Courtney Zerizef started using a sewing machine in her mid-20s. For Courtney, creating something is where she feels the most at peace. It’s where her brain can finally turn off, and she can just be — and make something beautiful in the process.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I started quilting about six years ago when my son was born. Like a lot of first time parents, we nested hard. But unlike a lot of first time parents, we had adopted our son. Because we went through the adoption process I didn’t do a lot of prepping before hand.
When it comes to adoption, you never know if it’s going to go through until you’re all home together. So when we were finally home, and trying to work out life as a family of three, I found myself NEEDING to make something in all the in-between moments.
Nesting turned into making items for his room, which turned into making my first quilt. It didn’t take long to get me hooked. I’ve always liked puzzles, and quilting is like putting together a functional puzzle that you can use forever.
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After I made his first quilt, I made four more of the same triangle pattern for my friends who were having kids.
And soon after that, the pandemic hit. Everyone stayed inside, and I found a fun quilting community online. It became my connection to other women around the country, and also became a way for me to create.
When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
I have had that creative side of me as long as I can remember. I’ve always heard that I got that creative streak from my grandma. She passed away when I was fairly young, but my core memories of her involve doing some type of a craft while visiting her house in South Carolina. We shared a bond through creativity — while our time together was short, our connection was palpable to anyone who saw us together.
I didn’t start using a sewing machine though until I was in my mid-20s. I grew up doing cross stitch, drawing, painting, and in college I got really into photography. I ran my own photography business for a long time. In fact, that’s what put me through grad school!
And now the bulk of my creativity is aimed towards quilting. It’s the best hobby I think because you can put in an hour or two each day and pick up right where you left off the next day (or night in my case).
What inspires you to create?
Honestly, creating something is where I feel the most at peace. It’s where my brain can finally turn off, and I can just exist — and make something beautiful in the process.
And while I’d like to sit here and say that I’m inspired by nature, or my family, or humanity — all of that might be true in part, but where I am in my life right now, creativity is my self-care time. It’s when I can shut down the to-dos, quiet the mind, and just make.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I guess I’m more of an improviser. More often, I will start with a tentative plan and then veer off in my own direction.
Over the years, I have found it the most helpful to set up my space and all of my tools/supplies in a way so that when inspiration strikes, I am ready to create. I find inspiration to ebb and flow. Sometimes my new project is all I can think about, and sometimes I’m stifled and just putzing around my sewing room waiting for that spark to strike. If I’m ready when it does strike, I can really capitalize on that sweet high of creating something that I love.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I’ve become a fat quarter hoarder.
My favorite thing to do is to rifle through the fat quarter shelves at a fabric store and create a pile of fabrics that catch my eye. Generally, I don’t have a plan for them and they just end up in my “to-make” fabric boxes, but once that sweet inspiration strikes, I am ready with a bunch of fabrics that I already love.
I start with fat quarters, and then I use as much of each fabric as I can. I save almost all of my scraps — and I genuinely use them. I’ve turned them into some beautiful improv pieces. I’m working on a checked large throw right now that is made from all the scraps from projects over the last year or two. I wanted to create a quilt that visually told the story of all the projects that came before it.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
I generally have some show playing on my iPad next to my sewing machine. It has to be something that I can half pay attention to. My brain needs to be able to bounce back-and-forth between pattern construction, and the plot of the show. More often than not it’s an action or drama, but lately I have needed something lighthearted to distract me from the real world — Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Nobody Wants This, and Dead to Me have been some top contenders.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
It’s about half-and-half. I’m currently sitting on a handful of WIPs that I’m working hard to complete. If it’s for a gift or there is a time constraint (like Christmas or finishing for a class I’m teaching), I’m pretty good about procrastinating until the last minute and then staying up way too late and finishing just in the nick of time.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I like to think that I work on one project at a time, but as I sit here writing this, I’m looking around my sewing room and seeing about four active projects going at one time. … so I guess I don’t know myself as well as I like to think I do.
I find that there is a time in every project when I get to the phase of “is this actually going to work out?” “these colors don’t look as good as I thought it would in my head”. That’s often when my brain starts to trail off into the next project. And I suppose sometimes I just can’t help myself. I get started on the next thing before I finish what was meant to be.
And if I’m getting really deep, I think this is a good metaphor for life in general. There are so many times when I try to jump ahead. “What are we doing next weekend?” “Next year, when our son is x age, we should sign him up for skiing”. It’s so easy to get sucked into the next thing instead of trusting the process, and sticking with what’s in front of you (me) now.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Enjoy the process.
While finished pieces are fun to display or use as your family keepsake, it’s finding enjoyment in the process itself that will keep you coming back. It gives you the freedom to do the work for yourself and takes the pressure off the result.
Do you lecture or teach workshops? How can students/organizers get in touch with you to schedule an event?
I teach classes about six or seven times a year at Modern Domestic in Portland. Most classes are quilting classes, but I do have an improv quilted bag coming up in the spring/summer.
I love being able to share my passion with others who are just getting started, or who have also found the same passion for quilting or sewing.
One of my favorite things about quilting is the connection that it brings. Not just to people who quilt now, but the connection to quilters from generations past. It’s like this kinship that connects (mostly) women across space and time. All of us creating something beautiful from nothing — something that is meant to warm our homes, our families and friends — to give them something that they can wrap around themselves and soak up all the love that we put into making it.
Where can people see your work?
The best place to keep up with all my creative makes and quilting is on Instagram:@anokaymaker
I also want to shout out a donation drive that I am trying to spread awareness for right now. The largest donor will receive a quilt that I made which was inspired by the scenery in Wyoming (where I was born and raised). The donation drive is aimed to support marginalized groups in Wyoming, and highlights some AMAZING organizations doing the hardest on the ground work. Information to donate and participate in the raffle is HERE.
Interview posted January 2025
Browse through more inspiring quilts on Create Whimsy.