Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Novacek.
Hi Natalie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
From the time I was a teenager, I wanted to work in theatre. I became a professional theatre director right out of my undergraduate program and spent the next 15 years traveling the country as a freelancer. I was truly living my dream. And then 2019 happened. In one year, a much-beloved Grandma died, my 15-year romantic relationship ended, and a worldwide pandemic officially shut down my entire industry and my theatrical career.
As my world was crashing down around me, I learned to quilt. Quilting gave me a creative outlet, helped me focus my anxious energy, and ultimately paid my bills during the height of the pandemic. It was the daily practice of sewing that calmed me. Amid that calm creativity, my career goals and personality changed. I became a person who no longer wanted to live my life at the speed of being busy.
The constant hustle of life in the theatre didn’t feel exciting and challenging anymore; it felt unrelenting and exhausting. Traveling 75% of the year didn’t feel like an adventure; it felt like the time I was losing with my loved ones. I knew it was time for a change. I’ve always been a person who has followed my artistic passion, so it was an easy decision to transition into quilting as a career.
Over the last 3 years, I have taught quilting skills to quilters of all levels, created custom quilts for clients, had my small quilted goods sold in storefronts all over the Twin Cities, and now have started my own longarm quilting business.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think when you find yourself at the right place at the right time, things tend to work out a bit more smoothly. The biggest challenges to this type of career are having to self-motivate, generate opportunities, and continually put yourself out there.
Thankfully, my background as a freelance theatre artist had prepared me to meet those challenges head-on. It’s deeply rewarding to be a full-time artist/maker and I recognize the privilege of getting to do what I love for a living.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a lot of irons in my quilty fire; I am a quilter who tests patterns for designers, makes custom quilts for clients, and creates small quilted goods that are sold in several stores in the Twin Cities; teaches quilting classes at Knit & Bolt in NE Minneapolis as well as the Textile Center; serves on the Board of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild; is an M.A. Candidate in the Material Culture and Textile Studies program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and runs my own longarm quilting business.
I am a young, modern quilter, and my aesthetic skews toward bold colors, clean lines, and fun shapes. Being involved in so many aspects of quilting makes me knowledgeable about trends as well as traditions. My background in theatre included education in design principles and my understanding of color theory and composition has informed my quilting life in a big way. I’m most proud of how design and storytelling from my theatre life have made their way into my quilting life.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The quilting community is wonderfully welcoming and I have been fortunate to find a pack of quilty friends who help me grow my skills, support my practice, and provide a sounding board for creative and professional ideas. The key is to put yourself out there, nurture your relationships, and stay true to your values.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.broughttoyoubythelettern.com
- Instagram: @natalienovacek
