Meet Sujata
Quilt-maker, science teacher,
proud wife and mom of three adult kids!
An Atypical Quiltmaker
The sewing machine I learned on, my mom’s Singer from 1963!
It’s not often you find someone from India making quilts in the American tradition!
Though I was born in India, I grew up in Ottawa, Canada from the age of 2 months! As a youngster, I was constantly busy cutting up pieces of paper or fabric and putting them back together whichever way I could, using glue, tape, stickers, and eventually needle and thread. When I was 8-years-old, I had begun to make stuffed animals by hand. The identity of the animals was unrecognizable, but I had fun figuring out ways to stitch them!
When I was 12-years-old, I finally gained the knowledge I had been craving: how to use a sewing machine! It was like unlocking the keys to creativity! From then onward, I made most of my own clothes, and designed and created home décor items. bags and gifts for friends. I tried anything that involved a sewing needle - hand embroidery, needlepoint, cross-stitch and more!
My first quilt!
Life changed when I was 19 years-old, and I made my first quilt! I saw a fun pattern in a craft magazine and decided to try it. I had no idea what I was getting into but was thrilled with the journey, piecing the top, layering the quilt, then sewing my way through it on the machine while “eyeballing” the stitching lines for the quilting. I still have that first quilt and it is cherished by my family, crooked stitching included!.
And I was hooked on making quilts!
After getting married in 1987 and moving to Phoenix, AZ, I was delighted to see the quilting revival going on, with gadgets like rotary cutters and rulers becoming widespread. Techniques like free-motion quilting and machine applique were speeding up the quilting process while still allowing for intricate designs to rival hand-quilting and hand-applique. I experimented and practiced until I could create these effects on the sewing machine.
Spreading the joy of quilting!
Now my mission is to encourage quiltmakers to try new techniques and expand their skills while building their confidence and pride in their finished projects!
I have been a public school classroom teacher for over 26 years, first teaching high school physics and math, then 2nd grade for 10 years, and now 6th grade science for 10 years. As a teacher, I strive to
Break information into digestible bites, one piece at a time,
Provide visual support with photos, diagrams and videos,
Build in opportunities to review,, practice and revise,
Reflect on successes and celebrate growth,
Set new goals for the next challenge to be mastered.
The goal of my website is to apply my teaching skills to quiltmaking, and to offer whatever guidance and encouragement I can to other quilt enthusiasts!
Why “Quilted Rhino”?
The name of my website stems from the raw-edge applique quilt I made in 2022, called Chrome Rhino in Color. It represents my best work to date, combining original design with vibrant colors using raw-edge applique, surrounded by free-motion quilting. The quilted wall-hanging was a gift for my son, Jay, who is the drummer of the rock music band Chrome Rhino based in Phoenix, AZ. My family, which includes my husband Arun, my son Jay, and daughters Amanda and Selena, are the ultimate inspiration for me for making quilts. A big thank you goes to my mom and dad, too, for giving me my start in the sewing world. My family’s loving support and encouragement over the years helped me decide to share my creations and my humble journey as a quiltmaker through a website for fellow fans of quiltmaking!
