September Program

Sylvia Pippen

Inspiration abounds right out the door of my studio whether in the Pacific Northwest or in Hawaii. I have been a gardener most of my life and quilting is an extension of my passion for plants.

My quilts took on a tropical twist when we landed in Hawaii and I worked as a gardener at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai. Unable to balance my two passions, I turned to teaching and designing patterns and fabric kits full-time and now garden for fun, flowers, and food.

In keeping with the polyglot culture of Hawaii, I often like to mix-up quilt traditions: contemporary Sashiko, a Tahitian curved border, traditional Japanese Kamon designs, the symmetry of Hawaiian quilts. I was introduced to Japanese design, Sashiko, and the fine art of quilt making by my mother, Kitty Pippen, who has been my inspiration and mentor all my life.

I love to teach and introduce Sashiko to students of all ages, especially in my big airy studio. I hope my quilt designs will inspire you to make your own one-of-a-kind quilts.