Welcome to my sewing room!

I'm Eva Saunders, owner of Gingerly Quilt Co! I have been sewing since I was a little "bobbin"! My grandma was a seamstress and hanging out with her in her sewing room was always so inspiring and educational. I watched her sew for clients, hand quilted beautiful quilts with her or learned how to design and alter my own clothes from her.

So today I want to welcome you into my sewing room! I have a background in visual arts, design, teaching and filmmaking - so I thought why not combine these talents with sewing to help you grow as an artist and quilter! I hope you find this space supportive and inspiring.

You? An artist? - Yes, of course! I believe that there is an artist waiting to be unleashed in everyone. Growing as an artist means moving out of your comfort zone, learning new skills and keeping an open heart and mind.

As a designer, I love dreaming up modern and approachable quilt patterns for all quilting levels! But I won't stop there. If you've ever thought about getting into art quilting and were looking for a modern approach to that, I'm happy to announce that I will branch off into online video classes very soon!

Want to know more about me?

Here are some sewing related fun facts about me.

What is your favorite color?

I really don't have one! I love all the colors of the rainbow and could not favor any ONE of them over another. But I generally like bright and warm, earthy colors.

What was your first sewing project?

When I was still very young, maybe 3-4 years old, my grandma was babysitting me over the summer. I got to play with needle and thread and her glorious button tin! She showed me how to make a knot and let me figure out the rest! I spent a loong time trying and failing to make a knot big enough that it wouldn't go through a button hole! I didn't realize that the thread goes through the fabric first... I remember how much that blew my mind. And what a pretty "button collage on fabric" I made that day.

How did you start designing patterns?

During the pandemic and while working from home, I had some extra time on my hands to get back into quilting. One day while cutting fabric, my husband commented on my "pizza cutter". I corrected him that it was indeed a rotary cutter, but I could already see the wheels turning in his mind. With a grin, he asked me to make him a pizza quilt!

After intense research, I could not find any pizza patterns to my liking, so I created and sewed my own. In my favorite online quilting group I got so much awe and praise for the idea that I decided to put my graphic design skills to good use and write a pattern. That was how Gingerly Quilt Co was born! The Exploding Pizza Quilt pattern will always have a special place in my heart.

Which sewing machine do you use?

I use a second-hand Bernina 750QE and I love it to bits! I've actually wanted a Bernina sewing machine ever since I was little. My grandma had a Bernina that was for work *only* and I was not allowed to use or touch it. So naturally, I've always wanted one... But the hype is warranted. I love how smoothly this machine sews and how easy it is to use. I've had very few problems with it once I learned how to use and take care of it properly!