About Pat Ferguson
I live in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeast Connecticut where I am semi-retired and enjoy Longarm quilting for customers all over the country along with designing my fiber art.
Teacher and Author
I am retired from teaching but from 1985 up until the pandemic, I taught a wide variety of classes ranging from beginner to advanced and almost anything in between. I love experimenting with different techniques but longarm quilting has always been my favorite thing to do. I love mastering the power of the machine.
After teaching thousands of new and seasoned quilters over the years, I have tried not to lose sight of what it is like to be a bewildered but excited beginning quilter, helping them finish their quilts as they learn along the way. Working with seasoned quilters is just as rewarding as I watch their skills develop, feel their pride in their own creative process, and watch their personal style develop.
I continue to search and learn to enhance my quilting skills. There is always something new to learn, whether it is a new tool, a new quilting style or a new technique. In 2010 I became a Certified Zentangle® Teacher and later on authored “Zen Quilting Workbook” in order to reach out to more quilters cross the country to teach my “Zen Quilting” method. Paired with my “Zen Quilting Kit” more students and quilters can appreciate the relaxation of this method in their homes or personal quilting spaces.
Learn more about this relaxing, artistic technique and purchase supplies by visiting my product page.
My goals as a teacher are the same as a longarm quilter:
- always be the best quilter/teacher I can be
- be sensitive to the needs of beginning and seasoned quilters
- allow every quilter to incorporate their own creativity into their masterpiece
- help quilters relax and have fun with quilting process- after all, isn’t it supposed to be fun?
- provide an abundance of accurate information and creative ideas to my quilters
- allow each quilter to create their own special quilt that reflects their personality
Quilter/ Artist
Since I was a youngster, I have been crafting and sewing. My passion for quilting began in 1980, before the rotary cutter was popular and quilts were hand sewn. It has evolved into a lifetime ambition for me. Even though I learned traditional quilting techniques, I also enjoy the new and incorporate all of them into my custom longarm quilting and art quilts. I have witnessed many fabric trends, quilting tools and color palettes evolve over many years. Quilting has come a long way!
I became a CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher) in 2010 Seminar #3 when Zentangle was fairly new. This technique greatly influences and enhances my longarm quilting style.
My specialty is machine quilting. I love the power of the machine and the freedom to create. I have been a longarm quilter since 2002 , working on thousands of customer quilts, charity quilts and many of my own. I have designed several quilts that incorporate Zentangle into whole cloth creations. I also love fusible applique techniques which are the basic skills used in some of my art quilts. I see quilting as an art form. My sewing machine often becomes the paintbrush or artist pencil on the fabric, which is my canvas.
I believe there is a difference between making many quilts and becoming a true quilter. When I began making quilts it was sometimes just a race to get the quilt completed with quick techniques and large pieces. Then I began to be more careful with my stitching and to learn all that I could about fabrics, batting, threads, color, and the design process. I found that it was more gratifying for me to make one spectacular quilt than ten quick quilts. Much thought and creative energy goes into designing a quilt from choosing the fabrics to the last decorative quilting stitches.
I have been commissioned to do several pieces for private individuals and businesses. Each is unique to the customer and several of these works have received awards in quilt shows. A sampling of my Landscapes, House Portraits and Whole cloth quilts can be viewed on this web site.
Fiber Artist
In the past I participated in Artists Open Studios of Northeast CT.
Many area artists open their studios to the public so that they can see them at work on their craft and purchase fine art for themselves or as gifts. I worked on my 12′ Longarm machine and displayed many fiber art wall pieces and quilts handmade by Pat. I now sell by appointment or online.
Pattern designer
Many of my patterns were originally developed as class projects. Each has been classroom tested several times resulting in a clear and easy to read pattern with many visual diagrams. My patterns are also rated for skill level and many are suitable for all levels.
The “Quilter’s Tool Tote” pattern was created years ago as a class so that my students could easily pack and transport their class supplies. This is my first self published pattern.
“Remains to be Seamed” is my second pattern created especially for my 
students to use up scraps and remaining pieces left over from making quilts.
Remains To be Seamed Pattern
Designing pantograph patterns is another outlet for my creativity. Longarm quilters are able to enjoy and share my “Zen Quilting” patterns with their customers.
Pat has been a proud member of the following organizations:
Narragansett Bay Quilters (NBQA)
www.nbqa.org
300 member quilt guild in RI
Secretary from Sept 2006-2009 & helped set many quilt shows
Member since 1990 to 2020
Greater Hartford Quilt Guild (GHQG)
www.ghqg.org
Member since 2002 –encompasses several chapters throughout the Greater Hartford.
Worked on 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 Quilt show committee, taking in applications, quilt show set up& take down.
Artists Open Studios Of Northeast Connecticut (AOS)
www.aosct.org
Artists Cooperative with Open Studios in Nov/Dec
Member since Spring 2005- 2020
Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)
www.saqa.com
International art quilters group committed to promoting the art quilt through education, exhibits, professional development and documentation
Juried Artist Member since Jan 2008 to current
Quiet Corner Art Quilt Group
qcartquilts.blogspot.com
A small private group of art quilters who meet to encourage and develop creativity
Member since 2010