This past week, Pat Oden, a dear friend and mentor passed away. Her inspiration, encouragement and support had a huge impact on my own work. In fact, she completely changed the course of my quilt making.

After moving to Sequim, Pat joined our small quilting group which met weekly to hand stitch together. From the very first time I saw her quilts, I was intrigued by her freehand improvisational piecing, her use of gorgeous hand dyed fabric and her abstract geometric aesthetic. Pat had attended several Nancy Crow workshops over the years. She credited her time studying at the Barn as foundational to her work. It was such an honor for her to have a quilt accepted into Quilt National 2011. I encourage you to see a sampling of her beautiful work in the galleries on her website.

Pat taught me how to cut without a ruler, how to dye fabric, how to face a quilt and so much more. She encouraged me to exhibit my work. First locally and then in larger shows. I am forever in her debt.

She was also a wonderful friend. We shared many happy times and a few hard ones, too.

I am so very grateful for the time we had together and so very sad it was too short.