In The Spotlight!
At Create Whimsy, we share the stories of makers. Learn about their creative journeys, inspirations and more! Browse all of our Spotlight Stories.
Spotlight: Evette Allerdings, Silk Painter & Fiber Artist
Silk painter and textile artist Evette Allerdings shares the stories, memories, and bold creative leaps that shape her vibrant work. From childhood kimonos to cross-country fabric hunts to finding her…
Spotlight: Shelley Koss, Fiber Artist
Shelley Koss has been making art for as long as she can remember, exploring everything from fiber and thread to watercolor. Her work is rich with texture, color, and storytelling,…
Spotlight: Ethylene Ziegler, Improv Quilter
When Ethylene Ziegler first picked up sewing, it was simply to make pajamas for her kids. Those leftover fabric scraps sparked something much bigger. Now an award-winning modern quilter, Ethylene…
Spotlight, Simone Steuxner, Award Winning Quilter
Simone Steuxner’s creative life is shaped by wild landscapes, soft northern light, and a deep love for both quilting and photography. In this interview, she shares how growing up in…
Spotlight: Mattea Jurin, Fiber Artist
Mattea Jurin lets her fabrics do the talking—sometimes quite literally. In this conversation, she shares how a lifetime of cross-continental living, an overflowing stash, and a fearless creative spirit shaped…
Spotlight: Susana Vizcarra, Textile Artist
From her early days learning crochet and embroidery to her deeply personal quilts made from repurposed fabrics, textile artist Susana Vizcarra stitches emotion and memory into every piece. Rooted in…
Spotlight: Susan Polansky, Textile Artist
Through her intricate textile art designs and deeply personal storytelling, artist Susan Polansky explores emotion, memory, and the human experience. Her work blends precision with heart—drawing from life’s joys and…
Spotlight: Becca Fenstermaker, Quilter and Storyteller
For quilt designer and storyteller Becca Fenstermaker, creativity begins close to home, on her family’s cranberry farm in southern New Jersey. Surrounded by nature and family history, Becca transforms inspiration…
Spotlight: Dale Tomlinson, Contemporary Quilt Artist
When textile artist Dale Tomlinson first studied with Nancy Crow, everything changed — the ruler went away, and freedom arrived. Since then, Dale has embraced bold color, improvisation, and the…
Spotlight: Olivia Arreguín Villa, Fiber Artist
Olivia Arreguín Villa is a textile artist who works with fiber, color, and everyday stories. She explores macrame, weaving, crochet, and embroidery as ways to think, care, and connect. Through…
Spotlight: Rachel Rossi, Quilt Pattern and Textile Designer
Rachel Rossi designs quilt patterns and fabric lines, blending creativity, family, and purpose. From early sewing adventures to launching her own design business, she’s built a life centered on making…
Spotlight: Jen Strauser, Textile Artist
Meet Jen Strauser — a self-proclaimed “chaotic maker” who brings humor, heart, and a love of color to every quilt she stitches. From her early days sewing with her grandma…Trending Now
How to Make an EPP Moravian Star Ornament
EPP Moravian Star Ornaments made with diamonds are an adaptation of an 1830's geometry lesson. The first known star, made in a German boys' school had 110 points! This version…
How to Make A Ruana
A ruana is a heritage garment that is similar to ponchos worn in South American countries. It's easy to make and comfortable - no pattern needed!
