I think I'm very lucky to come from several generations of creative women. My Nana was a talented seamstress, my Granny is a traditional quilter, and my mom dabbles in many different sewing arts. No one ever really pressured me to sew when I was young, but once I went off to college, I decided to try my hand at quilting.

The original reason why I picked up a needle was that I needed to come up with a thoughtful, non expensive gift to give to my boyfriend. He was a year younger than me and soon would be graduating from high school. I figured a quilt fit the bill.

For months I traced and cut out squares, all by hand. I then sewed all of those squares together by hand. I didn't get the quilt done in time for graduation (it doesn't matter anyway, the finished quilt lives with my now husband in our house together) but the seed was planted. I wanted to make all the quilts. Maybe not all by hand though.

After college my parents gave me my first sewing machine as a graduation gift. Her name was Emma, and she was everything I could have ever hoped for. I could now finish projects in months, not years. This gave me time to teach myself how to sew other things, like bags and pouches for myself and friends. I loved that I could still make them in the way that I would make a quilt, but they were small and portable.

In August of 2005, I opened my first Etsy shop: sarahminshall. Selling to others was a perfect solution for me. I loved making things, but I just couldn't keep it all for myself! That shop had treated me well, but in the summer of 2011, I decided to make the permanent change to my current home: Hip To Piece Squares. I'll be staying here for quite a while!

Now, as I sew and design, I strive to create in the idea of making a quilt. I've been lucky to have wonderful quilts given to me; beautiful pieces of art that make you feel the love of the creator when you're wrapped up inside of it. I've given quilts to others that I have put hours of passion and love into. But small quilts in the form of my bags, pouches and other goodies have that same love in them as well. I take great pride and care for everything I make. When you take it out of the packaging, it's my goal that you feel that love.

I love sewing.
I love creating.
I love making others happy with my goodies.

I hope Hip To Piece Squares goodies will make you feel the same way.