About Me

I was born in Germany and lived there until I was almost eight. My mother was a trained tailor and spent much of her life doing alterations at home so she could stay home with my sister and I. Growing up, I often spent hours playing “under my mother’s sewing machine”. I thought sewing was a natural part of life, something that everyone did. – You get up, brush your teeth, comb your hair and sew. –

I  learned at a young age how to sew, cross-stitch, crochet and craft. At twelve I sewed all the clothing for dolls that a neighbor sold at a church bazaar, and in exchange I got to choose one doll to keep.

As a teenager all my extra money went to fabric, unlike my friends who bought make-up and music. By the time I was a young adult I was making quilts, wall-hangings and place-mats as gifts for friends, without really understanding that I was “Quilting”.

My family moved to Kamloops in 1988, and while searching for fabric for Christmas stockings, I spotted a poster for a local “Quilter’s Guild”. I called the number and spoke to a woman who later ended up working for me for over eleven and a half years.

Owning a fabric and quilting store is the most natural thing I can imagine. I love how the business has changed over the years as we update to current trends and the changing tastes of our customers. I’m always learning something new and coming up with fresh ideas to share with those who shop in our store. 

In Fall 2008 Katja’s Quilt Shoppe was featured in Better Homes and Garden’s Quilt Sampler magazine.

Since then I have been published several times and my first book The New Hexagon became a huge bestseller.

Thank you,
Katja Marek