Jackie Pang came upon a quilt shop and was captivated by the colors and textures. She took some classes to learn the basics of quilting and now creates award-winning modern quilts.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I worked as an Art Director for years in advertising agencies and corporate settings. My first encounter with quilting was in 2017, shortly after I moved to Nashville from Hong Kong.
One day, while exploring my neighborhood, I came across a beautiful store called Craft South. There were several uniquely designed quilts hanging in the windows. Once I entered the store, I saw bright sunlight pouring through the front windows, illuminating rows of vibrant, neatly organized fabrics. At the far end of the store, I noticed an open classroom filled with sewing machines and, by chance, saw the owner, Anna Maria Parry. I said hello without realizing how famous and incredibly talented she was at the time.
I was instantly captivated by everything in the store and decided I had to take a class there. That’s where I learned free-motion quilting and paper piecing. I also bought my first sewing machine from them. To this day, I’m still grateful to Anna Maria—without her, I might never have discovered the WONDERLAND OF QUILTING.
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After about a year and a half, I left Nashville and moved to LA, then Germany. During those years, I didn’t do any sewing until 2021, when my husband and I relocated back to the United States, in California Bay Area just as the pandemic began. That’s when I started working at a local quilt shop called Golden State Quilting, located in Campbell, California.
That experience was transformative. I rapidly gained quilting knowledge—from learning basic jargon like HSTs, QSTs, and flying geese, to mastering longarm quilting. I’m deeply thankful to the owners, Buff and Sonja, my coworkers, and the wonderful customers who have supported my work and designs. Their encouragement nurtured me into the confident quilter I am today.
When did you first realize you were a creative person?
Like most kids, I loved drawing on every surface I could find and making crafts like clay dolls and paper cuttings. Anything related to art always captured my attention.
I remember when I was about 10, I recreated a black-and-white image using a typewriter. I used different letters to mimic shading—like “M” for dark areas and “I” for light ones. When I showed it to my art teacher, she was stunned and told me I was incredibly creative for my age. That moment was when I first realized what creativity meant to me.
What kinds of creative projects are your favorites?
Before quilting stole my heart, I was passionate about lampworking with glass beads. But since that requires a very specific studio setup for safety reasons, I couldn’t pursue it extensively—though I still visit a friend’s studio occasionally for fun. I also enjoy making bags with leather, designing my own patterns and sewing them by hand or machine.
I used to hop between hobbies, often losing interest after one to three years when there was nothing new left to learn. But quilting is different—there are countless styles and techniques to explore, besides machine piecing, I love needle turn appliqué too, and the fabric choices are endless. Every day feels like a new discovery.
I often choose or design quilt patterns that are challenging and avoid too much repetition—I get bored easily. I love modifying techniques to create something new and exciting.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I usually plan ahead before starting a project. I like to figure out a solution before jumping in. However, if I discover a better idea or hit a snag mid-process, I’m open to adapting.
When I begin a new quilt design, I start with sketches, then digitize the graphics on my computer. My favorite part is engineering the pattern—figuring out how to turn the visual into a real quilt. That’s where the magic happens for me.
Describe your creative space.
I live in a cozy apartment in Silicon Valley. My “studio” is a 4′ x 6′ sewing table in the living room, and with all my tools and sewing machine, the usable space is about half of that. Sometimes I pull out a folding table for quilting. I don’t have a design wall—just a “design floor.”
There isn’t much natural light in the apartment, so I take my quilt to the quilt store I am working at or outdoors for shooting photos. Despite the limitations, nothing can stop my creativity and my passion about art creations. I believe that one day, I’ll have my own dedicated studio, and I’m working toward that goal.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work on more than one at a time?
I start projects when inspiration suddenly strikes, which happens a lot—so I have a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects)!
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process behind one of your works?
I love visiting museums and studying paintings, sculptures and potteries—whether classical or contemporary. I admire the boldness of modern art and how its visuals can make an impact from a distance. At the same time, I’m deeply inspired by the intricacy and detail of traditional craftsmanship—work that demands close inspection to fully appreciate.
I grew up in Asia but was influenced by Western culture, so many aspects of my life blends “East meets West.” That fusion is intentional in my creations—I like mixing styles, techniques, and materials to create something that feels modern yet pays tribute to traditional artistry. And you can see this perspective from my quilt, “I may be Square but not Fuddy-Duddy”.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is most challenging?
I always begin with research and sketching, followed by digitizing.
When I design the visual, I don’t initially think about how I’ll sew it. My favorite part is engineering the pattern—figuring out which techniques to use and what sizes the pieces should be. It’s so satisfying when it all comes together.
I also love fussy cutting, which fulfills my OCD behaviour, lol!
The most challenging part for me is in the quilting itself. It’s the final step after investing so much time in the design and piecing. One misstep can jeopardize the entire quilt, so it’s definitely a bit stressful.
How did it feel to find out you were a QuiltCon winner?
It was a great deal to me and totally exceeded my expectation.
This award-winning experience may be changing my life. I had been struggling to find direction in my career, but receiving this award gave me the clarity I needed.
I read the email from MQG twice to make sure it wasn’t just a promotional message. Having my quilt accepted into the show felt like a win already.
When I found out I won the Breakthrough Award—and it was my first time attending QuiltCon in person—it was surreal and incredibly meaningful. In those few days, so many people I didn’t know came up to congratulate me. My Instagram exploded with new followers.
But the most special moment was seeing Anna Maria Parry in person again after our first meeting in her store. I got to personally thank her and told her that she introduced me to quilting, and now I had won a reputable award at the show. We were both in tears from excitement. She even interviewed me on the spot and shared it on her Instagram story. It was such an honor—an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Do you approach your work differently for juried shows?
Yes, especially in terms of artistic impact and presentation.
When I make a quilt for personal use or someone else, the quilting patterns are more open and relaxed.
For show quilts, I focus much more on design, color, and especially the quilting. I learned this after entering my first quilt in the Pacific International Quilt Festival in 2023. I quilted it with my usual pattern density. While the quilt was accepted into the show, it didn’t win a ribbon. I realized that compared to award-winning quilts, mine lacked impact. It didn’t hang flat, and shadows were cast due to the lower density of quilting. That experience taught me how crucial quilting density and drape are for show quilts.
Where can people see your work?
You can find me on Instagram at @Charcoalbull, where I mainly show quilting and sewing projects.
I’m excited to share more of my new ideas and designs with you soon.
In my Pinterest account “Jackie Pang” can see my previous craft projects, (Lampwork glass beads, leather craft, seed beading dolls, needle felting and costume accessory designs), here is the link https://pin.it/2rOJF9WP8
Interview posted April 2025
Browse through more modern quilt projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.