We’re so excited to welcome a new face to the Island Batik Ambassador team — say hello to Susan Michaels of Dragonfly Fiberart Pattern Company! Susan lives in Stratham, New Hampshire, and brings a joyful mix of experience, creativity, and community spirit to everything she does. She’s been sewing all her life, quilting for over 30 years, and has a real love for making bags and teaching both her own designs and others. You might’ve seen her patterns featured in American Patchwork & Quilting, Quilts & More, ANESH, or AQS — and now, we’re lucky to have her here with us!
Time for a Q&A with Susan!
Island Batik: What inspired you to start sewing or quilting, and how has your passion evolved over time?
Susan: I have always sewn, crafted, crocheted, knitted, gardened etc from my earliest memories. I grew up in a rural area where sewing home dec items and clothing was commonplace. I belonged to 4H clubs for sewing and handcrafts when I was young and as a young woman in the workforce, I sewed my own clothing. We made tied quilts when I was young. As an adult, I started sewing pieced quilts from simple patterns and hand quilting. My passion for quilting has really evolved over the past 30 years, exploring new techniques, designing quilts, teaching and always experimenting. I quilt for me, not just to make the quilt.
When creating a new project, how do you decide on the design or patterns you use?
I let the fabric tell me what it wants to be. I know that may sound a bit odd but the colors, scale of the print and the overall pattern do dictate the types of items it can be successfully. I love fabric and I work to create a design that will complement the motifs of the fabric to achieve the final project. Sometimes the outcomes are surprising and others disappointing but choosing the fabric is my favorite part of sewing. Most of what I sew is original. I rarely use other folk’s patterns unless it is a very unique technique or design. I always have sketches and ideas waiting to evolve. I have a million quilts I would like to make!
What is the most meaningful or memorable quilt you’ve ever made, and what makes it special to you?
That’s a tough one! So many are meaningful, especially those I make for my family. Memorable quilts of recent years would be my Summer Sampler all in Kaffe fabrics that was fun and fabulous and my Harlequin quilt which is currently touring with the AQS shows. They are special in their uniqueness as well as the evolution in my piecing that was required to make them better than just good.
How do you balance creativity and precision when working on intricate quilting projects?
I just go slow! I really value precision and I am constantly working to improve my skillsets. If my creativity has made the sewing too difficult to achieve precision, I set the piece aside for a while, then tackle it again. I do not like to cede territory on either front! This can be detrimental at times as it takes a long time to finish some pieces but I usually feel it is worth the effort. I create for the joy of making.
Have you ever incorporated personal or cultural stories into your work? If so, how do you convey them through fabric?
I think we all put a bit of our personal story in a quilt just by the selection of the fabrics, colors and design. Our choices are always a reflection of who we are and they are unique. I do not think I work cultural stories in although I may do something that is to convey a message. During Covid, I dd an online sew along of house blocks and exchanged these with people all over the world. People added small things into their houses to reflect what being constantly at home meant to them. Images in the windows, items outside or just their fabric choices. Covid definitely impacted our culture and it was interesting to see the many viewpoints.
What do you think sewing or quilting teaches about patience, resilience, or self-expression?
I think it is all those things wrapped together. It definitely teaches patience. Rushing causes mistakes and undoing costs more time so patience is a must. Resilience when things don’t quite come out the way you envision so you try it a different way. Also resilience in our process. As we age, some things become difficult to do so we rebound and take a different path. Quilting is an artform. Yes, a quilt is useful but the majority of the quilts I make are because something in my head needed to take a physical form. My choice of colors, quilting style and types of quilts all are self-expression.
How do you approach the process of choosing fabrics, colors, and textures for your projects?
I usually start with some idea that has been percolating for a while and a sketch in one of my many notebooks. Sometimes I hunt for just the right fabric for a while but when I least expect it, it usually finds me. I love texture and layering and I use all types of fabric not just quilting fabrics. Bark cloth, mud cloth, hand painted pieces, silk, wool, leather, yarns etc all find their way into my pieces. Not necessarily art quilts but just interesting pieces or quilts with a bit of a twist. I love making bags and these truly satisfy my need to experiment with different types of materials and finishes.
What challenges or mistakes have you encountered during your work, and how have they shaped your skills or perspective?
My biggest mistakes usually happen when I try to rush or not pay attention to instruction. Sometimes, mistakes turn into something unexpected that is good and sometimes not but it does change your perspective when working through the creative process. I do make mistakes, but I try to not make the same ones. Making new mistakes are part of the process as well and help you hone your skillsets, so I do embrace them when they happen.
How do you feel when you complete a piece—do you see it as the end of a journey, the start of a new one, or both?
I think both. When working on original pieces, you always are thinking of a way to build a better beast. The constant thoughts of ‘I should have done this another way’ or wouldn’t it have been cool to have changed something that could have been more impactful are always there. So sometimes the journey just continues on a new piece that was inspired by the one just completed.
If you could pass on one lesson or piece of advice to someone just starting to sew or quilt, what would it be and why?
Do not be self-critical. Celebrate your creativity and journey even though it may not be ‘perfect’. Your project is uniquely yours and will have your touches everywhere. Trying to be perfect sometimes takes away the joy. But also, if you are passionate about sewing or quilting, always try to improve. Do it in baby steps. Don’t try to conquer perfection, intricate design, perfect color choices etc all at once. Take each project, look at it when finished and say I am happy as I have created. Then say, next time, I’ll work a bit on precision or technique or whatever it will be then move to the new project that will bring you joy. We all sew for different reasons. Find the joy, be patient, enjoy the journey. The rest always comes with time.
Be sure to follow Susan on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook and subscribe to her blog to see what she’s working on right now!
To see the whole 2025 Island Batik Ambassador team, please visit: https://islandbatik.com/2025-ambassadors/
Is there anything else you want to ask Susan? Leave us a comment below!