilting…
I’m pleased to see that quilting is everywhere in the USA. Glad to add Nevada to the list. Congratulations on being a featured quilter.
I would love to visit Alabama where Gees Bend quilts are located. I’ve only seen a few up close and would love to check out more of those wonderful, scrappy and wonky quilts. Congrats on being in the magazine and thank you so much for sharing the experience with us all!
It would be awesome to visit Hawaii and learn of quilt history from that state.
I would like to see an issue made of Texas from Quiltfolk. The magazine is beautiful and the pictures are amazing. I was married in Nevada so it holds a special place in my heart. Christa, I can’t wait to read your article. Congrats!
I grew up and spent most of my life in Iowa and have been many times to Winterset where Fons and Porter lived and had a Quilt shop. It is such a beautiful area and I love how they incorporate quilts in so many community activities. I now live just across the border of Iowa into Nebraska and would love to learn more of its quilt history.
I would love to learn about the quilting history of Arkansas since that is where I grew up.
Congrats on your article – I love your quilts. I would love Texas to be featured – I am sure there is an abundance of quilt history here
Congratulations Christa – I love your website and am continually inspired by your quilts. I’d love to see more from the midwest – lots of friends in the Wisconsin area and they always have beautiful quilts to show.
I would love to visit Kentucky so that I could experience Paducah.
I Love New York —UPSTATE. CHRISTA, i LEARNED A LOT OF MY QUILTING FROM YOUR SITE. I am more into traditional and create it myself but you got me started.
I would like to visit Ohio to learn more about Amish quilts and history… I happen to be reading a novel set in Amish communities in Ohio and it has really
piqued my interest.
I love the shops I have visited in Colorado, so it would be fun to learn more about that state’s quilting history. I’d also enjoy learning more about Illinois’ since that is where I live.
I’d love to visit the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY … to be there for the quilt show would be an amazing bonus, too!
Growing up in Iowa, I remember being in love with the sight of quilts hanging on Amish clotheslines during our weekend meandering trips through the countryside. While we lived near The Amana Colonies, (Not actually an Amish community, but similar and they offered quilts for sale to the crowds of tourists that came for the home cooked food, rhubarb wine and woolen goods), the best quilts could be found in the Amish communities such as Kalona. I would love to go back to my home state and revisit the joy I experienced as a child with the more experienced eye of a quilter.
I can think of lots of places I would like to go but first it would be Ohio.
I understand that the Smithsonian has at least one quilt by Martha Washington. I would love to see it!
And I STILL love your shoes.
I would really like to visit Kentucky and be in Paducah if we ever get back to having shows again. I have never been to a big show like that. So for me to see the show and the entire town involved would be a dream. I like get to Lancaster one year for the day, but I only went to the show. Husband in tow. I do think going with Quilty friends would be best as I wouldn’t feel bad about dragging someone to see things and just do the bare minimum. I was so happy and thankful I went but I with chums you’d experience more and see they town and other exhibits outside of the convention center. It’s the entire town!!!
Washington state where our daughter and family live.
I would love to visit and hear about the quilting history of Maine!
I would be interested in Alaska quilters. I imagine moose and wool!!!
I would like to visit Minnesota to learn more about quilts made by European settlers there. With the cold winters and strong needle art traditions, I think it would be fun to see how their quilting styles evolved.
I would love to Virginia and see all the historical quilts.
South Dakota—Minnesota public TV had a show on the history of quilt making in SD and I would love to read more about SD quilters
I’d love to learn about the quilting history of all our states.
I would love to visit Pennsylvania and the Amish communities to view their quilts. I saw some at QuiltCon & I was amazed at the quilts & quilting.
There are so many quilters and states to choose from. This time I’ll choose Utah as it’s a state I’ve never been to and they have great quilt shops so they must have a good history of quilters.
I would love to learn about the Pennsylvania quilters – Amish and others influenced by the Amish and other groups of quilters.
As my grandmother was an Iowan quilter, who quilted with the same group of ladies for over 70 years, I’d love to visit Iowa on a quilting quest.
As one of the Desert Quilters of Nevada members, I was super excited to hear about Mary Fons coming to town. I wish I could’ve met her. No doubt you were a fabulous hostess. I can’t think of a better person to represent our local community.
If I were to visit another town to see quilts and meet the local quilt community; I think I’d pick Ohio. I lived there years ago. But, Ohio originated the Barn Quilts. I’d like to see that stretch of the country. Plus, Ohio has a large Amish community as well. I’m sure I’d find so
E beautiful quilts there.
I’d love to know the quilting history of Maryland because that’s where I’m from. I’d also love to learn about the quilting history of Pennsylvania. Congratulations on your article!
I would love to visit Maryland to see every Baltimore Album quilt and learn more about their makers. Congrats, Christa on your feature in this beautiful magazine!