heather jones ~ quite the incredible quilter

Heather Jones is a quilting force to be reckoned with, bringing a beautiful modern twist to traditional patterns. Her designs and handwork are so original and outstanding that she was a winner of the Modern Quilt Guild's Project Modern Challenge with three of her quilts, as well as a finalist in the prestigious Martha Stewart's American Made contest. She recently finished her first line of modern quilting patterns, inspired by everyday places and things that many people wouldn't even notice (think an old metal silo or a painted grid in the parking lot of a big-box retailer). We love how the name of her handmade business ~ Olive & Ollie ~ was named after two special women in her family, her great grandmother Olive and great-great-aunt Ollie, who were strong, independent women who made all sorts of things by hand, and shared my belief that handmade is best. We are incredibly thrilled to have Heather teaching an Improvisational Quilting workshop at the Makerie Sewing that is sure to wrap her students with an abundance of cozy quilted techniques and endless inspiration. Get to know the fabulous, warm and wonderful Heather below.

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What is your favorite food obsession right now?

I really love to bake. There’s nothing more satisfying than making a good piecrust from scratch.

What did you want to be when I grew up? 

For a long time I wanted to be a doctor.

What's for breakfast?

Usually oatmeal, especially when it’s cold outside!

A wish that came true.

Meeting and marrying my soul mate.

What risk are you glad you took?

Starting an etsy shop after the birth of my first child.

If you could learn a creative skill other than your profession, what would it be? 

I’d like to be able to knit or crochet. Or both.

A favorite gift you’ve received.

Photobooks of my children given to me by my husband.

A condiment you love.

Mustard. Spicy, Dijon, Yellow, just not Honey Mustard.

What book do you keep on your coffee table? 

“Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life” by Todd Oldham. Although, it’s not actually on the coffee table, since I’ve got two little ones, but it’s nearby on a shelf.

What you love most about what you do. 

I really love finding inspiration in unexpected places and then bringing that inspiration to life in my designs.  

The most challenging or difficult part about what you do. 

Balancing the work that I need and want to do with being a hands-on mother to my two young children. My children obviously come first, but it’s hard to find the time to do everything that I would like to.

Denyse Schmidt’s “Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration” is at the top of my inspiration library. 

Any tricks for finding life balance? 

I still need to find this! I think it’s a work in progress though, finding what works for you at a particular moment in time.

Any trade secrets/words of wisdom you’d like to divulge? 

Follow your heart, be true and kind to yourself and everyone else.

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Thank you so much Heather!