Episode 02: Amanda Murphy
This casual conversation with Amanda Murphy takes us on an inspired‐filled journey, from her humble beginnings as aspiring tween sewist to a professional graphic designer to the twist and turns that led her to the career she loves and excels at today.
Although her parents weren’t in creative fields, Amanda consider them to be her greatest influencers as they were always supportive of her creative endeavors, and they instilled in her the belief that she could do and be whatever she wanted. It was her parents who time and time again encouraged her to dive into her passions and see where the journey took her. To this day, Amanda’s mother continues to show her unwavering support.
Amanda’s love of fabric and working with her hands goes back to when she was in elementary school. It all began with what Amanda refers to as, “an atrocious pink lace dress” she made for her mother; although her mother saw the imperfections in the dress she never let on. Much to Amanda’s amazement, her mother actually wore the dress. Years later, when she brought the subject up in conversation, her mother admitted that she had only worn it once. Laughing, Amanda continues with her story, “But she faked it. She seemed pleased with it at the time. That’s what I mean about parents being important influencers.” (5:27-6:20)
After she had kids herself, Amanda took a few years off from her industrial and graphic design career. During that time she created a book of designs and sent them to a fabric company on a whim. As it turns out, the company loved them and her career in quilting began. She didn’t realize, until years later, how influential her original career in graphic design had been until she started applying those skills when working on her website or drawing patterns.
In our conversation, Amanda shares that for her, the experience of creating is far more important than the end product. It’s about the joy of making and creating. (7:25-8:10) She says the fact that her career allows her to do a broad range of things keeps her job interesting. Whether she’s buying fabric, writing patterns, sewing, acting in the capacity of a BERNINA Expert or Quilting and Longer Spokesperson or teaching, Amanda’s heart and mind are consistently engaged.
Amanda loves helping others stretch their boundaries, and to try new things that take them out of their comfort zone. (9:22-9:50) She shares how exciting it is when students try something they saw her do and didn’t think they could do, and then they accomplish it. She talks about her love of teaching and how it informs her design by helping her to think in a different way. She also reveals that when she began teaching, it was way out of her comfort zone, but now it is one of her greatest sources of inspiration. Another example of Amanda stepping outside of her comfort zone is when she created an exquisite all-gold guilt for BERNINA’s 125th anniversary. Her 35-plus year journey in this profession, is rich in discovery and accomplishments.
Her explanations and explorations of free motion and ruler work quilting and going from handwork to machine are both fascinating and enlightening. Amanda describes in detail how free motion and ruler work are the yin and yang of quilting, and how they work together to bring life to a piece. (11:08-15:15) As much as she loves the amazing things computerized quilting systems allow her to do, Amanda still loves the imperfection and look of hand touch.
During our time together Amanda talks about the importance of community and of having mentors and people to bounce ideas off and who you trust for feedback, because sometimes people can see things in you that you can’t see yourself, (19:45-23:48). Her descriptions of the creative process during this podcast are poetry in motion; a poetry these words can’t do justice to. Be sure to tune in and listen to this amazing artisan as she shares her journey with us.
You can learn more about Amanda at blog.amandamurphydesign.com You can also check out her Facebook group, Quilting With Amanda Murphy, her Pinterest page, and numerous YouTube videos.