Short notes from the studio in Kingman — current commissioned quilts, wall hangings in progress, and the occasional story from the desert.
Route 66 Desert Quilters
Along the old highway, quilts moved with people. Fabric scraps traveled in the backs of cars and trucks, traded at roadside stops and small shops between Kingman and the next town over. Someone would finish a top, pass along extra blocks, or trade a finished quilt for something they needed.
The patterns weren’t fancy. Mostly simple blocks — squares, triangles, a few stars — made with whatever cotton was on hand. Colors came from what was available: faded blues, warm earth tones, cream, and the occasional brighter piece someone had saved. The quilts were used. They covered beds, got washed, and got mended when they wore thin.
That way of working still shows up in the studio. The quilts made here aren’t copies of anything specific from the old road, but they come from the same practical habit — using good cotton, keeping the designs straightforward, and making something meant to be lived with.
Born in the desert, not a factory.
Current Commission: Desert Dawn Throw
Working on a Desert Dawn throw right now. Large half-square triangles in terracotta, cream, and sage. No sashing. It’s a quieter piece — meant for everyday use. Should be finished and ready to ship next week.
A Note on Color
Most of the quilts leaving the studio lately have been in the desert palette: terracotta, sage, cream, soft gold, and a little turquoise. People seem to want something that feels calm but still has some warmth. Happy to work outside that range if you have something else in mind.
Wall Hanging in Progress
Just started a small wall hanging with appliquéd saguaros and a few desert flowers on a cream ground. It’s going to be about 24" × 30". Simple and graphic. I’ll post a photo once the top is pieced.
From the Cutting Table
Washed and pressed a new batch of cotton this morning. Everything gets washed before it goes into a quilt. Takes a little extra time, but the finished piece lays better and shrinks less later.
Consultation Reminder
Custom consultations are open year-round for quilts and wall hangings. If you have a size or color direction in mind, send a note through the contact page. I’ll get back to you.
Kingman Crossroads in Progress
Piecing a Kingman Crossroads quilt this week. Bold plus-sign blocks in turquoise, sand, and charcoal with narrow charcoal sashing. It’s a cleaner, more modern layout than most of what I’ve been making. Should have the top finished by the weekend.
On Binding
Finished binding a queen-size quilt yesterday. Double-fold binding, machine stitched. Takes longer than people expect, but it holds up better with washing. This one is in soft sage and cream.
Desert Colors Again
Another request came in for terracotta, sage, and cream. It’s become the most common palette lately. Easy to live with and it photographs well in the desert light. Still happy to do other colors if that’s what someone wants.
Small Wall Hanging
Completed a 20" × 24" wall hanging with simple nine-patch blocks in muted desert tones. No sashing. It’s heading to a hallway in a house outside of town.
Longarm Day
Custom quilted two tops — one with a simple edge-to-edge design and one with a little more detail in the open spaces. Both are ready for binding now.
Fabric Wash Day
Washed and dried a stack of new cotton this morning. Everything gets pre-washed before it goes into a quilt. The colors stay truer and the finished quilt doesn’t shrink as much later.
Route 66 Stars Throw
Started cutting for a Route 66 Stars throw. Scattered eight-point stars in turquoise and rust on cream, with a few small sign blocks mixed in. Cream sashing. It’s a busier design than usual, but it still feels like it belongs here.
From the Porch
Sat outside for a few minutes this morning with coffee before starting. The light was soft and the air was cool. It’s the kind of morning that makes the desert colors in the quilts make sense.
Ready to Ship
Two quilts went out yesterday — a throw in terracotta and cream, and a smaller wall hanging with simple squares. Both were custom quilted and bound here in the studio.
sew what's happening ...
Receive our quarterly dispatches
Quilts used to move along Route 66 the same way other goods did — traded at roadside stops and small shops. Scraps and finished tops changed hands between towns. The work was simple and practical. That same straightforward approach is what I try to keep in the quilts made here in Kingman.