My Bio 
I was born in Illinois, and have lived in Massachusetts, Texas, and Alaska, though I was mainly brought up in Missouri.
I read every book on dressmaking I could find, and taught myself to sew. I sewed clothes for my parents and siblings (nine of us, in all). I taught my father to sew; he took over as family tailor when I moved away from home. I took up quilting in the summer of 1976, the Bicentennial, not because it was patriotic but because it was “Americana. I read every book on quilting I could find, and taught myself to quilt. Later, I read every book on color theory, design, symmetry, and fabric dyeing I could find, and taught myself to be an artist. I developed my own method of designing patchwork blocks. I continued to make quilts, incorporating much of what I learned. At some point, I collected all the quilts I’d made and had photographs taken of them. I put the photographs into an album which I carried with me, religiously. I enjoyed showing the album to people and watching their faces as they looked at one quilt after another, commenting, “I like this one! No, I like this one better! Oh, they’re all so good!” I embraced my “inner geek,” and read every book on the internet and website design, and taught myself computer programming. When I bought a computer, I designed, built, and launched my own website, Nacho Grandma’s Quilts! Three important events happened after I became known on the internet. I was invited to join the faculty of Quilt University, where I hold the double distinction of being the first male faculty member, and the first African-American faculty member. I was invited to do a taping of "Simply Quilts,”" on HGTV (see related information below). I’ve been published in quilting and non-quilting magazines alike. Now, I give lectures and design workshops to quilt guilds across the country. I’ve taught quilt design at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. I recently taught my father to quilt, and he helps me with piecing blocks. Resume Writings HGTV Appearances |
