Featured Certified Teacher: Janelle Schwartz

We are so excited to introduce you to one of our talented Certified Teachers, Janelle Schwartz! Janelle is certified to teach Scrappy Applique and currently offers programs and workshops to Quilt Guilds and individuals via Zoom. She's an Australian, living in Dubai, using her love of quilting and talent as a teacher to share Scrappy Applique with quilters all over the world! 

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Janelle to learn more about her as a quilter, teacher, and business owner. I discovered she teaches at all hours of the day and night - thanks to the benefits of Zoom - and that she is in love with her Tula Pink unicorn pins! Not only is Janelle passionate about quilting and teaching, she's also a world traveler and makes a mean risotto. Janelle is a delight to talk with and I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. 

Get to know Janelle and check out her bio page to book a Scrappy Applique event! 

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Q: How did you get into Quilting?

Janelle: My husband and I went on a trip to Japan, and we always bring back souvenirs. When we went on that trip, I found these adorable swatches of fabric, and I thought, "Oh, I'm going to take them home." Only to discover when I got home, they were actually fat quarters. And those fat quarters then became a rag quilt. And that was my very first patched quilted piece. The first one got me hooked!

Q: Shannon often talks about Creative Practices. Are there any that you resonate with?

Janelle: Yes, to Try Something New with each Project. I love to learn, I love to stitch, and then I love to create. And with that, I think quilting is the perfect crafting and medium for me, because with that, I'm learning every day. There are so many techniques we can learn. There are so many quilt blocks we can learn. And I just love bringing that learning into every project that I do.

Q: What is your favorite Scrappy Applique pattern?

Janelle: I'd have to say the Globe. Being away from home and being an expatriate, I love that I can bring it a little bit of Australia into it. I found some fabric that has Australia printed on it, so that's in my Australia. I have to say, that's my favorite one. 

Check out Janelle's Globe quilt!

Q: What is it that you really enjoy about teaching?

Janelle: I love the creative process and that everybody has a unique piece when they're finished. So there can be three people in the class that have chosen the elephant and every single elephant is different. They bring their own unique characteristics, their own color choices into the design. And, when each person cuts out their applique piece, there is just a shriek of thrill through the room. It's like, "Oh my goodness! Look what I've done!" I even find people that are not big fans of applique come back and say they love the process. They've tried it, they've given it a shot and they really just love when they get to that final stage of cutting it out and they look at their piece. They're so happy that they've done it.

Wouldn't you love to have Janelle share with your guild?  Click here to learn more and connect with Janelle.