Not Your Granny's Quilt Show

What if the thing that completely changed your creative direction started with a pile of leftover triangles?
Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC shares how a handmade sewing business, a pandemic, an improv quilting workshop, and some pre-cut triangles eventually led her to modern quilting and textile art.
This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m talking with modern quilter, pattern designer, and sewing artist Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC. Jenn has a PhD in Sociology , a background in handmade business, and a creative journey that eventually led her to the world of modern quilting and textile art.
Jenn grew up watching her mother sew clothes, curtains, and dolls, but quilts weren't really part of her family's sewing story. After leaving home following high school, Jenn's mom gifted her her first personal sewing machine and Jenn kept sewing in small ways while working her way through school and raising a toddler. She ultimately earned her PhD while 8.5 months pregnant, then spent time in the workforce before making the decision to stay home with her children.
That change opened up more space for creativity. Jenn became a yoga instructor, started sewing more, and in 2013 launched a handmade business creating bags, pouches, and other sewn goods. She spent years in heavy rotation on the handmade market circuit, and by 2019, she had her most profitable year yet.
Then COVID changed everything.
During that time, Jenn took a whole cloth quilting workshop, learned improv quilting through Sherri Lynn Wood, and began exploring quilting in a much deeper way. After making masks during the pandemic, she found herself with a pile of pre-cut triangles. Those triangles eventually became her first quilt, and from there, Jenn dove headfirst into learning everything she could about quilts, quilting, and the broader world of textile art.
Since then, Jenn has continued to develop her voice as an artist. She's an alum of the Alderwood Studio Pattern Writing Academy, has exhibited her work in multiple places, and has built a strong community of fellow quilt artists who continue to challenge, encourage, and inspire her.
I love Jenn's story because it is such a great reminder that creative paths aren't always linear. Sometimes the thing you think is a side project becomes the thing that changes everything.
Come hear how Jenn went from sewing handmade goods to discovering modern quilting, developing her artistic practice, and finding a creative community that keeps her moving forward. Please enjoy this conversation with Jenn Marks of Sewistry NC!
In this episode:
• Jenn's journey from sociology PhD to textile artist
• Growing up around sewing without quilts
• Building a successful handmade sewing business
• How COVID changed the direction of her creative practice
• Discovering whole cloth and improv quilting
• The unexpected origin of Jenn's first quilt
• Learning to design quilt patterns
• Building community with other quilt artists
• Finding your creative voice and allowing your path to evolve
Explore Jenn's work and Sewistry NC at her website: https://www.sewistrync.com/

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
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Subscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow
Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
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This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m talking with San Francisco-based textile artist Ben Venom, whose work brings together the worlds of counterculture, music, repurposed materials, and traditional textile techniques in a way that is completely his own.
Ben grew up in the Atlanta punk rock scene of the 1990s, and while earning his MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute, he began making flags. In 2006, he saw the landmark Gee’s Bend quilt exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, an experience that changed the way he thought about textiles and opened the door to incorporating quilting into his artistic practice.
In 2008, Ben created his first quilted piece for a group exhibition in Berlin, using old punk T-shirts collected from years of seeing punk and heavy metal bands. That piece became the beginning of an ongoing exploration of what happens when materials, imagery, and histories from very different worlds are brought together.
I first discovered Ben’s work through an issue of QuiltFolk magazine, and I was immediately drawn to the juxtaposition of punk and metal imagery with silks, soft cottons, and traditional quilting techniques. There is something unexpected about seeing these materials together, and that tension is a huge part of what makes Ben’s work so compelling.
We talk about his path from the punk scene to textile art, the influence of Gee’s Bend, working with repurposed materials, and how the stories and histories held by those materials become part of the artwork itself.
Ben also shared a quote from Patti Smith that has become an important philosophy for how he approaches his life and work: build a good name, protect your work, don't compromise your values, and focus on doing good work.
That idea really stuck with me.
Ben’s work is available through his website, and he is currently teaching as an Artist in Residence at The Space Program in San Francisco. He is also creating a new body of work for a solo exhibition coming in February 2027, so definitely stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, go check out Ben’s work and prepare to see textiles, quilting, and repurposed materials from a very different perspective.
https://www.benvenom.com/
Please enjoy this conversation with Ben Venom!
In this episode:
• Ben’s Atlanta punk rock roots
• Discovering the Gee’s Bend quilts and the impact they had on his work
• His first quilted piece in 2008
• Turning punk and heavy metal T-shirts into art
• The stories and histories carried by repurposed materials
• The relationship between quilting, fine art, music, and counterculture
• Why doing good work and building a good name matter
• Ben’s upcoming solo exhibition in February 2027

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

What happens when a quilter has an idea, realizes she has talented friends, and lets everyone work their magic?
Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co. joins me to reveal the story behind The Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler, a fantasy-inspired collaborative quilt where every designer gets to shine.
My friend and returning guest Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co. is back on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show to share the story behind her latest quilt pattern, a collaborative sampler inspired by fantasy, dark academia, and a little bit of magic.
The idea for The Grimoire came to Eva while she was recovering from her “QuiltCon Cold” and spending a lot of time immersed in the art deco-inspired world of her recent quilt patterns. She had designed a beautiful frame, but something was missing. She didn't know exactly what belonged in the middle.
Then Eva remembered something very important: she has friends.
And those friends happen to be incredibly talented quilt designers.
What began with Eva’s frame grew into a collaborative sampler featuring a collection of beautifully designed blocks, each with its own personality, that come together to create one cohesive, moody, magical quilt. In our conversation, we talk about the creative challenge of collaboration and the fine balance between creating a cohesive whole while still allowing each individual artist’s work to shine.
And yes, Eva gave me a sneak peek at the final layout MONTHS ago, so I am extremely relieved that I can finally talk about this quilt. Keeping that secret has been torture!
Get ready for the *Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler Sew-Along, October 1–31, 2026!
Patterns are available at the link below, and kits will be available through several retailers. When you purchase the pattern, you’ll also get the opportunity to unlock a bonus block by solving a riddle. Because obviously, a magical sampler needs a little mystery.
And there’s more! When you finish your own Grimoire Sampler, I’ll be offering a special discount for sending your quilt to Sweet Pea Design Company for edge-to-edge quilting. Stay tuned for all the details!
Whether you love quilting, fantasy, dark academia, Art Deco design, or just the magic that happens when creative people work together, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Eva. Please enjoy Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co.! The Grimoire Dark Magic Sampler*
Sew-Along: October 1–31, 2026 🔮 Pattern: https://gingerlyquiltco.com/GRANNYS
Kits: Available through participating retailers (like Sewfinity.com)
Bonus block: Solve the riddle included with your pattern
Finished quilt: Stay tuned for a special Sweet Pea Design Company quilting discount

