Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Mogren.
Hi Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started quilting in 2019 after a long creative hiatus; I’d spent the last 10 or so years working as an ICU nurse, then training and working as a nurse anesthetist. I had grown up creating visual art in my free time, but that past time had quickly fallen to the wayside when I decided to become a nurse. I began to create again in late 2019, because I felt like a part of me was missing. I remember walking through a little shop while on a trip in Mendocino, CA at the time and seeing this beautiful fabric. I longed to buy it and make something with it, but I had no idea how. I had always been afraid to sew- something about it seemed so intimidating and like something that I wouldn’t ever really properly know how to do, because I don’t come from a familial line of quilters or seamstresses, like so many other textile artists do. That was the day I decided to learn. I used a wealth of online resources to fumble my way through a few sewing patterns, and then I made my first quilt. There was no going back from there! I began to share my quilts on Instagram and quickly found a wonderful community of like-minded quilters. I decided to learn how to design my own quilts, and now I have a small business and am about to release my fourth quilt pattern.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, the quilting itself is such a joy to me, that I would say it’s been easy to learn. There are so many resources out there- in the form of online classes, tutorials, and even old books, that if anyone wanted to learn, they certainly could. The more difficult part has been learning how to navigate forming a small business and run a one woman show when it comes to designing, producing, and marketing my art. I spend the vast majority of my time working in a very black and white healthcare setting; learning how to own and navigate a creative business can be very ambiguous, so that’s challenging for me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a modern quilter who designs and writes quilt patterns. Quilting is such a beautiful art with a rich history; quilters often say that there’s nothing truly “new” when it comes to quilt design, and it’s true. I think we all draw from original/traditional quilt designs and conjure up something new when we put our own twist on them, or combine them in new ways.
I think of my style as modern bohemian. I like to create designs that focus on symmetry and make use of negative space. I combine both printed and solid fabrics to create an eclectic yet cohesive, nostalgic look. When I design a quilt, I always force myself to remove at least one element from the design before I call it good. I think design restraint is a bit rare in the quilting world, but I really try to practice restraint so my final designs feel intentional and statement making, rather than busy and chaotic.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think we’ve all noticed a huge trend towards everything patchwork in the fashion world over the past 2 years. Patchwork clothing, shoes, bags, and notebooks are everywhere! I think anything that draws attention to the rich heritage of quilting is a very positive thing overall. So, if anything, I see both quilting as a practiced art and the quilted aesthetic becoming more mainstream. Younger generations are becoming interested, and the pandemic has brought a huge influx of new quilters into the quilting community.
Contact Info:
- Email: amy@ritualquiltcompany.com
- Website: https://ritualquiltcompany.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ritualquiltcompany
Image Credits
1210 Photography
Ritual Quilt Company
