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About Karen
Karen Jarrett, Certified Quiltworx Instructor
Karen Jarrett is a Certified Quiltworx Instructor who has been teaching quilters for more than 35 years. She focuses on helping students sew with confidence, and she is especially good with quilters who are new to foundation paper piecing.
- 35+ years teaching
- 40+ Quiltworx projects
- Designs in Quiltster
Her story
A lifetime at the sewing machine
Karen started sewing as a girl, inspired by the things her mother made by hand. Her first quilt was for her daughter's bed, and that one quilt turned into a lifelong love of quilting.
Over more than 35 years of teaching she has helped quilters learn new techniques, and she has owned Sandy's Fabrics and Machines in Kennewick, Washington. Now she is stepping back from the shop to put her full attention on teaching Quiltworx classes and retreats.
In her first two years with Quiltworx she finished more than 40 projects, and she loves designing in Quiltster, the Quiltworx coloring software, where she helps students with fabric choice, color placement and layout before they ever cut.
How Karen teaches
Clear, organized and low stress
Students know Karen for a classroom where complicated techniques feel doable. She wants every quilter to feel welcomed, supported and successful, and to leave inspired to keep quilting.
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Calm and supportive
Karen keeps the classroom relaxed, so you can ask anything and work at your own pace.
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Manageable steps
Complex Judy Niemeyer patterns are broken into small, clear steps you can follow with confidence.
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Preparation first
Accurate cutting, organized units and a real understanding of the process, so the piecing goes smoothly.
Made by Karen
A few of Karen's Quiltworx quilts
Karen teaches from her own work. Her finished Judy Niemeyer quilts include Arctic Star Mixer, Carnival Flower, Fields of Aster and Jungle Magnolia.
Certifications
Trained to teach many ways
Beyond Quiltworx, Karen holds teaching certifications across sewing, garment fitting and machine embroidery, which helps her adapt to the way each student learns best.
See Karen's Quiltworx instructor profile (opens in a new tab)- Certified Quiltworx Instructor
- Certified OESD Master Embroiderer
- Palmer Pletsch
- Martha Pullen
- Jenny Haskins
- Kids Can Sew
- KimberBell
- HoopSisters
- FitNice
Learn paper piecing with Karen
Take a class, join a retreat, or invite Karen to teach your guild or quilt shop.