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: Candace Hackett Shively, Art Quilter
Candace Hackett Shively finds stories everywhere, from old blue jean pockets to big world events. Her art quilts mix thoughtful ideas with humor, color, and heart, showing how fabric can…
Spotlight: Amanda Milz, Fiber Artist
Amanda Milz brings quilts to life in surprising ways, turning colorful fabric into one-of-a-kind art and clothing with heart. Inspired by memories, secondhand treasures, and a love of improv quilting,…
Spotlight: Jennifer Marks, Modern Quilter
Jennifer Marks found quilting at exactly the right time. Her bold, modern quilts are full of color, movement, and playful surprises, showing that the best creative journeys often begin by…
Spotlight: Mackenzie Leake, Research Scientist and Quilter
Quilting and computer science might seem like two very different worlds, but Mackenzie Leake brings them together in surprising ways. As a researcher and quiltmaker, she loves solving puzzles, exploring…
Spotlight: Chidinma Dureke, Visual Artist
Chidinma Dureke creates paintings that tell stories about home, identity, and belonging. Growing up between the United States and Nigeria has shaped the way she sees the world, and she…
Spotlight: JPR Stitch, Fine Artist
Meet textile artist JPR Stitch (aka Dr. Jack Roberts) and discover how stitching, balance, and daily practice shaped his unique art. In this interview, he shares how years in the…
Spotlight: Dot Ronaldson, Mixed Media Artist
Some artists carefully plan every stitch, but Dot Ronaldson loves to see where the fabric and paper take her. Inspired by big skies, historic art, painted cloth, and a spirit…
Spotlight: Kathleen Field, Quiltmaker and Textile Designer
From colorful quilts to charming hand embroidery, Kathleen Field has spent decades turning inspiration into stitches. She finds ideas in art, architecture, travel, and the everyday patterns around us. In…
Spotlight: Anne Kelly, Mixed Media Artist
Meet Anne Kelly, a textile artist who turns fabric scraps, vintage treasures, and bits of nature into stitched stories full of hidden surprises. From her cozy garden studio, she layers…
Spotlight: Suzan Morgan, Textile Artist
Art quilts can tell beautiful stories, and Suzan Morgan uses hers to ask big questions about the world around us. Inspired by current events and guided by her heart, she…
Spotlight: Anastasia Zielinski, Multidisciplinary Visual Artist
Anastasia Zielinski finds inspiration everywhere, especially in the quiet beauty of nature. Through colorful paintings, layered fiber art, and welcoming art classes, she reminds us to slow down, look closely,…
Spotlight: Linda Syverson Guild, Fiber Artist
Linda Syverson Guild has been making things since she was a little girl, building dollhouses from cardboard and sewing on her mom's Featherweight machine. Today, she combines her love of…Trending Now
How to Make a Patchwork Tote Bag
A quilted tote bag is the perfect blend of beauty and practicality, a small quilt you can carry everywhere. Whether you love bold patchwork, modern designs, or textured hand stitching,…
DIY Quilted Golf Club Head Cover (Easy Sewing Tutorial)
Golf club head covers don’t have to be plain or store-bought. With a few pieces of quilted fabric and some basic sewing, you can create custom covers that protect your…
Japanese Lotus-Style Kinchaku Bag Pattern & Tutorial
This is my first sewing project on a sewing machine! My sister helped me make these little bags for birthday gifts to my other sisters.
Japanese Knot Bag Pattern: Free Sewing Tutorial
A Japanese knot bag is a clever little handbag that closes with a simple looped handle instead of a zipper or button. It’s an easy sewing project that’s perfect for…
How to Make the Cathedral Window Quilt (2 Beginner Friendly Methods)
Cathedral Window quilts look intricate, elegant, and just a little bit magical — but they're built entirely from folding, pressing, and straight-line stitching. No curved piecing, no templates, no set-in…
Thread Basting vs. Glue Basting for English Paper Piecing: Which Method Is Right for You?
