That's how I would describe my job these days. In fact it's hard to say it's really a job since it seems more like playing to me. Since my friend, Debra Perkins, introduced me to paper piecing about 15 years ago I have been consumed with a passion that has filled my life to the brim with new ideas for patterns, quilts and fabric. Thank goodness my two sons are grown and I now have time to pursue my dreams.

For 25 years I was a draftsperson, drawing maps and charts for environmental & energy companies. I enjoyed my stay-at-home job and in 1992, I purchased AutoCAD, a computer aided drafting program and it completely changed the way I worked. In January 2001, I purchased my first longarm machine. I also started a Longarm Group to gain and give support to other longarm quilters in the Denver Metro Area. It was not long before I realized that I could design quilting patterns using my AutoCAD program and print them off with my plotter. My longarm group began requesting designs from me and my pantograph pattern business was born. Shortly after, I learned that the Statler Stitcher www.statlerstitcher.com a computer aided quilting machine was making headlines in the quilting world. I immediately set my sights on owning one especially when I heard that it used CAD files for the designs. I convinced myself and my hubby that it would enhance my pattern designing business. In April 2003, I purchased a Statler Gammill Optimum machine and in May of that same year I resigned from my drafting business and launched 'Designs By Deb'. I have never looked back. Designing quilting patterns has fulfilled a need in the quilting world and made my life more interesting and rewarding than I ever dreamed possible. I work (play) long hours and the time flies when I'm immersed in creating something new.

The Statler has proven to be the best investment I have ever made. I can design more complex, inspiring patterns now and it stitches them out beautifully. My customers are thrilled with all the choices they have available for their quilts. Many times I design a pattern just for one particular quilt and it becomes a hit and I then make it available for sale to other Statler owners or it becomes a Pantograph pattern to share with other longarm quilters. I now have well over 100 Pantograph patterns and more than 1000 Statler designs. I frequently accept requests for new patterns and I am constantly amazed at the unlimited design possibilities available to me. If you can think it, I can stitch it. My Pantograph patterns are unique in that they include 2-6 patterns on each 24" x 1" long sheet. I also include a notebook size page with each pattern so you can show your customers the patterns you have available without unrolling the entire pattern. I sell Pantographs through vendors rather than retail because I would rather be quilting than running to the post office daily. Due to many requests, the Statler patterns are now available to buy and download straight from this site. See the Computerized Patterns Section for more info.

After several years of teaching quilting classes, a friend asked me what my goals were for the business and I said I'd like to add "Award winning Quilter" to my business card and she said "Have you ever entered a contest?" That's when I realized if I wanted to be a winner - I would have to actually enter something. Duh! In 2002 I set out to make "Road to Riches" (pictured; You can see more quilts in my Photo Gallery) and I entered it into the AQS Nashville Stack n' Whack competition and to my total surprise, it won 3rd place. I was in complete disbelief, especially when I saw my competition. I later asked the judges what they were looking for in this contest and one of the answers was "Visual Impact". Now I try to make most of my quilts with "visual impact". I love using bright, show-stopping colors. These are not exactly "soothing to the soul" quilts that you want to sleep under but they are eye candy to the quilt lover and they look great displayed on the wall. I want to continue to design unique, one-of a kind patterns and share them with the world through the internet.

Last summer I moved into my new 2000 sq. ft. studio. (See photos here) which I had custom designed to fit my needs. I felt like I had gone to heaven. My creativity soared with all the space I had around me to spread out and make quilts. Of course we all know that longarm quilters rarely get to make quilts for themselves but I found time on Sundays. Sew on Sundays (SOS) became my motto and that's when I take time to quilt for me. I renew my spirit and feed my soul. The new studio includes a huge 1500 sq. ft. sewing room with tables to lay out quilts, a place for the Statler Stitcher, a gallery for my quilts and a bathroom with a purple bathtub, a storage room for excess fabric and Beanie babies, a Bat Cave (batting closet), a computer room/office for designing and printing patterns. It is also a classroom and a gathering place for quilting friends. I love sharing my "slice of heaven" and my passion for quilting with others and inspiring everyone I meet. Even my Mom caught the quilting fever from me just before her 70th birthday and she now takes quilting classes and comes to spend time with me so we can sew together. What a gift that we can share this passion together.