DO YOU EQ?

Designer and teacher Heather Valentine does!

Meet Heather Valentine, the voice behind The Sewing Loft and Inspiring Stitches. Armed with a degree from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Heather spent the next 20 years working hand in hand with factories around the world. She developed new products, achieved the perfect fit and produced quality garments found in your closet today.

Craving more artistic freedom, Heather stepped away from the garment industry to create The Sewing Loft, an online sewing community filled with enthusiasts of every skill level, from the small-business owner to the occasional stitcher. Her main goal is to promote awareness, provide education and, above all, encourage the community to move the needle forward.

These days, you can find Heather teaching at local shops, speaking at guilds and sharing her talent in online video classes. Her whimsical designs have graced the pages of many printed publications, including Fat Quarter Projects, Fun-Size Quilts, Stitching Kitchen, and Crafts ‘n Things. They can also be found in stores near you with the Simplicity Creative Group.

Each year she hosts a sewing retreat called Sew Scrappy. The 3-day event is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded stitchers who share your passion, learn something new and be inspired to stitch through your scraps.

This self-proclaimed fabric hoarder likes to stitch the night away and dreams of one day discovering a better way to detangle her thread collection.

Upcoming projects- Last year I hosted a series called “Blocks 2 Quilt“. It showcased a new block each week and there was a tremendous response. This year, I am hosting a follow-up series called “Beyond the Block“. It kicks off later next month and will feature quilt blocks used in projects. The projects will range from simple fast finish projects to new quilt layouts. As you can imagine, most projects will feature blocks shared from the previous year and all were created in EQ8.

“There is something special about seeing my designs come to life and EQ8 was the missing piece! After years of drawing with graph paper & colored pencils, I was determined to find a better way to streamline my process. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a good doodle session but then I bring those quick sketches to the screen to play with color, texture, and pattern. With the simple click of a button, I can change my color pallet, switch up a layout and print off yardage in a flash. The best part… no eraser needed!”

~ Heather Valentine

Catch up with Heather!

Website
Instagram @TheSewingLoft
Facebook

Check out Heather’s quilts!