Not Your Granny's Quilt Show

In this episode of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m chatting with Becky about her unexpected journey into quilting, how a suitcase full of fabric scraps from Kenya inspired her very first quilt, and how a love of foundation paper piecing eventually turned into designing patterns for other quilters.
Becky describes FPP as the perfect combination of creativity and logic. She loves the puzzle of figuring out how an image can be broken into sections, numbered, and pieced together to create something wonderfully detailed. That combination has led to some seriously fun designs, including her mischievous raccoon pattern, intricate illustrative imagery, and her contribution to the Grimoire Sampler, where she designed the fantastic Dragon’s Flight block.
We also talk about what it's like balancing a career in medicine, motherhood, and a creative business that mostly happens after bedtime. Becky shares how the quilting community has helped her build friendships and connections, why she appreciates the generosity of other designers, and how seeing other people make her patterns and put their own spin on them is one of the best parts of designing.
This conversation also takes a meaningful turn as we discuss quilting as a form of activism and self-expression. Becky shares the story behind her protest hand pattern and the sew-along that brought hundreds of makers together to create quilts expressing their beliefs, passions, and hopes for change. It's a powerful reminder that quilts can be so much more than beautiful objects. They can give us a way to speak up, connect with others, and put our creative energy toward something that matters.
And because no quilting conversation would be complete without a helpful tip, Becky wraps things up with a practical foundation paper piecing trick for preventing dark fabrics from showing through lighter fabrics in your seams. FPP fans, you'll want to stick around for this one!
In this episode, we talk about:
How Becky went from making her first quilt with fabric scraps collected in Kenya to designing foundation paper piecing patterns
What makes foundation paper piecing such a fun combination of creativity and problem-solving
The inspiration behind her popular mischievous raccoon pattern
Designing detailed, illustrative FPP patterns and turning images into fabric
Balancing family medicine, motherhood, and a creative business
The importance of community, collaboration, and supporting fellow quilt designers
Her Dragon’s Flight block for the Grimoire Sampler
Using foundation paper piecing and quilting as tools for creative expression and activism
The story behind her protest hand pattern and the community sew-along
Giving yourself permission to experiment, make mistakes, and figure things out as you go
A practical FPP tip for preventing fabric ghosting when sewing light and dark fabrics together
About Becky Halvorsen | Quilt by Night
Becky Halvorsen is a family medicine doctor, quilter, and foundation paper piecing pattern designer behind Quilt by Night. Her detailed, illustrative FPP designs combine her love of creativity with a logical, puzzle-solving approach to pattern design. She creates her patterns around a busy life in medicine and motherhood, often fitting in her creative work after the day is done.
Find Becky and explore her foundation paper piecing patterns:
Instagram: @quiltbynight
If you love foundation paper piecing, detailed quilt designs, creative problem-solving, or hearing how makers find room for creativity in busy lives, this episode is for you!
Enjoying Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show?
👍 Like this episode and subscribe for more conversations with quilters, artists, designers, and creative people from all walks of life.
💬 Leave a comment and tell us what you're working on!
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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
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Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow
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What if making something with your hands could do more than give you a finished project? What if it could help you reconnect with yourself, quiet the noise, reclaim your imagination, and change the way you move through the world?
In this episode of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, author, professor, and maker, to talk about the power of creative practice and her book, In Our Hands: A Maker’s Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices.
Bonnie makes a compelling case for why creativity isn't a luxury, an indulgence, or something we should squeeze into whatever time is left after everything else gets done. Making is part of being human. Whether you're quilting, painting, photographing, gardening, coding, or experimenting with something completely new, creative expression gives us a way to explore ideas, process emotions, and connect with ourselves in ways that words alone sometimes cannot.
We talk about the wisdom of our hands, the relationship between creativity and mental well-being, and how a creative practice can offer a little refuge from the constant noise of screens, productivity culture, and everyday responsibilities. Bonnie shares why protecting our imagination matters, how to make room for creativity in our homes and lives, and why being willing to look a little foolish is an important part of learning something new.
We also dig into the idea of pruning what no longer serves us to make room for growth, the importance of arts education, and why nurturing our ability to create feels especially meaningful in a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.
This conversation is a reminder that you don't have to be an artist, have a dedicated studio, or make something impressive to benefit from creativity. You just have to give yourself permission to begin.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why making things by hand can help us reconnect with ourselves
The connection between creative practice, mindfulness, and mental well-being
Why creativity should be treated as an essential part of life, not just a hobby
How quilting, painting, photography, coding, and other creative outlets can help us express ourselves
Making space for creativity at home, even when you don't have a dedicated studio
The value of being a beginner and embracing the “glorious awkwardness” of learning
Letting go of what no longer serves you so new ideas and growth can take shape
Why imagination and arts education are worth protecting
How creative practice can help us find agency and hope in a complicated world
About Bonnie Smith Whitehouse
Bonnie Smith Whitehouse is an author and professor whose work explores the connections between creativity, making, imagination, and the human experience. Her book, In Our Hands: A Maker’s Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices, invites readers to recognize the power of their own creative instincts and make room for meaningful creative practices in everyday life.
📖 Find Bonnie’s book: In Our Hands: A Maker’s Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices
If this conversation inspires you to pick up a project, try something new, or make a little more room for creativity in your life, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Enjoying Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show?
👍 Like this episode and subscribe to the channel for more conversations with quilters, artists, makers, and creative people from all walks of life.
💬 Leave a comment and tell us what you're making!
📲 Share this episode with a creative friend who could use a little encouragement to make something.
#CreativePractice #Creativity #MindfulMaking #QuiltingCommunity #NotYourGrannysQuiltShow

