Not Your Granny's Quilt Show

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Steph Skardal, quilter, fiber artist, software engineer, and the featured artist for QuiltCon 2027. Steph’s work has been exhibited in quilt shows and featured in books and magazines, earning recognition for her innovative approach to quilting and textile art.

Whether she is designing quilts, experimenting with color, or exploring new artistic concepts, Steph is always pushing the boundaries of what quilting can be. By day, Steph works as a software engineer, and that analytical mindset led her to create Quilty Solid, a free app designed to help quilters make more confident fabric and color choices. The tool allows users to explore and compare solid fabric collections from multiple manufacturers, making it easier to visualize color combinations before cutting into fabric.

In this episode, we talk about: 

Preparing for her featured artist exhibit at QuiltCon 2027 

The intersection of technology and quilting 

Using color intentionally in quilt design 

Developing the Quilty Solid app 

Creativity, experimentation, and artistic growth 

Pushing boundaries in modern quilting

Steph also shares insights into her recent work and the creative process behind building a cohesive body of quilts for a major exhibition. We discuss how her perspective as both an engineer and artist influences her design decisions and why she is passionate about creating tools that help quilters spend less time second-guessing fabric choices and more time making.

We also chat about her recently announced color palette for the Windham Fabric Challenge and what excites her about the future of quilting and textile art. If you love modern quilting, color theory, quilt design, technology, or seeing artists challenge expectations, this episode is for you. Learn more about Steph, her quilts, classes, and creative work: https://www.stephskardalquilts.com/

Follow Steph on Instagram: @stephskardal

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.
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Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
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This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Marion Keller, the Lead Artistic Program Designer for Carrefour European Patchwork Meeting, one of the most unique and internationally celebrated quilt events in the world.

Marion never expected to work in the quilting industry or spend her days surrounded by quilts and textile art, but after six years with Carrefour, she considers herself an honorary member of the quilting community.

In this episode, Marion shares the story behind the show and explains why the breathtaking valley of Alsace creates the perfect setting for this immersive four-day quilting and textile arts experience.

We also dive into the fascinating history of the event. The original 1995 symposium in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines commemorated the 300th anniversary of the Amish movement. Because Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is considered the birthplace of the Amish faith, the gathering brought together historians, descendants of Anabaptist communities, textile enthusiasts, and artists from around the world. That symposium eventually evolved into the internationally recognized Carrefour quilt show.

What makes Carrefour so distinctive is its curatorial approach. Rather than displaying individual quilts from many makers in one shared exhibit, invited textile artists present cohesive bodies of work that transform each venue into a complete artistic experience.

The exhibitions are spread throughout four villages in the valley, creating an unforgettable mix of quilting, textile art, history, architecture, and culture.

In this episode, we talk about:

The history of Carrefour European Patchwork Meeting

Quilt exhibitions in Alsace, France

Textile art and curatorial design

The connection between Amish history and quilting

International quilting communities

Creating immersive artistic experiences through quilts

Learn more about Carrefour and upcoming events:

https://patchwork-europe.eu/en/home/

Follow along on Instagram:
@carrefour_patchwork

If you love quilting, textile art, quilt history, or dream of attending an international quilt show, this episode is for you.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.
Want to see more? You can find it here:
Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
Follow along on Instagram:
Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Kenneth D. King, couture designer, author, educator, and lifelong maker whose work spans custom fashion, doll couture, and museum exhibitions.

Kenneth is the author of Doll Couture and Doll Couture: Red Carpet, two books that showcase his extraordinary talent for designing and constructing high-fashion garments for dolls. He also teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology and has created custom couture pieces worn by Elton John.

Yes, that iconic hat from the 1987 Diet Coke commercial launch? Kenneth designed it.

Kenneth’s love of dolls and fashion began in childhood. Growing up in rural Oklahoma, he quietly used fabric scraps from his mother’s sewing to create clothing for dolls he inherited from his sister. What began as a private creative outlet eventually became an internationally recognized career.

