Meet Kathy Kuryla

Franklin, Tennessee

Kathy Kuryla (rhymes with “gorilla”) grew up in New York State and moved to Tennessee 13 years ago. She started quilting in 1981. By 1998, quilting had become a passion for Kathy.

Kathy is a machine quilter through and through! She actually started hand quilting in 1981, but gave it up when she developed carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s when she discovered machine quilting and she hasn’t looked back since!!

Join me as I quiz Kathy about her family, her quilting, and more quilting!!


Kathy, tell me about your family. What do they think about your quilting?

“I think the attitude of my family about quilting has definitely changed over the years. I think this result of my change of attitude that reflects back to them. At first, it was a hobby and now it is a business and a passion. When I took it seriously myself, they also began to see it seriously. My husband encouraged me to go into the quilting business. I hear my son and my daughter talk to their friends about me and I hear how proud they are of me!”


What other hobbies do you have besides quilting?

“Who wants time to do anything else?! I do a little gardening, mostly to assist my husband who is an avid gardener.”


Do you have any pets? Do they try to “quilt” with you?

“Oh yes! I had a dog, which would put her back next to my foot pedal so that when I pressed the pedal, her back would get scratched. I also have two cats, which lay upon my project as I try to quilt it.”


Please tell me a funny story about your quilting.

“It’s more embarrassing than funny. When I was first quilting, I was hand quilting using a stencil. I didn’t know that you should quilt where there was template plastic. When the cut line stopped on the template, I stopped quilting. When the cut area appeared again, I started quilting. I didn’t know you were supposed to continue on to make one continuous line!”


Do you work from patterns? Do you innovate your own designs? Or both?

“I mostly work from patterns, but I do, on occasion, make my own designs. I would like to do more of my own.”


What’s your favorite color scheme in a quilt?

“It’s hard to pinpoint because I like it all. When I am looking at brights, a pastel attracts me, only to be followed by a lovely country looking quilt. Who can choose?!”


Do you work in a series with your quilts?

“When I first started going to quilt shows, it always struck me odd that people would work in series and then boringly call them I, II, III etc. I now see the reasoning behind doing a series. With each quilt, you improve or diversify what you did on the one before. I might even do a series someday, but you will never catch me calling them I, II, III!”


What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

“It has to be the quilting. I can’t wait to get to the quilting! I find myself planning the quilt around the quilting…. I want lots of space for the quilting and I want big borders for lots of quilting. I love to quilt on tops that I haven’t worked on. They are fresh and new. That’s not to say that I don’t ever piece. I am enjoying the piecing process more these days because I do less of it and when I do a pieced project, it is fun.”


Tell me more about your machine quilting.

“I love machine quilting. There is nothing like sitting down and watching a pieced top be enhanced by the quilting. It adds a whole new dimension to the quilt.

“Getting the right equipment makes all the difference in the world. You need a good sewing machine that sits down into the cabinet. Then it’s not a struggle to do the quilting. I use a Brother 1500 to do all my machine quilting…. I love this machine!”


Please tell me about your favorite quilt shop. What makes it special?

“I like the visual atmosphere at the Sew Bee It Shop in Ringgold, Ga. The walls and décor are absolutely lovely. I like the classroom area at Quilter’s Attic in Goodlettsville, Tenn.… plenty of room. I like Country Quilting and Stitchery in Clarksville Tenn. for the way they present their colors, but I love my store because it’s mine! I can’t wait to go in each day. I love to talk to the people who stop by whether it is to shop or just to chat. I think we are very friendly and helpful to all our customers. I hope someday to combine all of the assets of the stores I have listed above into my store."


Is your best friend a quilter?

“Yes, not only is my best friend a quilter, but she’s also my business partner. We know each other’s minds sometimes. Kay and I met through the Cumberland Valley quilting guild in 1998. We teamed up to travel to quilt shows together and this friendship developed into a business.”


Tell me more about your business.

“We started The Quilting Squares in 2002. Kay Roberts and I began vending at Quilt shows within a 500-mile radius of Nashville. Using The Square In A Square Ruler (developed by Jodi Barrows) and products as our backbone, we ventured into the world of quilting as vendors. We have had great adventures together. After a year of working out of our homes, we decided to get a place to store our products. We found a place and along with it, decided that since we were paying rent, why not open it up to the public. That was our backwards way of getting into the retail business. Our shop has been open a year and is going quite well. We hope to expand within the next couple of years.”


Do you have any tips or advice for beginners?
“Be precise. Don’t rush to get it done…enjoy the process. Explore your own ideas and be creative.


Do you have any suggestions for quilters who are trying to fit more quilting time into the day?

“I am so fortunate to have my machine in the family room. They spend hours in front of the TV and I can spend hours in front of the sewing machine. My family understands my need for quilting and is supportive. The only time they get mad is when I ask about something happening on the TV…. if I had been paying attention, I would have known.”


I hope that you have enjoyed this glimpse into the quilting world of Kathy Kuryla. I want to add just a few more things. Kathy is a wonderful teacher and you’ll probably never guess her favorite class to teach…machine quilting! (duh!!). Kathy’s love of machine quilting bubbles over into all she does and teaches. Recently, Kathy has been an instructor at some of the major quilting shows (and even a judge at the Nashville AQS show!!). Be sure to watch for Kathy’s classes and sign up fast, since they always fill up!

You’ll also want to make a beeline for The Quilting Squares booth when you visit a show. And if you are in the middle Tennessee area, stop by their shop! It’s little, but mighty, and very friendly!! I promise you’ll enjoy it.


Contact Information:
The Quilting Squares Studio
103 Confederate Drive
Franklin, Tennessee
www.thequiltingsquares.com