On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a successful career in quilting with my guest, Eleanor Burns.
Eleanor Burns is truly a star in the quilting industry. She entered the field in 1978 with a self-published book, “Make a Quilt in a Day-Log Cabin Pattern.” Her innovative techniques in “strip piecing” made quilting possible for busy sewers and remains popular today. Eleanor’s signature technique is to take time treasured patterns and make them quick and easy to sew with new methods.
In 1990, Eleanor pioneered the way people view quiltmaking with her Quilt in a Day television series, which still broadcasts nationwide. She continues to be a highly sought after teacher and demonstrates her patterns and techniques on the Quilt in a Day website, live streaming webinars, and on YouTube.
A video from Eleanor’s Tales of First Ladies series.
In 1998 Eleanor designed her first fabric collection, “Anniversary Florals,” with Benartex. She’s designed several more since then and has also collaborated in designing several special edition sewing machines. To date, Eleanor has published over 150 books and patterns and created numerous quilt rulers, templates and tools.
In this interview Eleanor explains how she got transitioned from a career as a special education teacher in Pennsylvania to a quilting instructor in California. Hear how visiting a square dancing costume outlet led her to develop strip piecing as a quilting technique. She also tells a truly funny story about hoisting her younger son into the dumpster at the OP clothing factory to get scrap corduroy for quilts.
All of Eleanor’s books have been self-published and she’s produced all of her own television shows. She’s truly an example of a self-publishing success story. Hear how she pitched to get her show on the Learning Channel and then on PBS.
I ask her how she first started doing her signature move – throwing the scraps behind her as she cuts – and Eleanor tells that story. As she was building her business Eleanor was a single, working mom and she talks about what that was like and how she balanced caring for her children and being an entrepreneur.
And, of course, I ask Eleanor to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Eleanor recommends:
- How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan (affiliate link)
- the Accuquilt Go! Big machine (affiliate link)
- 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby McKim (affiliate link)
Keep up with Eleanor on the Quilt in a Day website.
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Great interview! By the way, it’s pronounced. BENartex, not benARTex. Think of me saying that in my best Herrmione Granger voice, LOL!!
Thanks for the great interview with Eleanor. Her quilt books are the best. I often refer to her books when sewing her instructorns are so easy to understand and follow. I have taken classes with her and attended her lectures, she is just wonderful with all her students. Shati
What an inspirational and enjoyable episode this is! Thanks, Abby and Eleanor.
how nice to hear something up to date on Ms Burns. The only thing missing was some info re her health challenge suffered earlier .. Perhaps she was not interested in discussing this. We did receive an email with the info at the time. After that we did not get any updates for the longest time. She sounded just as enthused about what she is doing as the very first time I saw her on one of those earlier shows when she was throwing her fabric over her shoulder.
She did one of her quilt in a day programs at a local quilt shop and wouldnt you know i was ill and unable to keep my reservation.
Thank you
Great interview Abby. It was funny to hear about the class you took. My first quilt class was the Quilt in a Day Log Cabin at G Street Fabrics around 1994 or 1995. I was studying in DC at the time. I loved that store. I think it is gone now. BTW, I have the third edition of the book. What about you?
How funny! I’m not seeing an edition number on mine. It just says first printing 1988 and copyright 1988.
I was very surprised to hear Ms. Burns use the term “mongoloid”, as it is very outdated and considered offensive. I assume she was referring to children with Down Syndrome (trisomy 21). I haven’t heard it used since the 80s!
I think she was upfront that terminology has changed. She taught for six years after graduate school and that was a long while ago since she is 72.
Hi Abby,
I really enjoyed your podcast with Eleanor Burns. I hope I’m still sewing and sharing my knowledge of sewing when I am 72!
Kathy
Me too!