In 1980, Kenneth moved to San Francisco, where he built his design business before relocating to New York City in 2005.

In this episode, we talk about:

Kenneth’s journey from rural Oklahoma to the world of couture fashion

Designing custom pieces for Elton John

Teaching couture sewing techniques at FIT

Writing the Doll Couture books

The artistry and technical skill behind doll fashion

Creativity, identity, and following your artistic vision

We also talk about Kenneth’s glamorous “assistant,” Lola, along with Crazy Bella, two dolls who have become stars in their own right. Lola will be featured in the Dressing Dolls exhibit at the Museum at FIT from September 2026 through January 2027.

Explore Kenneth’s books, courses, and couture work:
Kenneth D. King official website

Follow Lola and Crazy Bella on Instagram:
@lolatheshowgirl24

If you love sewing, couture, doll fashion, and stories about creative lives, this episode is not to be missed.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.
Want to see more? You can find it here:
Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
Follow along on Instagram:
Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Tawnee Kinnebrew, owner of Wyldwood Creative, a modern quilt shop and sewing community built on creativity, connection, and the belief that making should feel welcoming and inspiring.

Tawnee has always been creative and credits the women who raised her with instilling a simple but powerful mindset: “How hard can it be?”

That attitude shaped her path. After considering fashion design school, Tawnee decided to trust her instincts and made her first quilt, a story she shares in this episode that will sound familiar to many quilters.

Before opening her shop, Tawnee worked in a demanding sales career that kept her away from friends and family during important moments. Realizing she wanted a different life, she left her job, ran the numbers, and turned her dream of opening a quilt shop into reality.

Wyldwood Creative opened in October 2019 with a vision to create a quilt and sewing store rooted in community and core values. Just months later, the challenges of 2020 forced a rapid pivot to online sales and social media. Tawnee adapted quickly, built meaningful relationships with customers, and continued growing the business.

As the shop expanded, Tawnee assembled a team of like-minded creatives who help make Wyldwood Creative the warm and welcoming space it is today.

Today, Wyldwood Creative offers quilting fabric, sewing notions, patterns, classes, and workshops designed to support makers at every stage.

Visit Wyldwood Creative:
Wyldwood Creative website

Follow on Instagram:
@wyldwoodcreative

If you love quilt shops, quilting business stories, and conversations about creativity and community, this episode is for you.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.
Want to see more? You can find it here:
Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
Follow along on Instagram:
Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Want to be on the show? Send us a message

This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Sarah Ruiz, a former NASA scientist turned quilt pattern designer, tech editor, and quilting educator.

Yes, we are talking actual rocket science.

Sarah grew up creative and made her first quilt in the early 2000s using t shirts from running events. After some time away from sewing, she found her way back through a beginner sewing class making pillowcases at Joann Fabrics. From there, her quilting journey took off.

Today, Sarah is known for her quilt patterns, technical expertise, and teaching through lectures and workshops that help quilters build skills and confidence.

In this episode, we talk about:

Transitioning from a career in science to the quilting industry

Writing quilt patterns and working as a tech editor

Learning quilting as a beginner and returning to the craft

Quilt design inspiration and process

The intersection of quilting and STEM

We also dive into Sarah’s Quarter Moon Quilt, which was being featured across multiple new fabric lines during the Artemis II mission around the moon. Sarah shares her connection to the mission, and we fully nerd out about space, quilting, and the significance of this moment in history.

If you love quilting, science, or hearing how creative careers evolve over time, this episode is for you.

Explore Sarah’s quilt patterns:
https://shop.sarahruiz.com/

Follow Sarah:

Instagram: @bysarahruiz

Subscribe for more conversations with quilters, designers, and creatives shaping the modern quilting world.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.
Want to see more? You can find it here:
Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me
Follow along on Instagram:
Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany
Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
Want to be on the show? Send us a message