Sunday, July 19, 2015

The way I caught the quilting bug!


Hi my name is Margo Yang and welcome to my blog.   I'm a fairly new and inexperienced blogger, that's why I jumped at the chance to sign up for the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop!  The hosts of this year are Stephanie Palmer, my hive leader, Yvonne Fuchs, Cheryl Brickey and Terri Ann Swallow.  They have done an amazing job to get this blog hop started.  I've learned so much and met a lot of people who have the same passion as I do.  They are a bunch of very talented people. 

About me


My quilting hobby started when I quit my computer career over 20 years ago to become a mother.  When our young family moved into our new home, I decided to make a tablecloth for our bare dining table.  I chose nine patch block, probably not a wise decision for a beginner.  All the blocks turned out uneven, and having no clue of how to fix them, I tossed them in a closet.  Two years later, we welcomed another child to our home.  My life was quickly filled with babies, diapers and PTA meetings.  When both my children started school, I took Automobile/Furniture Upholstery class and learned to sew on industrial sewing machines.  Taking this class had helped me to develop good sewing skills.  I was having such a great time doing upholstery jobs for clients that I forgot about the unfinished quilt.   Fifteen years later, I found those blocks and decided to take a quilting class in an adult education program at a local high school.  Those nine patch blocks ended up to be my very first lap quilt.  I quilted all the HST blocks by hand, but quickly became impatient.  I know I shouldn't, but I finished quilting the nine-patch blocks by machine.


After finishing my first quilt, I started making more quilts with simple patterns.  When my musician son went to college, I made him a quilt with musical instrument and musical note fabricIt was my first big quilt and first free motion quilting.  I used the "Yellow Brick Road" pattern and quilted with guitars and musical note designs.  He was pleased with the results.  Now the quilt goes everywhere he goes.

My son's college quilt

My daughter's college quilt

I picked "Pinto Box" as the pattern for my daughter two years later.   She likes all colors and that's what she got; lots of colors.  This quilt was quilted with fireworks and shooting star designs.  

My friend and I often worked together to make rag quilts as baby gifts.   Soon, I was weary of always making rag quilts full of squares and rectangles.  Then I came up with what seemed like a fantastic idea.  I put it to the test and in 2010, my Faux Rag quilting technique was born.  I waited almost two years to be sure that there wasn't anything like it before I submitted my works to several quilting magazines.  A few magazines responded, but only The Quilt Life magazine actually followed through and published my works.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life to see my two quilts published in December 2013 issue of the Quilt Life magazine.

The Quilt Life Magazine, December 2013

Next, I submitted a book proposal to the American Quilter's Society.  After waiting nervously for a few months, I finally heard from them that they accepted my proposal.  The book is scheduled to come out next spring.  By then I can share and talk more about it.  Right now I can say with a firm belief that when you have an idea that you're passionate about, pursue it with all your heart and soul.  I don't know if my book will be a success, but I know that I've given it my all.  I hope someone out there likes what I'm doing.

When I was offered an opportunity to teach at the Quilt Emporium in Woodland Hills, Ca, I immediately accepted it.   In addition to teaching my technique, I love to challenge myself by asking the shop owner which book or pattern she would like to promote.  I, then, would make samples and teach the class if there were enough interests.  These are some of the samples I've made.

This quilt makes me happy every time I look at it.  It's from the book called
'Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe'

Another sample from the book called 'Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe'

These two samples are from Moda's Sweet Celebration book
I love Jill Finley's design.  This one is called Cherries Jubilee.

It’s my continuing pleasure to teach, occasionally branching out into classes featuring pillows, purses and other sewing projects.  We have done series of classes called Pillow of the Month.  I made pillows using patterns from books, and my own designs.  From teaching, I've met so many talented, fun loving and wonderful people.  One thing I would like to ask you is how would you make your class interesting when you have an opportunity to teach?  For me I like to bring treats for my students.  Our classes were always filled with laughter.

These pillows are from the book called 'Pillow POP'

Halloween pillow

Christmas pillow from my design

Valentine pillow


Adaptations of Jill Finley's design into pillows

Another adaptation of Jill's design, using Faux Rag Quilting technique.

I also enjoy making bags of all kind.  The hand bag classes have been very popular at our local quilt shops.  


Beatle bag for traveling quilters

Downton Abbey bag

This clutch is from 'Bags-The Modern Classic' book by Sue Kim

The latest sample of pincushion.


My love for quilting has grown steadily since my first muddled attempt at nine patch.  The creativity of quilting, the opportunity to share my technique with other quilters and the possibility of further innovation are enormously rewarding aspects of my life.  Life is a blessing for a quilter.

It's been Sew Fabulous to be part of this 2015 New Bloggers Blog Hop.  I would like to thank our hosts for all the wonderful work they've done.  There are also great giveaways each week, and you can sign up by visiting each of these four blogs.  



