About

I live on the Big Island of Hawaii surrounded by the azure Pacific ocean and a garden full of exuberant tropical fruit and flowers.

Inspiration abounds right out the door of my studio. I have been a gardener most of my life and quilting is an extension of my passion for plants. I am compelled to make quilts that reflect the beauty and diversity of the islands.

I was introduced to Japanese design, Sashiko, and the fine art of quilt making by my mother Kitty PIppen, who has been my inspiration and mentor all my life. We co-authored a book together, Asian Elegance: Quilting with Japanese Fabrics and More.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, migrated east to the Berkshires in New England where we raised our family. After 25 winters, we sold the 40 acre farm and bought an old 40 foot sailboat. With power from a wind generator and a sturdy old metal Pfaff machine, I mended sails and made some of my best early quilts in cramped quarters and bad light!

My quilts took on a tropical twist when we landed in Hawaii and I worked as a gardener at the National Tropical botanical Garden on Kauai. Unable to balance my two passions, I turned to teaching and designing patterns and fabric kits full time and now garden for fun, flowers, and food.

I love to teach and introduce Sashiko to students of all ages, especially at home in my big airy studio 2 blocks from the ocean. I offer design, sashiko and appliqué workshops, retreats, lectures and trunk shows in Hawaii and on the neighbor Islands, mainland, and Canada. A trip to Australia is in the works for October 2011.

I hope my quilt designs will inspire you to make your own one-of-a-kind quilts!