Meet Eleanor Burns

Twenty eight years ago Eleanor Burns introduced her first Quilt in a Day book, beginning a quilt making revolution. She presented her unique style, a diverse combination of cutting and sewing applications, creating new techniques altogether. Her quilting techniques replaced scissors and templates with rips and strips, bringing rotary speed to patchwork. She also presented an incredibly rapid stitching system, applying the method of assembly-line sewing to piece work. This invited all types of sewers to participate in an age-old tradition. Her concise, step-by-step directions were easy to grasp, allowing the possibility for anyone to be successful at making a quilt. Eleanor Burns gave quilt makers techniques that compacted months into merely a day, a quilt in a day, spreading her vibrant enthusiasm within everyone. She motivated thousands of want-to-be quilters with needed-confidence and assurance. Altogether, the impact of her influences opened the door to a renewal. Her efforts sowed the seeds that have grown into many techniques that are commonly used today. Since then, her name and techniques have become synonymous with quilt making because her contributions and life's story are equal in inspiration and fate brought to the art of piecing a beautiful quilt.

Since 1978, when Eleanor self-published that first book "Make a Quilt in a Day: Log Cabin Pattern," she has authored seventy additional books that sell at a rate of well over 6,500 per week. That first book, which is still her most sought-after publication, is the No. 1 best-selling book at JoAnn's Craft Stores around the country. She even changed the way people view quilts with television. Her Quilt in a Day TV series began airing on PBS in 1990 and is still broadcasting nationwide and abroad, teaching patchwork in countries like Japan. Adding to all of that, a quarter of a century later she has gained several fabric lines, a special edition sewing machine, numerous awards and top recognition for her lifetime of achievements. It's no wonder that the quilting industry calls Eleanor Burns the "Queen of Quilting," and the "First Lady of Quilting."

By 1987, she was writing, lecturing and teaching while operating a growing business in San Marcos, California. Eleanor, her sons, sisters, and small staff of family-like employees worked hard to maintain a quilt store while handling wholesale mail-order duties. The 14,000 square foot complex also included a television production studio where she first produced her "Quilt In a Day" TV show. Initially the shows were aired on The Learning Channel, TLC, but in 1990 the PBS network began broadcasting her series.

Over a decade later, she continues to produce her very popular series there, with 13 to 26 new shows per year. Viewers who watch her program feel as if they are sitting-in on a quilting bee because of her down-to-earth style. She has incorporated the Quilt in a Day technique with traditional quilt patterns, making some of the most intricate designs simple. This key element contributes to her longevity, making her shows timeless. Her instructions are balanced-out with the teaching of the fundamentals, history, and the traditions of quilting that she communicates with her fun-loving humor. She's a natural at public speaking, teaching newcomers and experts with equal force. And Eleanor has also created many sensible quilting implements; yet, she never hesitates to showcase outside products or quilters in lieu of finding a better way, thus making her a favorite to many.

Eleanor's favorite Clover tools:

Ultimate Scissors - these scissors offer an incredibly silky smooth action and sharpest cut. The Ultimate scissors are perfect for cutting fabric pieces.

45mm Rotary Cutter - Clover Rotary Cutters offer great comfort and smooth cutting.

Eleanor's Achievements and Awards

Visit Eleanor's website at www.quiltinaday.com to see her full collection of quilts, books, patterns and free Quilt in a Day Videos Online.