2025 Recap
I’m not much of a “New Year’s Resolutions” kind of person - who needs all that extra pressure?! However, the turning of a calendar year is a great time to reflect on the highs and lows of the past 12 months and spend some time considering what we’d like to put our energy into for the coming year. So in that spirit, here’s my 2025 Sewistry year in review, and a look forward!
Patterns
In 2025, I released two patterns: Trestle Churn and Pulsate. Pulsate marked my first magazine-published pattern and is currently exclusively available through Make Modern magazine.
Teaching
I taught at Cary Quilting Company a lot in 2025! Conquering Quilty Curves continues to be in-demand; I taught 6 sessions of it this year! I also taught a class on my Archer quilt pattern, a Strip Piecing workshop, and 2 sessions of the Hemingway Pouch pattern.
Finishes
I completed 6 quilts this year: Nine Times Blue, Mocha Quiver, Caged Birds, Hate Won’t Make Us Great, the Trestle Churn cover sample, and State of Renewal. All can be viewed on my Gallery page; more detailed info & detail shots of each are in my Instagram feed.
And…(the good)
I had my first solo show in May & June at Sertoma Arts Center
I started freelance pattern writing and tech editing, working over 162 hours for 2 different corporate clients
I sold two quilts to individual collectors
I won a 4th place ribbon at the NC State Fair for Pulsate, in the Modern category
And… (the tough)
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses on the quilty front this year.
I wasn’t selected for a local fellowship. That one really stung; I wanted it and let myself hope I could get it. It had the potential to be life- and practice-changing. I’ll keep trying.
I didn’t get a grant I applied for. That one was a bummer but it wasn’t something I’d really counted on getting and I’m sure the recipients are all very deserving!
Finally, none of my 3 QuiltCon 2026 submissions were accepted to hang. This one stung, too - I put a project on the back burner to push through and complete State of Renewal for the Member Challenge. In hindsight, I wonder if I should have kept at the other project & if it would have gotten in. There’s always next year!
A sweet friend told me, “what rejects you protects you,” so I’m moving forward!
Looking forward to 2026…
I’ll be continuing to teach classes, including some new topics and techniques - reach out if there’s something you’d like me to teach!
New patterns are on the horizon, including an exclusive release for QuiltCon 2026
Obviously I’m looking forward to QuiltCon coming back to my hometown!
I’m excited to continue with freelance work - if you’re seeking a pattern ghostwriter or tech editor, reach out!
I’ll keep applying for grants, shows, and additional opportunities, because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Finally, I’d be remiss to not acknowledge what a challenging year 2025 has been: personally, nationally, and globally. What else can be said? Let’s keep going, and take care of each other.
-Jenn
