Meet the Maker: Monika Henry

Monika first began quilting while she was a university student, and the hobby has stuck as a creative outlet ever since. “I started quilting in my first year of university, my grandma had seen an advert for a patchwork class at the local seniors’ centre and I signed up. It was a lot of fun, and I learned all the basic traditional methods. I continued with some traditional blocks, teaching myself from a book when we were posted overseas for a while, but I didn’t really find my style until I discovered the modern quilting movement,” Monika explains. Her quilting style has evolved since those first skill-building classes, with her personal aesthetic reflected in the quilts she designs for her business, Penny Spool Quilts. “I’d describe my quilting style as simplified, modern and fun. I love big block quilts, simplified designs and geometric shapes, and my favourite quilts are bright and fun and colourful,” she says.

Quilt pictured is Canadian Diamonds by Monika from Make Modern Issue 22

Monika – who is originally from Switzerland – now lives with her husband and two children in a rural area outside Ottawa, Canada’s capital. “I met my husband back in high school when I was an exchange student. We kept in touch, eventually becoming more than friends, and he moved to Switzerland for a job while I was finishing up my Geography master’s and teaching degrees. After a stint in Singapore, and having our first baby, we moved back to his hometown to take over his family’s business,” Monika explains. Now, in addition to the family business, Monika is raising two children, caring for pets and maintaining a small homestead, while also running her quilting business.

Monika realised that quilting wasn’t just a passing interest when she began consistently designing her own quilts. “I showed a quilt design to my friend and coworker and she suggested I send it to Make Modern to have it published. It became the first pattern I ever wrote for other people, and the moment I realised that people are interested in what I make.”

Pictured is Monika’s first quilt design Flocks of Colour from Make Modern Issue 19

“I do both foundation paper piecing and traditional piecing, and write patterns for both. I aspire to design patterns that are simple and fuss-free, so people can use their limited creative me-time as efficiently as possible,” Monika explains. Her patterns are very accessible, particularly because she mostly designs in solids. “Solids are my most-used fabrics. I really love Kona cotton solids simply because they have such a wide variety of colours. I’ve been using blenders a lot more lately, though, in an effort to get away from only using solids, but still find myself drawn to the solid look.”

Inspiration comes in many forms for Monika, so she’s always on the lookout for a great quilt design idea. “There are so many things that inspire me, I never know when I’ll see something that sparks an idea. I’ve taken inspiration from gift wrap, floor tiles in a Victorian home, the print on a mug, tiles being made by Moroccan artisans and much more,” she explains.

Quilt pictured is Pink Hearts Table Runner by Monika from Make Modern Issue 23

Monika does most parts of the quilting process – from designing to piecing to quilting – herself. “I do most parts myself, but sometimes use other people’s patterns, and I use a longarm service for about half of my quilts, especially the bigger ones. Having only a domestic machine to work with, I sometimes feel like I won’t be able to do my quilt justice with just straight lines, or an otherwise simple quilting design, so I’d rather send it out and have a longarmer do her magic,” she says. While quilting is a business, Monika is still very conscious of keeping the fun side of quilting happening too. “It’s a way for me to enjoy time to myself. Even though it’s my business, it’s still my hobby, too, and a way for me to unwind and do something creative. The only difference between ‘business quilting’ and ‘hobby quilting’ is what project I am working on.”

Aside from quilting, Monika’s other hobbies also have a creative bent. “I love to read and bake, and I have spent the last four years turning the bush behind our house into a useable garden, complete with flower beds and big vegetable plot. And just before the pandemic started, I decided to take up bagpiping lessons, so that has been a fun adventure,” she says.

Quilt pictured is Waterproof Picnic Blanket by Monika from Make Modern Issue 27

Monika finds quilting – and the friendships she’s made from it – inspiring and enriching. “Quilting is a way to connect with others and build community, to share my passion and to switch off for a bit, depending on the situation. It’s my me-time, even when it’s business,” she says. “It’s also a social outlet. I’m a member of my local modern quilt guild, and of the Sewcial Squad on Instagram. Social media is a great place to forge new quilty friendships. The quilting community is such a fun, friendly and generous one, it’s really wonderful to have these people in my
life, face to face or virtually.”

As for the future, Monika plans for quilting to be a big part of her life – both for business and pleasure. “I’m planning to continue making fun, bright quilts, expanding my knowledge, and learning new techniques. There are always new things to do, and that excites me, even if I end up sticking to tried and true in the end,” she enthuses.

Quilt pictured is Block Adventures by Monika and her friend Katy Devlin from Make Modern Issue 40 – a fun ‘choose your own adventure’ style quilt.