Hometown: Spokane, Washington

Thea has been quilting since 1965. She grew up in a sewing family and passed that tradition on to her children. After retiring from nursing, she taught classes on computer quilt labels. She has now published her first book, One-of-a-Kind Quilt Labels.

Thea says. “All the great labels walked out the door”. She recreated her best labels for the book. The originals were on gift quilts for marriages, new babies, housewarmings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and Christmas presents.

“While I was very conscientious about labeling gift quilts, I was shocked to find some of my own personal quilts were ULO’s—unlabeled objects. That situation was easily remedied by computer printing  labels onto treated fabric”, says Thea.

Thea’s sewing workroom became The Royal Quiltworks after her sister-in-law jokingly named Norman and Thea’s new home The Palace. Now it’s official—The Royal Quiltworks is a registered trade name. What started in jest is now on the business license.

Sewing machines and computers are Thea’s favorite toys. "I enjoy designing and constructing quilt tops. I send them out to be machine quilted, except for the smallest ones.", recounts Thea. She also enjoys gardening and watching all the birds and animals near their hilltop home. Chipmunks and chickadees eat from her hand and the bluebirds come when she whistles.