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

Quilting isn't just about making a beautiful quilt. It's about finding your people, learning something new, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the process, mistakes and all!
This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m chatting with *Karen Brown of Just Get It Done Quilts, one of the most recognizable educators in the online quilting community. @JustGetitDoneQuilts But Karen didn't start out as a master quilter. She started as a sewist looking for a creative outlet during a challenging season of life, jumped into quilting with a king-size quilt, and learned a few things the hard way. Sound familiar?
Since launching her YouTube channel, Karen has helped quilters tackle beginner mistakes, improve their accuracy, manage their fabric stashes, and discover clever sewing hacks. In our conversation, we talk about how her channel grew, what she learned along the way, and why sharing what you know is so much more rewarding than competing with other creators.
We also get into the bigger picture of quilting: why there's room for every skill level and style, how modern tools make the craft more accessible, and why quilting is absolutely not a dying art. Plus, we talk about the emotional power of handmade quilts, the connections they create, and why a quilt is so much more than a blanket. It's a little bit of love, comfort, and safety you can wrap around someone.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Karen discovered quilting during a challenging time in her life
- The early quilting mistakes that taught her valuable lessons
- How Just Get It Done Quilts grew from a few videos into a go-to quilting resource
- Sewing hacks, stash management, accurate piecing, and learning the basics
- Why you don't have to be a master quilter to enjoy the craft
- How quilting tools and technology open up new creative possibilities
- The importance of sharing knowledge instead of competing with other creators
- Why handmade quilts are meant to be used, loved, and lived with
- The generous, welcoming community that makes quilting so special
Whether you're a brand-new quilter, a seasoned maker, or someone who just loves learning from other creative people, this conversation is a reminder that there's no single right way to be a quilter. Find Karen and her quilting tutorials at Just Get It Done Quilts* on YouTube, and join us for a conversation full of practical wisdom, laughs, and appreciation for everything this craft has to offer.
If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a quilting friend. It helps more people find the show and keeps these conversations going!
Thanks for watching and listening.

