Thomas Knauer’s journey to his current standing as a renowned quilt artist and designer has been as unique and intriguing as his book, Why We Quilt.

Knauer found his way into the world of art during his youth when his love of mathematics met with the captivating concept of aesthetics and was expressed through the medium of weaving.

As he broadened his artistic horizons academically through graduate school and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Knauer’s affinity for stitching, weaving and sewing was present in the various artistic expressions he explored including sculpture and multimedia design.

Knauer’s journey with chronic illness would bring him to a place of shifting focus in his academic teaching career, and as he began sewing for his young daughter he became enamored with the practice. He then went on to design fabrics and quilts. Knauer’s focus on quilt activism brings with it a fascinating perspective on his work, both written and design.

You can read more about Thomas Knauer here.

Why We Quilt

In his book, Why We Quilt, Knauer has created a compilation of contemporary quilts asking the big question – why we quilt. In a world of instant messaging, on-demand television and same-day delivery, cutting fabric into small pieces then stitching them back together seems to make little sense. Or does it?

Knauer explores the reasons people still love to quilt, and in this book he highlights 40 contemporary quilt makers. He also shares a stunning quilt creation by each individual as well as their unique insight about what compels them to continue quilting.

I’ve put together a few pages as a sneak peek for you into this captivating book…

I’m also very proud to say that I was honored to be one of the 40 individuals in this compilation of 21st century designers…

I highly recommend taking your own inspiring and though-provoking journey through this fascinating and compelling book!

And you? Why do you quilt?

Share with us in the comments below! I’d love to hear your story.