Our 35th Designer Spotlight takes us to Locust Grove, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, where Maureen Garner runs Maureen Garner Quilts. Before quilting became her business, she spent a whole career in nutrition, first as a Registered Dietitian in hospitals and later in product management and marketing.
She took her first quilt class back in 1987, became a Master Knitter along the way, and in 2020 discovered improv quilting, which changed everything. She retired in 2024 and entered what she calls her quilt business era. She is also the curator of Color Lab, the palette of 16 Bella Solids by Moda for this month's QuiltInk Challenge.
Personal Background
Maureen, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?
I live in Locust Grove, Georgia, a town just south of Atlanta. Before quilting became my business, I had a long career in nutrition. I have a Master's degree in Nutrition and worked as a Registered Dietitian.
For the first half of my career I worked in hospitals, focused on Medical Nutrition Therapy. For the second half, I moved into product management and marketing for nutrition-related businesses.
My husband and I met in college, and we have been married for 43 years. We have two adult children, Caitlin and Brent, an amazing son-in-law, Bon, and the world's best grandson, Quinn.
I retired in 2024, and that is when I entered what I like to call my quilt business era.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I took my first quilt class during spring break while I was in grad school, back in 1987, and I was hooked right away. Quilting was my main hobby for years, until the kids became preteens and we were always on the go. I needed a more portable project, so I started knitting, and I even became a Master Knitter.
In 2016 I went back to quilting, but to be honest, I was not a very good piecer. My finished quilts didn't always match what I had pictured in my head.
Then, in 2020, I started improv quilting, and it changed everything. I loved the feeling of my heart soaring as I got lost in a piece.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
Honestly, I fell into designing by accident. The more improv I did, the better my precision piecing became, and that led me to start making patterns for my own use.
Then I was gifted an antique quilt that had been part of my mother-in-law's collection. I was fascinated by the block, and it took me a while to figure out how to make it. Once I did, I realized I could change the center of the stars and create a totally different look. I made the quilt for myself, but when it was finished, I knew it needed to be a pattern.
My next two patterns were born in design classes I took with Jenny Haynes of Papper, Sax, Sten. Again, I planned to make them just for me, and again they became patterns. My latest pattern was inspired by a wallpaper sample. I started sketching it out with pen and paper, and then I moved it into EQ8.
All this to say, I never know where inspiration will come from. I play, and I let the world around me inspire me.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
My style is traditional blocks with a modern twist. I do a lot of curved piecing in my patterns, and I like to design patterns that let quilters explore their own artistry.
Color
How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?
Color and color play are essential in all of my designs. Several years ago I realized that understanding color, and how colors influence one another, was the missing piece in my quilts, and I have been studying it ever since, taking every class I could find.
I love ALL colors, even the "ugly" ones. But if I have to choose, my favorite combination is orange and hot pink.
I try to combine bold and dull colors together, and I focus on value to make parts of a quilt pop.
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business? (Membership, notions, courses, etc)
Besides designing patterns, I teach classes and workshops at guilds, retreats and quilt shops. I love helping quilters build confidence, explore new techniques and discover their own creative style.
I am also teaching at QuiltCon 2027, and I am so excited about it!
Online Presence
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces)
You can find me here:
- Instagram: @maureen.garner.quilts
- Etsy shop, where my patterns are available: maureengarnerquilts.etsy.com
- Facebook: Maureen Garner Quilts
- QuiltInk: my patterns, ready to color
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you're working on? What can people expect from your work in the near future? Any exciting collaborations or events?
In January I am going to start offering online workshops. The first one is Color Lab, where we will explore color, value and color relativity together.
Color Lab is also the name of the palette I curated for this month's QuiltInk Challenge, and the winner of the challenge will get a free spot in the workshop!
QuiltInk Experience
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
Quilters love being able to mock up my patterns in QuiltInk, and I get so much positive feedback about it.
I tend to make my color choices at the design wall while I am making a quilt. Being able to use actual fabric colors in QuiltInk for my mock-ups has made that process so much easier. My mock-ups give me a starting point. I might still make a change or two at the wall, because in the end I rely on my color intuition.