Want to learn how to quilt? I love to teach people by helping them think like a quilter. This means no patterns, just techniques, blocks, and ideas.

Several years ago I wrote a small zine called Quilt School 101: The Anatomy of a Quilt. This was the start of my thinking for how to share an old philosophy for how to teach quilting. Not patterns and the newest tools, but how to really understand the anatomy of a quilt: how it is constructed, and how to think in terms of making patterns from blocks.

I use case studies and studio journals, explanations for techniques, and essays. If you’re looking for hand quilting techniques,, naturally dyes, and design thinking, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find thoughtful reflection, and guidance for creating your own heirloom-quality quilts—one stitch at a time.

I'm Sarah Gagnon, an artist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Each of my quilts is grounded in traditional quilting techniques. I hand-dye natural fibers with plant-based dyes like madder, indigo, and walnut. Using sashiko thread and hand quilting methods, I piece together colors and textures to create modern heirloom quilts that reflect both history and personal expression.