The Quilt Ninja was born in 2008 When I entered and won First Place in the Virginia Consortium Of Quilter’s (VCQ) Apron Contest. I used Indygo Junction pattern Sewing Smock IJ694, but gave it my own twist by machine embroidering the pockets with quilting designs. I would reach around and grip the ruler from the pocket on my back while simultaneously whipping out my rotary cutter and crying out “Quilt Ninja”! The Quilt Ninja has been my alter ego ever since. This year I remade the vest using the Easy Silhouette Vest IJ730 because I lost 50 pounds.

In 2008 I won first place in the Tidewater Quilters Guild Show, Virginia Beach, VA for Wearable Art. I called it “Head Above Water”. I used the One Block Wonder process for the blocks. I laid down the pattern and designed the blocks over it until I couldn’t see the pattern anymore, then I sewed the blocks together, repined them to the pattern piece and cut out the pattern using Indygo Junction Retro Raglan Jacket IJ764. I thought it looked like water, so I machine embroidered fish swimming on it.

In 2011 I made my “I Love New York” jacket using the Indygo Junction Easy Silhouette Jacket IJ741. I hadn’t lost the weight yet so I enlarged & lengthened it and lined it. I machine embroidered NY items on it such as the Statue of Liberty on the sleeve, etc. On the back I embroidered the Textile Mill behind my grandparents’ house in upstate New York. My tribute to NY.

I guess you can say Indygo Junction Patterns inspire me!