I am about to show my age here… When I went to college the ratio of men to women in my chemical engineering classes was at least 6:1. Sometimes, even higher. As a young lady in a “men’s profession,” you learned to hide your feminine side, at least from your co-workers and clients.
This often meant talking about family, sports, and the weather, when all else failed.
The fact that you liked to sew, crochet or do needlework was definitely not the conversations in the cafeteria, water cooler or copier. So, this was my hidden passion for years
Going to my quilt guild meetings was much like going to AA. Not something to brag about. I was relatively anonymous. I talked about my quilting, but the rest of my life was a secret. It was almost like living a dual life.
Imagine my surprise, years later, when I hit the upper levels of management and found others just like me. There were other female engineers, within high levels of the company, that also had a passion for fabric.
Once I discovered this, I started seeking them out. I found that there we lots of us, hiding our stitching from others. It was almost like an underground movement.
But it made sense. Women who love puzzles, because that is what an engineer does. They solve puzzles. And they love math, which quilting certainly has plenty of. This was the perfect creative outlet for engineers.
Don’t ask why this popped into my head today to write about…. but it prompted me to see how many other quilt designers are engineers… Apparently, there are quite a few of us!
Ernest Haight
Ernest was an agricultural engineer who graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1924. He originally kept his sewing a secret. Sound familiar? When he was discovered, he went all in. He created amazing original designs, won awards, and opened his own shop. In fact, you can find out more about him at the International Quilt Museum.
Latifah Saafir
Latifah has amazing curvy quilts that only an engineer could simplify! She is a mechanical engineer by training, who creates designs that are graphic and contemporary with meticulous attention to detail. You can find out more about the talented engineer and co-founder of the Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild at her website – Latifah Saafir Studios | One Stitch. One Seam. One Quilt.
Sarah Ruiz
Sarah is an aerospace engineer from Houston, TX. She is another modern quilter who brings new twists to traditional patterns and feature bright colors, bold lines, and graphic shapes. You can find more of her quilts, family and work stories at Saroy – Quilter by night. NASA engineer by day. Mom and wife 24/7.
Yvonne Fuchs
There is a trend here…
Yvonne is another aerospace engineer who has thrived as a modern quilter, designer, and tech editor. She has has developed a” style that bridges her technical background and love of bold color, specializing in curves, transparency color play, and bold, geometric designs.” Yvonne shares her patterns, tutorials and quilt alongs at Quilting Jetgirl – Sewing at the Speed of Sound.
Cheryl Brickey
Cheryl is a chemical engineer (my favorite type of engineer – but then again I may be biased). She is renowned for her mystery quilts and giving great advice to new quilt designers. Cheryl has published dozens of designs with beautifully clean lines. You can learn more about her at Meadow Mist Designs.
Karen Bolan
Karen is another modern quilter and former engineer. Although, I never think you stop being an engineer. You just start engineering primarily with fabric. She even has a lecture entitled “Engineer Your Quilts.” Karen loves to explore and experiment with fabric. You can find out more about Karen at Karen Bolan Designs.
Andrea Kjorlaug
Andrea is a structural engineer who founded the Domesticated Engineer. She creates quilts and other sewn items with an emphasis on “sustainably sourced materials and produce zero textile waste.” She has an introductory series for new sewists. You can learn more about her at domesticatedengineer.com.
Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth is a civil engineer, quilter and photographer. She is the creative genius behind Windmill Quilts, located in New Mexico. Elizabeth has a versatile line of patterns that includes some simply amazing frames for panels quilts. You can see her patterns at Patterns — Windmill Quilts.
I hope you have as much fun exploring these quilting engineers as I did. If you are an engineer, maybe they will inspire your quilting. If you are a quilter, maybe they will help you appreciate engineers!
Either way, thank you for indulging me on my quests for the link between engineers and quilting!
Happy Quilting!
