Threading Hope: Jennifer Worthen's Quilting Journey and a Call for Sup – Quilting Books Patterns and Notions

Today, we pause our usual content to support a designer who is facing an unimaginable journey. The quilting community is a family; we come together when one of us is in need. We want to take this time to introduce you to Jennifer Worthen of Slightly Biased Quilts, not just as a talented designer but as a mother navigating an incredibly difficult path. Her family is now facing a challenge no one should ever have to endure, and we hope to rally the quilting community around her in support.

Through the flow of needle and thread, Jennifer has found both art and solace. Her journey into quilting began in 2009, during graduate school in Austin, Texas. What started as a serendipitous encounter through a book club led her to a lifelong passion. One stitched together with determination, discovery, and deep creative joy.

Back then, quilting tutorials weren’t as accessible as they are today. Instead of YouTube guides, Jennifer turned to blog posts, Flickr communities, and online forums to teach herself the craft. With limited resources but boundless enthusiasm, she even sourced free fabric from Craigslist, only to realize later that she had been working with upholstery fabric instead of quilting cotton. Once she made the switch, everything fell into place, and quilting became an obsession, an art, and eventually, a profession.

A Journey Stitched With Passion

Her quilting career began with an Etsy shop, where her first product was handmade bias tape, cleverly named Slightly Bias, the name that would eventually define her brand. Her first quilt design, a maple leaf quilt, started with a simple idea: "I've always wanted to make one." That one idea grew into the Changing Leaves pattern, playing with scale, negative space, and movement in a way that would become a signature of her designs.

Jennifer's journey expanded beyond pattern design when she started vending at quilt shows, beginning with Annapolis in 2022. Her success there led her to Quilt Market in 2023, where major distributors like Checker and Brewer took notice and began carrying her patterns, further solidifying her place in the quilting industry.

But beyond the business, Jennifer’s love for quilting has always been about storytelling through fabric. She finds deep joy in selecting fabrics, playing with color palettes, and carefully hand-binding each quilt. Over time, she also expanded into cross-stitching, appreciating its meditative rhythm and how it complements her quilting. For Jennifer, the beauty of quilting lies not just in the final piece, but in the process itself.

A Family’s Unimaginable Battle

But today, Jennifer’s journey has taken an unexpected and profoundly challenging turn. Her son, John, has been diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT)- a rare and aggressive form of cancer. As any parent would, Jennifer is facing this battle with unwavering strength and devotion. Yet, the road ahead is filled with medical treatments, hospital stays, and an immense financial burden. The quilting community is known for its generosity, support, and the way it wraps its own in warmth, and now, it’s our turn to rally behind Jennifer and her family.

You can follow John’s journey here:C aringBridge – John’s Story

How You Can Help

Jennifer’s quilting journey has touched so many, and now, we ask you to open your hearts and support her family in this time of need. You can show your support by:

Purchasing Jennifer’s quilt patterns – Every purchase helps sustain her work while she focuses on her son’s treatment. View Catalog Here .
Sharing her story – Spread the word within the quilting and crafting community.
Donating to John’s GoFundMe – Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in covering medical expenses and ensuring Jennifer can be by her son’s side.

Donate to John’s GoFundMe Here

Jennifer has spent years stitching love, warmth, and creativity into every quilt she’s made. Now, let’s come together to wrap her and her family in the same love and support she has given to so many others.

Thank you for opening your hearts. Let’s come together to surround Jennifer and John with love, strength, and unwavering support during this difficult time.