Stephanie Palmer at Late Night Quilter

Yvonne Fuchs at Quilting Jet Girl

Cheryl Brickey at Meadow Mist Designs

Terri Ann Swallow at Childlike Fascination

Also check out my hivemates at



Have a blessed week everyone.....














29 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your upcoming book release! It's lovely to learn more about you and see some of your wonderful creations.

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    1. Thanks, Deb. It's been fun to meet a lot of people who share love of creating.

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  2. You have so many accomplishments to share, and it's good to read about how you've moved from a new quilter to a published author and teacher. Wonderful for you!

    Julie @ Pink Doxies

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  3. Congrats on the book! I love your cushions and so many different types of projects!

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    1. Thank you very much, Ruth. Isn't it fun to do lots of different things? I love it.

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  4. Wow! First congrats on the book. I love all your pillows, and it was nice to meet you.

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    1. Thanks, Cindy, for stopping by. Hope to get to know you more in the future.

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  5. Hi Margo! Congratulations on your book I'm sure it will be a success. Your pillows are so pretty they make me want to go make some myself!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly, for stopping by. Yes, I admit, I love pillows. :)

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  6. Wow, congratulations on following your passions! I hope the blog hop has been a good experience for you.

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  7. Congratulations Margo! It certainly sounds as though there are some wonderful things on the horizon for you. I wish you ever success, and look forward to following along with your journey.

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    1. Thanks, Jane. I hope to get to know you better in the future.

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  8. How exciting for you, congratulations on the book! I enjoyed reading about your quilting journey! It amazes me looking back at my own...how far we have come! Treats are never a bad idea to share...I like that idea!

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    1. Thanks, Jayne. Isn't this a wonderful journey! This blog hop has been great for me to meet others who share the same passions. Hope to get to know you better. :)

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  9. Wonderful to meet you Margo. I enjoyed reading about your start in quilting and about all the progress you have made. I'm impressed with all the different styles of quilts and projects you have made. I love the two quilts from the blogging universe. Congratulations on having your book published. I love teachers who are very relaxed and can help you come up with a solution if you make a mistake.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa, for stopping by and leaving comments. Hope to get to know you better in the future.

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  10. Hi Margo
    Congratulations on your upcoming book!
    I love your creations but I really love the bags and purses you have made. I bet your classes are a lot of fun!
    Deb

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    1. Thanks, Deb, for stopping by. I hope to get to know you more in the future. Who knows, maybe we'll get to visit your farm and buy your jam one day!! Wouldn't that be great? I would love for you to see my blog about making jam that I posted in Nov. of last year and let me know what you think. If you have time, that is... :)

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  11. Wow, you are one prolific and varied gal! I like that! I bet you are an awesome teacher with such passion. Congrats on both being in a magazine as well as getting a book published!! As for teaching, I found it didn't even matter if my students were 18 years old and in grade 12, they would do anything for treats!

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    1. Thank you so much, Sandra. Life is a blessing for a quilter! I just love doing what I do.

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  12. Hey Margo, it's nice to see your quilt style evolve in your pictures, I enjoyed that. How fun to work at a quilt store and quilt for a living. I really love that group of modern pillows, the fabrics are fabulous. Looks like you found your dream!

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    1. Thanks, Carrie. I can't say that I quilt for a living just yet, but hopefully one day my hobby will pay for itself. LOL

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  13. Margo, I am so happy that you were able to participate in this hop. I hope this is the beginning of a friendship for us. Please let us all know when your book comes out so we can help put out a good word for you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Stephanie, for everything. I was really down last few weeks, but through your support, I was able to stay to the end. I'll be honor to have you as a friend. Now that I'm back home, literally, my flight landed a few hours ago, I hope to get back to sewing again. This blog hop has been so great for me in more ways than one. Thanks to you and the rest of the group. I truly hope to get to know each and everyone of you better. Take care.

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  14. That Starburst quilt would make me happy (and crave some candy) every time I looked at it also! I am in love with the floral clutch you made. The fabric selection pair with the pattern make for one yummy clutch!

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    1. Thanks, Carrie, for stopping by. Take care in Costa Rica! I heard it's really beautiful there.

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  15. Hello, nice to meet you! I absolutely love that clutch bag made in Bonnie and Camille fabric, it's beautiful! Good luck with your book.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, for stopping by and your kind words. Take care.

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  16. Hi Mary....Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind comments. Yes, Modern Quilts are becoming my new love. Hope to be able to get to know you more in the near future. :)

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Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment. I enjoy reading each and every one and will respond with an email. If you don't get an email response, it's probably because you're a "no reply blogger" and I have no way to contact you! If you don't hear from me, check back at the original blog post for my reply.