Helene Knott

I was born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula in central California, a beautiful area that served as an inspiration to set me onto a creative path for life. From a very early age I showed a keen interest in art, starting with drawing and painting and exploring different mediums for my self-expression. As a young adult I studied art in college though I did not complete my education with a degree.

I am blessed with proficient drawing and illustration skills and have explored a number of artistic mediums. In the early 70's, I turned my attention to fiber and fabrics with a focus on quilting and embroidery. Quilting was experiencing a renaissance in popularity and making a gradual transition from utilitarian craft to an art form. I found myself intrigued by the medium; its challenges and possibilities. For the last 40 years or so, fiber and quilting has been my primary medium. I love exhibiting my work and have expanded my interest to include teaching my skills and knowledge to others to inspire a new generation of quilters and fiber artists, along with designing commercial quilt patterns.

In 1991, my family moved to Portland where we bought a home on two acres of property in a semi-rural part of Clackamas County. I began teaching fiber and quilting classes in 1999. Over the years, I have won many awards at local, regional and national quilt shows and the recognition has served me well in promoting myself as a teacher, in 2006 I was nominated forthe Teacher of the Year award by Professional Quilter Magazine though the final crown went to another teacher. Some of my quilts have appeared in the pages of books and magazines and in 1998, on the cover of Quilters Newsletter Magazine. I have expanded my interest into designing commercial quilting patterns and currently have a line of patterns that are published by Story Quilts.

In addition to art and quilting, I have a passion for gourmet cooking, books (the only place I can get into worse trouble than a fabric store), films and music.