I made my very first quilt in my tenth grade Home Economics class. By then I was more in touch with my girly side so I chose different shades of purple fabrics with varying flowery prints and made it in an Around The World pattern. I still have it to this day.

After that I kind of lost interest in quilting. I was more into hanging out with friends and chasing boys. And still not willing to learn how to do any of the crafts my mother was doing.

In 2001, after I graduated high school, and a two month hospital stay, I suddenly wanted to make another quilt. So, I did. This time choosing pink and white fabrics. After that I made a black and dark blue quilt and gave it to my brother Jason that Christmas. Then once again, I lost interest.

My mother moved to MN in 2002 and I went to live with my father. I tried college for a couple of years, but that wasn’t for me. In 2006 I met my boyfriend Corey and six months later we moved into this apartment together. About a year and half ago I started getting the creative itch again and wanted to get back into sewing to give me something to do while Corey was at work. I didn’t have a sewing machine though. I mentioned it to my grandmother and two aunts, who also sew, and one day while at my grandparents house my great Aunt surprised me by giving me her spare sewing machine. Soon after that I found a woman on Craigslist that was selling all of her fabric for a dollar a yard. I couldn’t pass that opportunity up. I explained to Corey how good a deal that was and he brought me to her house one day where we spent a couple of hours going through piles of fabric. We ended up buying sixty dollars worth.

Now all I needed was a desk to put the sewing machine on. We found one not too long after that and my craft room was finally set up. I started sewing but was quickly frustrated with the machine giving me trouble every time I tried using it. Last year, noticing my frustration, Corey bought me a brand new sewing machine of my own. Finally I was able to sit down and successfully sew a quilt. I started making baby/lap sized quilts and pot holders. Later on I started making stuffed bunnies, bears and cat toys. All of which are in my Etsy shop right now @ www.lovejessicaalways.etsy.com

Love Jessica Always