Tara’s Quilting & Projects

Where to even begin? Back in 1997, right after my son was born, I started a business called Sew Unique Creations. I wanted to find a way to bring in some extra income while still being a stay-at-home mom, so I dove headfirst into the world of sewing and quilting patterns. For 17 wonderful years, my little business grew and flourished, bringing paper patterns to quilters everywhere. Then, life called for a change. I moved from Illinois to the beautiful mountains of West Virginia and decided my business needed a fresh start too. That’s when Quilter’s Ridge was born, and I continued sharing my quilting designs with the world.

But in 2020, after a lot of soul-searching, I made the big decision to close my design business. I realized that I no longer wanted to deal with the constant pressure of designing and publishing to keep up with the industry. I craved more privacy and a slower pace. The thought of rushing through quilt after quilt just wasn’t appealing anymore. I wanted to savor the process, piece my quilts by hand, and take my time hand quilting them, instead of always sitting at a sewing machine churning out patterns at lightning speed. The idea of traveling to endless quilting conventions and shows to keep my name out there no longer brought me joy either.

Looking back, I don’t regret a single moment. My journey in the quilting world was full of incredible people, unforgettable experiences, and plenty of creativity. I published paper patterns, quilting books, had a strong presence online with my website and blog, and saw my work in magazines. It was a beautiful chapter of my life.

Today, I still quilt. I work on my trusty Janome, Viking, and Singer featherweight machines, but more and more, I find myself hand-piecing and hand-quilting. There’s something so peaceful about working at my own pace.

I’ve been blessed with a lot of talents, though I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered any of them—and I’m perfectly okay with that! I’m always learning, always growing, and forever perfecting my craft.