Michael Nardi

When I was 7 years old my grandmother put a needle in my hand and began to teach me everything she knew about hand-sewing. I learned how to sew by hand using my coloring books. My grandmother would tear out a page and make me sew in the lines to practice my stitch length.

Throughout the years I’ve worn many different hats and tried to find my place in this wondrous

world. At one point, I was lost and searching for my purpose. I was surfing YouTube and discovered Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Company. The next day I signed up for a learn-to-sew class. At this point I had never used a sewing machine in my life! I loved the first class and went on to take more, and quilting became my whole world! 

Now I'm a pattern writer, published quilt designer, and successful quilt instructor. Who knew that an Italian boy from the South-side of Chicago would end up where I am? I thank God every day for shining his light on me through this amazing craft. Someone asked me once why I chose quilting and I said, "Because through quilting I found myself again.”