*Collaborators:*
Block 1 – Quill of Wisdom – Eva Saunders @gingerlyquiltco
Block 2 – Edge of Light – Lauren Metang @palm__creations
Block 3 – Fairy Lights – Erin Nichole @mija.handmade
Block 4 – Bookbound Demon – Jennifer Larimore @nerdynquilty
Block 5 – Enchanted Rose – Amber Elliot @alderwoodstudio
Block 6 – Drink of Destiny – Kelsey Swatske @white_rosedesigns
Block 7 – Dragon’s Flight – Rebecca Halvorsen @quiltbynight
Block 8 – Fractured Crystal – Chris Marchini @rosecityoriginals
Block 9 – Enchanted Elixirs – Adrianna Jaffrani @gettingjazzywithitig
Block 10 – Raven Skull – Glynis Thompson @quiltcorepatterns
Block 11 – Gilded Serpent – Sofia Natty @sofianatty.nyc
Block 12 – Midnight Flame – Sarah Pitcher @quiltnsew / Pitcher’s Boutique
Block 13- Creature of the Night – Cole Whitaker @colesquilts
Bonus Block Love Interest – Glynis Thompson @quiltcorepatterns

Sponsors
Art Gallery Fabrics -- https://www.artgalleryfabrics.com/
Aurifil -- https://www.aurifil.com/

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

What if the quilts we make today become the history someone studies 100 years from now?
Quilt historian Tara Miller joins me to talk about the stories, people, women’s history, and cultural context hidden inside the quilts we’ve inherited. From her work curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce to her journey from technical writing to studying quilt history, this conversation might make you look at quilts a little differently.
Before dedicating herself to quilt history, Tara spent 22 years in the corporate world as a technical writer in the software industry. Along the way, she discovered a deeper passion for understanding quilts not just as objects, but as a way to explore women’s history, culture, creativity, commerce, and everyday life.
Tara first began developing her appreciation for the historical side of quilting through books. In 2018, she joined the American Quilt Study Group, diving even deeper into the study and preservation of quilt history. She also credits a long list of incredible mentors who helped her develop a deep appreciation for textiles and their significance in our past, present, and future.
We talk about what drew Tara to quilt history, what we can learn by looking closely at the textiles that came before us, the importance of preserving these stories, and why understanding the past can change the way we look at the quilts being made today.
Whether you're a quilter, textile lover, history nerd, or simply curious about the stories hidden in the things people make, I hope this conversation inspires you to take a closer look at the quilts around you. Because every quilt has a story. And sometimes, the history is just as fascinating as the quilt itself.
*In this episode:
• Tara’s journey from technical writer to quilt historian
• Curating The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce* at the Bowers Museum
• How books opened the door to quilt history
• The American Quilt Study Group and the study of quilt history
• The importance of mentors and preserving textile knowledge
• Quilts, women’s history, and the stories held in textiles
• Why understanding quilt history can deepen our creative practice today

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 welcoming back a returning friend, Meagan Guite!

Meagan is the Project Coordinator at Ruby Star Society, where she gets a behind-the-scenes look at how fabric collections come to life. From the early conversations and collaborations to the conception of new fabric lines and the final launch, Meagan gets to be part of the process that brings some of our favorite fabrics into the world.

She also plays a hands-on role in deciding how new collections are presented and showcased when they launch, giving her a unique perspective on the business, creativity, and relationships behind the fabric we love.

But Meagan's story has changed since we last talked.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Meagan stepped back from sharing parts of her creative process. In some ways, sharing more would have meant acknowledging something she wasn't quite ready to accept: that she had cancer.

Thankfully, early detection meant that her treatment was successful. Now, Meagan is on the road to healing and looking toward the future with a renewed passion for sewing, quilting, and the community that surrounds them.

Being changed by the experience has given Meagan a new perspective on what she wants from her creative life. She's brimming with ideas and excitement about building meaningful relationships within the quilting industry, starting with local quilt shops and the people who make those communities so special.

This year, Meagan is holding onto one word: peace.

We talk about what it means to find peace in creativity, to reconnect with sewing after a difficult season, and to embrace the humanness of making things with our hands.

In this episode, we talk about:

The behind-the-scenes process of creating fabric collections

Meagan's role at Ruby Star Society

The collaboration and relationships behind fabric design

Returning to sewing with a renewed sense of excitement

Finding your way back to creativity after a difficult season

Building meaningful relationships within the quilting community

Supporting local quilt shops

The importance of giving yourself space to heal and change

Finding peace through sewing and quilting

I'm so happy to welcome Meagan back to the show and to hear her talk about where she's been, where she's going, and what she's excited about next.

Please enjoy the return of my friend, Meagan Guite!

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