Karen W Quilts

As a garment maker and quilter, I was limited by the local fabric stores offered.  I wanted to use the unique fabrics I saw in the black fashion magazines – bold, bright colors, mud cloth inspired prints, and profiles of black women. My business really grew from a desire to find sources for African-themed fabric.

I learned to sew at an early age from my mother who was a seamstress.  In high school I had my first business making prom gowns for classmates.  After college, I picked up quilting when I met a woman who was a member of an African American quilt guild. Members of the guild led me to a deeper understanding of fabrics, how to use them and where to buy them.

African fabric is typically sold in 6-yard lengths to make dresses and matching headwraps.  Quilters look for smaller quantities, so I opened an Etsy store to sell the excess. Along with selling fabric, I began teaching quilting in 2010 at a national chain store and found that I enjoyed working with students to help their creative expressions come to life.  A couple of years ago I developed a class on bag-making with recycled denim which led to a line of totes, wallets, and crossbody bags with cultural accents.  My business, Karen W Quilts is about passing down the tradition of sewing to the next generation and using fabrics that feel connected and authentic.