McTavish Quilting, Fabrics
& APQS Showroom

About Karen

. . . working as a longarm quilter since 1997
Karen McTavish sitting on a chair in front of colored spools of thread
Karen McTavish at the studio (photo by Wolfskull Creative)

Author

Karen has published the following books with OnWord Bound Books, Duluth Minnesota (2001 - 2015):

All of these books are now out of print. It is our goal to bring some of this archival content to you through our new online learning series.

We have started by releasing archival video, now available in the quilting free-motion victorian feathers and the art of mctavishing: a free-motion quilting technique courses.

This series will continue to expand over the coming months.

Award-winning quilter

Karen has worked as a longarm quilter since 1997. She has won many national/international awards and is respected as an accomplished fiber artist and as one of the innovators of the machine quilting industry.

Karen is known internationally as the creator of a style of quilting referred to as "McTavishing." She teaches quilting throughout the US and abroad.

McTavish Quilting Studio LLC

physical space

Opened June 2015, the studio is specially equipped for modern/traditional/ contemporary art quilting.

The studio contains a full selection of quilts displayed for purchase. The studio makes commissioned quilts for customers and offers repair of old quilts. We produce unique quilts and provide both computerized and custom longarm quilting services.

The space has hosted several community groups such as the Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild. The studio often participates in fundraisers to raise money for not-for-profit groups and has hosted a long-running "open sew night" for the Duluth community.

The studio also provides a retail working showroom for APQS longarm quilting machines and is an official showroom of APQS in Duluth, Minnesota.

McTavish Quilting Studio Connects Makers

from Making It Up North
Karen McTavish brought her machine-quilting skills to a new audience when she opened her studio to the public. Since then she's built a community of modern quilters who learn at her shop. Step into an average Tuesday at McTavish Quilting Studio with Making It Up North.

That's So McTavish

from Kristen Vake TV
"That's So McTavish" by reporter Kristen Vake and photographer Reece Lindquist was the first place winner in the feature category at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awards in May, 2017.

Selected quilting awards

pdf version