Alex Anderson stumbled on quilting as a way to finish her fabric textile design degree at San Francisco State University in 1978. Discovering she was a unit shy of graduation, she asked her counselor if she could earn it by finishing a quilt her grandmother had started in the 1930s. Her counselor agreed, and Anderson discovered her passion for quilting.
From Beginner to Nationally Known Author and Teacher
Anderson went on to develop a love of hand quilting and traditional designs coupled with bold fabrics. "I call my style innovative traditional," she says. "I am extremely drawn to historical patterns that have stood the test of time coupled with exciting and sometimes unusual fabric combinations that give the quilts a fresh contemporary look." Anderson focuses frequently on stars because so much can be learned while sewing them, from piecing techniques to color combinations.
As her quilting skill and ability to communicate sewing techniques became known, Anderson became a sought-after teacher, speaker, and author of quilting books. She has published thirty titles in four languages and has more than a million copies in print. Readers love her books for their clear, concise directions and her ability to write simply.
Alex Anderson Becomes a Television Host
While teaching in Southern California, Anderson was asked to host "Simply Quilts" for HGTV. She refused initially, but her family and others convinced her to try it. More than 500 episodes and 11 years later, she had become a quilting television star.
In 2007, Alex co-founded The Quilt Show with Ricky Tims. The show is the first internet interactive program for quilters. Now in its third season, the show has 50,000+ viewers and is shown in 100 countries.
Alex Wins Quilting's Silver Star Award
In 2008, Anderson was honored at the International Quilt Festival with the Silver Star Award. This award is given to the person "whose work and influence has made -- and continues to make -- a sizable and positive impact on the quilting industry and community."
In February 2009, Quilter's Newsletter chose her (in a three way tie with Ricky Tims and Karey Bresenhan) as "The Most Influential Person in The Quilting Industry."
Anderson also hosts a weekly podcast, "Quilt Connection," from her home, is the National Spokesperson for Bernina of America, and is a fabric designer with P&B Textiles. She also created a line of threads with Superior Threads.
"Quilting is vital to my well being," she says. I can't imagine life without it."
Anderson is the mother of two and lives with her husband in Northern California.
Other famous quilters who have influenced American quilting are Mark Lipinski, Carol Doak, Jinny Beyer, Eleanor Burns, and Ricky Tims.
Sources
- Alex Anderson Quilts.
- C&T Publishing.
- Planet Patchwork: Quilter's Profile: Alex Anderson.
- Smith, Kelly. Alex Anderson Named 2008 Silver Star at Houston International Quilt Festival. Quilting Examiner. Oct. 23, 2008.
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