When Amy Davidson started quilting, she kept it a secret.
‘If I failed, I didn’t want anyone to know,? she says.
Now, 10 years later, Davidson, 41, is more successful than she ever dreamed she could be– designing and selling her own quilt patterns. She began her own company, Humble Bee Quilt Works, a year and a half ago and to date has sold 2,500 of her pattern designs. Davidson recently saw her eighth original pattern published.
The Goodrich resident got her start in quilting indirectly. Her mother had given her a sewing machine when Davidson’s children were little.
‘I made their clothes and then made dolls and fabric was calling my name,? she says. ‘It was all about color and fabric and it started pulling me into quilting.?
Davidson taught herself how to quilt by reading books. Two years after she started, she began teaching others, continuing to learn herself. She likes the creativity of quilting and that it serves a purpose when completed.
‘You have a quilt, which is comforting, nurturing, loving,? Davidson said. ‘It’s very homey.?
Davidson makes all of her quilts by machine because it’s quicker. She needs the timesaver because she is busy– designing the quilts, writing instructions and then printing, photographing, and selling the patterns to distributors and shops.
Davidson got the idea to design her own patterns after being asked by a quilt fabric company to make quilts to show their fabric. The thought occured to her that she could sell her own patterns multiple times rather than making one sale.
Her inspiration for designs is varied. Some of her patterns she dreamed of and others she created by playing with blocks or software. The creation of one design was particularly memorable– Davidson was in a chiropractor’s office when she jumped up, ran out to her car and found a McDonald’s napkin where she drew out a design.
‘I’m inspired by everything around me,? says Davidson, who also teaches quilting classes at Mabelena, 470 Mill St. and credits store owner Brenda Heffernan with helping her get started.
Davidson’s inspiration has made her successful– three months ago, she got into what she calls ‘the big dogs,? national distribution.
‘It’s been gangbusters since then,? says Davidson, who is currently working on two new patterns. ‘My husband asks me every day when he can retire. I feel so blessed to work at something I love and do it every day.?
Davidson’s website can be visited at www.humblebeequiltworks.com.