My love of sewing started at age 12, sitting at my grandmother's Singer Featherweight. She sewed and then, so did I. By high school I was making most of my own clothes. Nana taught me that making something is one of life's quiet joys — and I've never forgotten that.

My own quilting journey started the way many do — with a beginner book. Mine was a log cabin made using Eleanor Burns' classic Quilt in a Day. I still remember the satisfaction of that last seam.

Now that I’ve been making quilts for a while, I think that adding the quilting is a lot like adding a cherry on the top. The quilt top is already beautiful. But the right quilting — the right design, the right density, the right finish — transforms it into something truly incredible. It elevates a memory quilt into an heirloom. It turns a labor of love into a gift someone will cherish for decades. That's the moment I'm working toward with every quilt that comes through my studio.

How I got here

Honestly, I didn't plan any of this — but it makes complete sense to me now.

I spent years as a JoAnn Fabrics store manager, surrounded by makers of all ages and skill levels, learning to listen to what they were creating and why it mattered to them. This is something that I try to bring to every customer conversation: your quilt has a story, and my job is to honor it.

After JoAnn, I spent over 20 years in technology. Precision, clear communication, getting the details right — those habits are hard to shake. Fortunately, they're exactly what longarm quilting demands.

Starshine Quilting Studio is what retirement looks like for me. It lets me do what I love most — blending creativity with technology, sewing with a little bit of geekery.

The right tools, seriously

In September 2023 I invested in an INNOVA computerized longarm — chosen deliberately for its reputation as simply the best in the business. This isn't a hobby machine. The first time I watched it stitch out a computerized design, I knew it was for me. This longarm with its AutoPilot Mach3 quilting software delivers the kind of precision that makes a real difference in the finished result.

I'm also a proud member of the Longarm League, a professional community founded by well-known longarm quilter Jess Ziegler. Through the League's Rookie Season program and its active member community, I've built a strong foundation in longarm best practices, quality standards, and craft knowledge that only comes from learning alongside experienced professionals. A number of Jess's own pantographs are available through Starshine.

Your neighbor in the South Hills

Starshine Quilting Studio is located in Pleasant Hills, and I'm proud to serve quilters throughout Pittsburgh. Being based in the South Hills — it’s especially convenient for those in Upper St. Clair, Whitehall, Baldwin, Jefferson Hills, Bethel Park, Mount Lebanon, and beyond.

I'll treat your quilt like it matters — because it does.

✨ Let's make your quilt shine. ✨