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 shaped her approach to creativity, why her “organized chaos” studio works perfectly for her, and how she balances a full life without losing joy.
Growing up, what sorts of creative activities did your family do, and how did that shape you?
I started taking piano lessons when I was five years old. It was one of the first experiences that made me realize that when I saw people play piano, it looked fun and easy, but the reality was very different. There was a level of difficulty that required commitment and practice. Even though I did not enjoy practicing, I learned that not everything is easy and that very few things come naturally. Most progress happens behind closed doors.
That early experience shaped how I think today. Practice is a lifelong process, and I have spent many years learning to accept that results and perfection do not appear right away.
When you begin a new pattern, what’s the first thing you do — sketch, pick fabric, or something else?
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I use a combination of graph paper and computer software to design my quilts, including Adobe Illustrator and EQ8.
Which quilt you’ve made feels most like “you,” and why?
I love my Sweetheart Medley Quilt Pattern. It is a tessellation of hearts, and it looks complicated when you think about staying organized with fabric and piecing.
With the fabric labels (included in the pattern), I can keep everything organized and make the process simple. I also love that the pattern highlights my favorite prints and colors, which makes it feel very true to who I am as a quilter.
Describe your creative space.
My creative space is organized chaos. It may look messy, but it is productive, full of my favorite colors, and completely functional. The mix of pastel and earthy tones makes it feel like home, and everything is arranged in a way that supports how I work as a quilter. I love it because it is a perfect representation of me.
You juggle a lot. How do you divide time between a full-time job, music, and running Sweet Potato Quilts?
I think the benefit of having a lot to do is that there is no time to worry about anything. I move from one thing to the next, and it has worked well with very little burnout.
The main reason is that everything I spend my time on is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid or something I genuinely love doing.
When your schedule is slammed, what gives — and what do you protect no matter what?
I’ve learned to do the best that I can, but to never sacrifice time with my husband and dogs. No matter what is going on, there’s still time to go out, spend time in the mountains, and walk the dogs.
Your Block of the Month and Quilt Club are big parts of your work. What made you start those programs?
When I started quilting, I spent a lot of time browsing patterns and never felt satisfied with buying a pattern that only let me make one quilt. I kept wondering what would happen if patterns were treated as gateways that helped us imagine more and have a greater say in how our quilts look.
That idea led me to form the Sweet Potato Quilt Club with mix and match blocks. It felt like the perfect way to give quilters the freedom to play with block patterns and feel completely confident in what they want to make.
What advice from your heart would you give to a maker who wants to grow a business but is scared to start?
I would encourage them to think about why they want to start and take time to look closely at their motivations compared to their fears. Having an honest conversation with yourself and looking at both sides can help you see whether this is something that will feel overwhelming or something you truly believe you can do.
Where can people see your work?
Visit my site at (link: www.sweetpotatoquilts.com), or find me on Instagram, YouTube, and TIKTOK @sweetpotatoquilts.
Interview posted November 2025
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