AmiSimmsQuiltStudio

I was introduced to quilting in 1975 when I was conducting research among the Old Order Amish in northern Indiana for an undergraduate dissertation in anthropology at Kalamazoo College. Ida Stutzman, the Amish woman I stayed with on and off, taught me how to quilt. The experience changed my life. I began a teaching career (2nd graders, then senior citizens) and after a show time I began teaching quilting. Over a career of 30+ years I made more than 200 quilts, presented lectures and workshops to more than 500 quilting guilds in 48 states and 7 foreign countries. I also wrote 9 books on quilting along with dozens of quilting patterns, and I designed two lines of fabric.

My quilting took me to the White House as a participant in the Art in Embassies program, and I was named 2005 Quilting Teacher of the Year. I created both the Worst Quilt in the World Contest and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

I retired from the business side of quilting at the end of 2017… so that I could have more time to quilt! I also wanted to devote more time to grandmothering. I currently sit on the board of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY and I am a member of the Genesee Star Quilters in Flint, and the great Lakes African American Quilt Guild in Livonia. My husband and I live in Flint, Michigan with Scooter, the 70-pound Golden Retriever who thinks he's a lapdog. He is very famous for being a very laid back dog: https://youtu.be/LStXAG5dwzA

My plan here at Etsy is to convert my best-selling patterns to digital download format, to sell some of the quilts and textiles I've made and collected over the years, and to write more patterns as the spirit moves me.

Additionally, from time to time, I jump down the odd rabbit hole, allowing myself creative expression that may not necessarily involve quilting. Note the plethora of retractable tape measures with crocheted covers in my Etsy store. That started very innocently and now I can't seem to stop.

I also blog occasionally at AmiSimms.com. And, you'll find me on FaceBook at Ami Simms Quilter.