How to Make a Quilt Coat: Sew a Patchwork Jacket
We've seen beautiful fashions made from thrift finds, including quilt coats and patchwork jackets. In this article, I'll explain the basics of how to make a quilted coat, including tips…
How to Make a No-Sew Fabric Scandinavian Star Ornament
Learn how to make a Scandinavian star ornament from fabric with our step-by-step tutorial. You use four fabric strips to make these stars and can use one, two, three or…
Make a Crazy Quilted Pumpkin
When asked to “decorate an art pumpkin” for a local arts alliance exhibit, what’s a fiber artist to do? Add the personal challenge of using materials already in my studio.…
Maple Leaf Quilt Block: Free Tutorial for 5 Sizes
The maple leaf quilt block is a simple nine patch quilt block made from solid squares, half square triangles and a square with a center stripe. The classic maple leaf…
How to Make a Jelly Roll Rug
I had seen and admired the beautiful and colorful pictures of jelly roll rugs and wanted to try to make one for myself! Spoiler alert - it is a lot…
How to Make a Bowl Cozy: Free Pattern Tutorial
Bowls come in a variety of sizes. Many of the bowl cozy patterns and tutorials only give you directions for one or two sizes. In this article, I'm going to…
How to Sew a Potholder: Easy and Quick DIY Tutorial
Make your own cute potholders with our easy and quick tutorial. First, we'll show you how to sew a simple quilted potholder from leftover and orphan quilt blocks. Then, we'll…Latest Stories on Create Whimsy
Spotlight: Evette Allerdings, Silk Painter & Fiber Artist
Silk painter and textile artist Evette Allerdings shares the stories, memories, and bold creative leaps that shape her vibrant work. From childhood kimonos to cross-country fabric hunts to finding her…
Spotlight: Christina Lee, Quilt Pattern Designer
Christina Lee brings a thoughtful, quiet, determined energy to everything she makes, from music to quilting to running Sweet Potato Quilts. In this interview, she shares how early piano lessons… Spotlight, Simone Steuxner, Award Winning Quilter
Simone Steuxner’s creative life is shaped by wild landscapes, soft northern light, and a deep love for both quilting and photography. In this interview, she shares how growing up in… Spotlight: Shelley Koss, Fiber Artist
Shelley Koss has been making art for as long as she can remember, exploring everything from fiber and thread to watercolor. Her work is rich with texture, color, and storytelling,… Spotlight: Ethylene Ziegler, Improv Quilter
When Ethylene Ziegler first picked up sewing, it was simply to make pajamas for her kids. Those leftover fabric scraps sparked something much bigger. Now an award-winning modern quilter, Ethylene…
Spotlight: Victoria Carley, Textile Artist
Victoria Carley’s path to textile art isn’t a straight line—more like a series of quiet turns that eventually clicked into place. With roots in watercolor, paper sculpture, and landscape architecture,… Spotlight: Mattea Jurin, Fiber Artist
Mattea Jurin lets her fabrics do the talking—sometimes quite literally. In this conversation, she shares how a lifetime of cross-continental living, an overflowing stash, and a fearless creative spirit shaped…
Spotlight: Renée Fleuranges-Valdes, Fiber Artist
Renee Fleuranges-Valdes brings her whole heart to her art, and her stories are stitched just as richly as her quilts. Renee’s journey is rooted in joy, resilience, and deep reflection.… Spotlight: Susana Vizcarra, Textile Artist
From her early days learning crochet and embroidery to her deeply personal quilts made from repurposed fabrics, textile artist Susana Vizcarra stitches emotion and memory into every piece. Rooted in… Spotlight: Becca Fenstermaker, Quilter and Storyteller
For quilt designer and storyteller Becca Fenstermaker, creativity begins close to home, on her family’s cranberry farm in southern New Jersey. Surrounded by nature and family history, Becca transforms inspiration…
Spotlight: Carly Mul, Freestyle Color Collage Quilter
From growing up surrounded by fabric in her parents’ clothing shops in the Netherlands to creating bold, joyful textile collages, Carly Mul’s journey with color and cloth feels meant to… Spotlight: Dale Tomlinson, Contemporary Quilt Artist
When textile artist Dale Tomlinson first studied with Nancy Crow, everything changed — the ruler went away, and freedom arrived. Since then, Dale has embraced bold color, improvisation, and the…
How to Crochet a Granny Square: Step-by-Step Instructions
Granny squares are everywhere again - blankets, bags, tops, pillows, and even street fashion all feature the classic granny square. Why are granny squares perfect for beginners? They are small… Spotlight: Jen Strauser, Textile Artist
Meet Jen Strauser — a self-proclaimed “chaotic maker” who brings humor, heart, and a love of color to every quilt she stitches. From her early days sewing with her grandma… Spotlight: Olivia Arreguín Villa, Fiber Artist
Olivia Arreguín Villa is a textile artist who works with fiber, color, and everyday stories. She explores macrame, weaving, crochet, and embroidery as ways to think, care, and connect. Through… Spotlight: Susan Polansky, Textile Artist
Through her intricate textile art designs and deeply personal storytelling, artist Susan Polansky explores emotion, memory, and the human experience. Her work blends precision with heart—drawing from life’s joys and… Spotlight: Rachel Rossi, Quilt Pattern and Textile Designer
Rachel Rossi designs quilt patterns and fabric lines, blending creativity, family, and purpose. From early sewing adventures to launching her own design business, she’s built a life centered on making…
Spotlight: Lauri Jones, Artist, Maker, Stitcher, Teacher
From graphic and motion design to art quilting, Lauri Jones has followed her curiosity wherever it leads. Her bold, layered quilts draw on years of creative exploration, blending structure, motion,…
Christmas Cactus Raw-Edge Appliqué Quilt Pattern: Free Tutorial
Christmas cacti are popular around the holidays with their festive red and green colors and blooms just in time for the celebrations (we hope)! They are a fresh twist on…