About Me

 

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for visiting The Knotty Quilter! I'm so excited to share my love for sewing and crafting with like-minded artists, like you.

My name is Jonny Sherwood, I am from Gardnerville a small agriculture farm town in Nevada, but I've called Charleston, South Carolina home since 2006. I learned how to sew at the age of 10 from my grandmother, Lois, who had an old Singer sewing machine. We spent a lot of time together crafting and sewing while I was growing up, along with my little cousin Stormy who is more like my little brother. I grew up in a tight knit family. My mother was a single mom who raised three kids with help from our family village. 

 My grandmother had a little side biz, making pouty dolls. They were dolls that stood on their own and one would set them facing the wall in a corner of the room, so it looked like there was a small child standing there, pouting. It's kind of creepy when you really think about it, but it was my grandmas jam, so we didn't question it. She of course needed help, so there I was at her side sewing doll bodies and doll dresses. Ever the entrepreneur, my grandmother paid $2 for each body and dress I produced for her, which taught me to value my craft and hustle to get ahead. Thank you, grandma!

From there I tried to sew clothes, but I realized quickly that I didn't really like to sew clothing, so my focus wandered elsewhere for a few years.

I was 24 years old when I moved to Charleston, where I met my partner of 14 years. Here, I backstitched my way to sewing again when my partner and I wanted to make a coverlet for a headboard that we had. So, I followed in my grandma's steps and purchased a singer sewing machine, from there my sewing journey took off. 

 Well, kind of....

 It was more like my obsession with fabric bordered a hoarder's paradise. I found myself spending hours upon hours in fabric stores organizing their discount bins/tables, just to make sure I wasn't missing out on a fabric piece that I needed. Since I wasn't getting paid to organize their clearance areas, I can just imagine the staff might have thought I was coming undone at the seams.

 I would use my fabulous finds to sew here and there, making pillows and small blankets or little bags for family, friends and loved ones. Until I discovered quilting. I fell hard and my passion for fabric grew deeper than I could imagine. I love quilting for so many reasons: it's calming, it isn't really messy (although my partner begs to differ), and I'm fascinated by the fact that it's an art that has been around for centuries, passed down for generations across so many communities. I like that it is made with love and that each quilt is unique, and of course it feeds my inner hunger for fabric.

There are many reasons why fabric brings me such joy, perhaps too many to list, but here are a couple that might explain where my adoration for fabric stems from and why I went into business selling the best of it. 

First, is the eye's delight. The designers behind the prints I select are so talented. They truly put their heart and soul into making these beautifully detailed designs for us to enjoy. 

Second, is the feel! These manufactures are driven by making sure we have amazing product to work with. The way that they weave and dye the fabrics to make different textures and colors that last us a life time, is an undeniable gift. 

As if these two reasons alone weren't enough, I feel blessed that by creating this space I get to be part of the fabric community. I love that I get to help people who enjoy fabrics as much as I do, and fill their home with the happiness that their art invokes.

Thank you for stopping by and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I hope you enjoy the shop and I look forward to helping in any way I can. 

Peace, Love, Light 

Jonny Sherwood