I can’t remember a time when sewing and needlework were not part of my life. My mother taught me to sew when I was very young, starting with clothes for my Barbie doll. I advanced to making clothing for myself and later for my children. Knitting was also a favourite hobby and I knit all our sweaters, hats and mitts. It was an opportunity to take a one-day quilting class in 1985 that changed my life and set me on the path to my career as a designer, author and educator.
Quilting started as a hobby, but has turned into my passion and my business!
See my Biography for teaching, publication and exhibiting information.
I have written 5 quilting books, filmed a DVD teaching my Give & Take Appliqué technique and designed hundreds of patterns through my company Patchworks Studio. My work has appeared in many magazines and publications and has been exhibited in Canada and the United States.
Designing quilts is a major part of my career, however teaching and interacting with students is one of the joys in my life. I love meeting students who share my passion for fabric and creativity. I have been teaching quilting classes for over 25 years and I was a nominee for ‘Teacher of the Year’ (2013) sponsored by the International Association of Professional Quilters. I have taught at major quilting conferences (International Quilt Festival, American Quilters Society Shows, Quilt Canada) and for many guilds, retreats and shops throughout North America. I teach online at the Academy of Quilting and I have also ‘sailed the high seas’ teaching on 7 quilting cruises.
My goal as a teacher is to encourage students to try new techniques, to expand their skills and, most importantly, to have fun and enjoy the creative process. I have studied how students learn and tailor my workshops to accommodate these differences, providing detailed handouts, oral instructions and hands-on demonstrations. I consult individually with students throughout my workshops to guide their progress, provide feedback and answer questions. My students most often comment on how supported and encouraged they are in my workshops.
My creative life is enriched as I explore new designs and ways to express myself and share my discoveries with my students.
What my students are saying:
“Daphne is a great teacher, approachable and giving in-depth details and advice to help us learn. I’d definitely take another of her classes.”
“I felt that she was personally interested in me.”
“I will not only take another class from her but have already started recommending her to quilting friends!”