Maria O'Haver
I started Pangor Quilt Design Studio in 2005 to take my love of quilting to the next level. I've come to love quilts of all styles and colors. The variety in quilting keeps it interesting and challenging!
When I'm not quilting, you can find me tending to my garden, traveling, and spending quality time with my beautiful family, including our two current feline family members. |
My first quilt was made from a kit I purchased while on vacation. I didn't like traditional quilt patterns, but decided to give quilt making a try when I saw a beautiful scenic design from McKenna Ryan. I wasn't quite sure about the process, so I cut all the fabric pieces with scissors!
My love of quilting began in earnest when a coworker took me on a lunch trip to a quilt fabric store. I signed up for the block-of-the-month at a shop, and starting taking classes. |
I was working full-time at a biotechnology company, and had little time for quilting. But I continued taking a class or two, and began learning about different styles and methods. Stack-N-Whack was great fun, and impressionist quilts were an early favorite style. My fabric stash also began to grow.
Job circumstances changed and I had the opportunity to retire early. I went to work part-time at a quilt store near my home. There I learned more about fabrics and tools, and gathered experience making quilts for the shop. Teaching was part of the job, and I found great enjoyment in sharing what I'd learned. Seeing the creative process in my students was (and is) very exciting! |
I am driven to continue learning and like to keep busy, so I started working for other quilt shops -- teaching and making store samples. Making quilts on commission gave me an opportunity to try out techniques and styles outside my comfort zone.
In 2005, I organized my various quilting activities, which had grown to include work for customers, in addition to the quilt stores, and started my own business, Pangor Quilt Design Studio. The business is named after my favorite Siamese cat, Pangor, who was always around when I was sewing and quilting. |