I'm Sylvia Schaefer, and I have been quilting since 2007. I earned a PhD in marine science before moving into quilting full-time, and my background in science often inspires my quilt designs, both directly and indirectly. My quilts and patterns have been published in magazines both online and in print (such as American Quilter, Modern Patchwork, Machine Quilting Unlimited, The Quilter's Planner, and as part of the Modern Quilt Guild's Quilt of the Month program). My work has been exhibited and won awards regionally and nationally, including ribbons at Pacific International Quilt Festival, the American Quilter’s Society show in Paducah, and MQX, among others. In 2017, I was awarded the second annual Craftsy Quilt Designer Fellowship, allowing me to start my own line of printed patterns sold in quilt shops around the world. I have also appeared on camera in Fresh Quilting and Patchwork Nation. My book, The Quilter's Negative Space Handbook, is a guide to designing modern quilts from traditional blocks.
You may contact me by emailing me at sylvia@flyingparrotquilts.com!
Why "Flying Parrot Quilts"?
I'm neither a dog nor a cat person—I've had parrots all my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way! "Flying Parrot Quilts" is a play on the traditional Flying Geese quilting block and my love of birds.