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

On this episode of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m chatting with contemporary fiber artist Mindy Brown about her large-scale art quilts, her creative process, and the questions that keep her work evolving. Mindy builds her practice around sustained inquiry, returning to ideas and visual elements to discover what else they might become. Her work combines improvisation, bold color, and thoughtful experimentation, including the smaller “snapshots” she creates from her larger pieces.
We also talk about hand-dyed fabric and color gradients, including how Mindy’s search for just the right colors led her to create Saturation Point, her own hand-dyed fabric business. Plus, we get into the realities of balancing art with a full-time job, making dedicated studio time, and finding fulfillment in the work itself.
And because no conversation about contemporary quilting would be complete without a little quilt-show talk, we share some thoughts on exhibiting, judging, and why getting into a show should never determine the value of your art.
Mindy brings plenty of honesty, strong opinions, and thoughtful perspective to this conversation. Whether you make traditional quilts, art quilts, or something that doesn’t fit neatly into either category, there’s inspiration here to help you keep experimenting and make time for the creative work that matters to you.
In this episode:
Mindy Brown’s journey into contemporary fiber art
Large-scale art quilts and sustained inquiry
Improvisation, experimentation, and knowing when a piece is finished
Hand-dyed fabrics, color theory, and Saturation Point
Balancing a full-time career with a dedicated art practice
Quilt shows, judging, and separating artistic worth from outside validation
Making time for creativity and following through on your ideas
Find Mindy Brown and her hand-dyed fabrics through Saturation Point, and explore more of her work online.
Thanks for watching Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show! If you enjoyed this conversation, like the video, subscribe, and share it with a fellow quilter who could use a little creative inspiration.

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 quilting could be more than patterns and precise piecing? What if fabric, paint, and stitch could help you discover your own artistic voice? 🎨🧵
This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, Amanda sits down with textile artist, author, and educator Deborah Boschert to talk about art quilt collage, creative exploration, and the updated 10th anniversary edition of her book, Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint, and Stitch.
Deborah shares how she moved from traditional pieced quilts to the colorful, mixed-media art quilts she’s known for today. We talk about making art more approachable, finding inspiration in everyday images, experimenting with surface design, and using her eight design guides to move past the dreaded blank page.
We also get into the importance of finding your creative voice, why you don’t need an art degree to be an artist, and how recognizing your strengths can help you make work that feels uniquely yours. Plus, Deborah shares her perspective on entering quilt shows, judging and exhibiting artwork, teaching creative workshops, and learning to appreciate quilts beyond whether they match your personal taste.
And don't miss Deborah’s two practical tips for your own creative practice: give yourself permission to clear out what no longer serves you, and make visual decisions visually. Sometimes you just have to put the fabric on the design wall and see what happens!
Whether you're curious about art quilting, ready to experiment beyond traditional quilt patterns, or simply looking for a little creative inspiration, this conversation will encourage you to explore what's possible with the materials and skills you already have.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Deborah’s quilting journey and the discovery of raw-edge fused appliqué
Art quilt collage using fabric, paint, and stitch
What’s new in the updated 10th anniversary edition of Art Quilt Collage
Eight design guides to help you get started with composition
Finding inspiration and developing your own creative voice
Why you don’t need a formal art education to make original artwork
Quilt shows, judging, exhibiting, and sharing your work
The benefits of in-person and virtual creative workshops
Making space for new ideas and experimenting with your materials
CONNECT WITH DEBORAH BOSCHERT
Find Deborah’s artwork, books, workshops, and more through her website https://www.deborahsstudio.com/publications and social media https://www.instagram.com/deborahboschert/
📚 Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint, and Stitch is getting an updated second edition, with new images, examples, and insights from Deborah’s years of making and teaching.
If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, leave a review, and share it with a creative friend who could use a little inspiration!
#ArtQuilting #ArtQuiltCollage #QuiltingPodcast #QuiltArtist #ModernQuilting #TextileArt #CreativeProcess

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