If you're new to English paper piecing (EPP) — or you've been doing it for years but keep hearing quilters argue about the "right" way to baste — this post…Latest Stories on Create Whimsy
Spotlight: Jane Monzures Clauss, DIY Diva
From making pretend stores out of cigar boxes as a little girl to winning Emmy Awards and designing fabric and sewing patterns, Jane Clauss has always followed her creative heart.… Spotlight: Candace Hackett Shively, Art Quilter
Candace Hackett Shively finds stories everywhere, from old blue jean pockets to big world events. Her art quilts mix thoughtful ideas with humor, color, and heart, showing how fabric can…
Spotlight: Sarah Atlee, Improvisational Quilter
Sarah Atlee believes the best ideas don't always come with a plan. As an improvisational quilt artist, she lets color, shape, and texture lead the way, creating work that feels… Spotlight: Jennifer Marks, Modern Quilter
Jennifer Marks found quilting at exactly the right time. Her bold, modern quilts are full of color, movement, and playful surprises, showing that the best creative journeys often begin by… Spotlight: Amanda Milz, Fiber Artist
Amanda Milz brings quilts to life in surprising ways, turning colorful fabric into one-of-a-kind art and clothing with heart. Inspired by memories, secondhand treasures, and a love of improv quilting,… Spotlight: Mackenzie Leake, Research Scientist and Quilter
Quilting and computer science might seem like two very different worlds, but Mackenzie Leake brings them together in surprising ways. As a researcher and quiltmaker, she loves solving puzzles, exploring… Spotlight: Chidinma Dureke, Visual Artist
Chidinma Dureke creates paintings that tell stories about home, identity, and belonging. Growing up between the United States and Nigeria has shaped the way she sees the world, and she… Spotlight: JPR Stitch, Fine Artist
Meet textile artist JPR Stitch (aka Dr. Jack Roberts) and discover how stitching, balance, and daily practice shaped his unique art. In this interview, he shares how years in the… Spotlight: Dot Ronaldson, Mixed Media Artist
Some artists carefully plan every stitch, but Dot Ronaldson loves to see where the fabric and paper take her. Inspired by big skies, historic art, painted cloth, and a spirit… Spotlight: Kathleen Field, Quiltmaker and Textile Designer
From colorful quilts to charming hand embroidery, Kathleen Field has spent decades turning inspiration into stitches. She finds ideas in art, architecture, travel, and the everyday patterns around us. In…
Blacktip Reef Shark Crochet Pattern
Pattern designed by Jacki Donhou from DearJackiStitchery Some sharks look fierce, but this little Blacktip Reef Shark is all smiles! With its soft chenille yarn, sweet face, and signature black-tipped…
How to Make an English Paper Pieced Hexagon Flower Pincushion (Step-by-Step)
If you've been curious about English paper piecing (EPP) but weren't ready to commit to a full quilt, this hexagon flower pincushion is the perfect place to start. It's a… Spotlight: Anne Kelly, Mixed Media Artist
Meet Anne Kelly, a textile artist who turns fabric scraps, vintage treasures, and bits of nature into stitched stories full of hidden surprises. From her cozy garden studio, she layers… Thread Basting vs. Glue Basting for English Paper Piecing: Which Method Is Right for You?
If you're new to English paper piecing (EPP) — or you've been doing it for years but keep hearing quilters argue about the "right" way to baste — this post… Spotlight: Suzan Morgan, Textile Artist
Art quilts can tell beautiful stories, and Suzan Morgan uses hers to ask big questions about the world around us. Inspired by current events and guided by her heart, she… Spotlight: Anastasia Zielinski, Multidisciplinary Visual Artist
Anastasia Zielinski finds inspiration everywhere, especially in the quiet beauty of nature. Through colorful paintings, layered fiber art, and welcoming art classes, she reminds us to slow down, look closely,… Spotlight: Linda Syverson Guild, Fiber Artist
Linda Syverson Guild has been making things since she was a little girl, building dollhouses from cardboard and sewing on her mom's Featherweight machine. Today, she combines her love of…
Spotlight: Mimi Czajka Graminski, Multidisciplinary Artist
Mimi Czjka Graminski's work invites us to slow down and look closely. Using fabric, light, found objects, and even logs, she creates sculptures and installations that feel alive with movement.…
Spotlight: Heidi Zielinski, Fiber Artist
Heidi Zielinski turns fabric, thread, and found textures into beautiful abstract quilts inspired by the natural world. Growing up surrounded by the mountains of Montana gave her a lifelong love…