When Patricia Caffrey first saw a quilt hanging on a wall, displayed as a piece of art, she knew that was what she wanted to do. She creates textile art with each piece telling a story.
How did you get started designing quilts? Always an artist, or was there a “moment”?
I’ve always been drawn to making things—knitting with my grandmother, designing my own clothes as a teenager, sewing costumes for my sons when they were little.
Textiles have long captivated me—anything handmade, woven, stitched, or crafted has always felt deeply meaningful as it connects us to the maker and a culture.
That love only deepened as I had the privilege of living in many countries, each with its own distinctive visual language and textile traditions. Experiencing such a wide range of aesthetics and craftsmanship opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of fabric as an expressive medium.
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The turning point came in 1997, during a visit to a friend’s home in Japan. As I stepped into her house, I was immediately struck by a quilt hanging on the wall—displayed not as a functional object, but as a piece of art.
It stopped me in my tracks. A quilt as art—and it absolutely belonged there. The instant I saw it, I knew: this was what I wanted to do. That single encounter profoundly changed the course of my creative life.
Since then, quilting has become my language—my way of interpreting memory, culture, history, and experience. Each piece is a kind of dialogue between materials and meaning, shaped by the visual influences I’ve absorbed throughout my life.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
I’m a storyteller at heart, and I use my work to give voice to those whose histories and experiences have been silenced or overlooked.
In the past, I’ve explored the lives of the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego, who faced devastating consequences after European contact, the Cherokees who lived where my home now stands, and Spanish refugees interned in French camps during WWII. More recently, I’ve turned to celebrating women’s creativity expressed through domestic and often invisible forms of artistry.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I’m definitely an improviser.
I love working with fabric—whether commercially made or hand-dyed by other artists—and I let the fabric guide me.
I try to bring out the inherent beauty of each piece of cloth, allowing the materials to shape the direction of the work. That said, I do set parameters like color palettes or dimensions to create cohesion.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
I finish most of what I start, but I also believe in letting go of a piece if it no longer feels meaningful or successful.
Sometimes I revisit abandoned works with fresh eyes. I’ve even cut up completed quilts to salvage elements or turn them into pillows.
I hate to throw anything away, but I don’t like to accumulate things just for the sake of it. So I do try to give my discarded quilts a new life in a different form.
Describe your creative space.
My sewing room is just off the kitchen, which suits me perfectly because I also love to cook. It’s filled with natural light from two large windows that look out onto trees and a stream behind our townhome.
Over the years, I’ve rearranged the space many times and finally landed on a layout that works. My husband helped outfit the room with extra lighting, a full display wall, and lots of custom shelving—because I always seem to need more storage!
We even removed the closet door to make the space more functional. I’ve filled it with IKEA furniture that’s both practical and efficient. I love it.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I’m definitely a saver. It’s hard for me to throw away fabric—I’m always finding ways to reuse and repurpose scraps.
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating something new from what I already have. I try to buy new fabric only when I truly need it.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies?
I usually work in silence. I find that quiet helps me focus. I’ve thought about experimenting—listening to a single artist or genre through an entire project—but for now, silence supports my creative process best. Podcasts and audiobooks tend to pull my attention away from the work.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I typically focus on one major piece at a time, but I always keep some handwork ready—something portable I can bring along when I travel, meet with quilting friends, or just want to work in front of the TV.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
One of my favorite pieces is Roots. It came from a series where I used eco-printed fabrics and archival photos of the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego. A friend had dyed a piece of fabric with natural plant materials, and the resulting patterns looked like both roots and a flowing dress. I immediately thought of Cristina Calderón, the last native speaker of the Yagán language. I paired the fabric with her image, and the work came together organically. It gave me the chance to incorporate hand stitching, which I love—it allows me to connect physically and emotionally with the fabric, the theme, and the story.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I love the beginning—when the possibilities are wide open and the vision is just starting to form.
The hardest part usually comes midway, when early decisions don’t quite fit the direction the work is taking. That’s when I find myself unpicking stitches and reworking sections. It’s not a frustration as much as a challenge—time-consuming and uncertain, and hopefully worth it.
When you travel, do you create while on planes and in waiting areas? What is in your creative travel kit?
Yes! I’ve been known to hand quilt in airports and in waiting rooms. I always bring some form of handwork when I travel, though I don’t always end up doing much.
Last year, while visiting my brother during a long hospital stay, I brought linen and embroidery thread with me. The blocks I created during that time have become very personal and meaningful—and it’s one very important and meaningful project that I still need to finish.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
Storytelling. Everything I create stems from a desire to tell stories that matter to me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Be gentle. Don’t fight your fabric. Use your fingernails to gently “scratch” the fabric in place when working on positioning fabrics.
How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?
In 2019, I went to the Houston Quilt Festival for the first time and saw a SAQA exhibit. I was blown away by the artistry—it was both surprising and exhilarating. I joined SAQA then and began approaching my work with a more intentional, artistic focus. That experience confirmed the path I had chosen.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I try to sew every day, even if I’m not feeling particularly inspired. We visit all kinds of museums, which often spark ideas. Still, with so much creativity online and in the world, it can be overwhelming. I do my best to listen for my own voice through all that noise—and to keep creating from that place.
Where can people see your work?
You can visit my website at www.patriciacaffrey.com, or find me on Instagram: @patricia.caffrey.
Interview posted May 2025
Browse through more art quilts on Create Whimsy.