Enjoy the Process
Sharon Galna is passionate about all things fabric. As a sewer and quilting instructor with more than 50 years experience behind a sewing machine, she has developed a recognizable, one-of-a-kind style that has been featured in various publications and shows over the last two decades.
Sharon has never been one to be defined by traditional patterns: She breaks the rules and creates new ones. Guided by bright colours, funky prints, and a quirky sense of style, she fuses self-taught techniques and crazy patterns and textures to create unforgettable pieces of art.
My Story
My mom taught me to sew when I was around 10 years old. She was an incredible seamstress and made most of her own clothes as well as clothing for my sister and me. She was a single parent in the 1960's and saved money by sewing, doing DIY projects, and shopping at the Salvation Army. She also sang in a band on weekends to make extra money and made her own gowns. My Barbie® always got a matching gown shortly after Mom made her own.
During high school in the 1970's, I made a lot of my own clothes and took my love of sewing to Seneca College in Toronto where I majored in Fashion Design. The techniques I learned then help me even now with my quilting.
I made one of my first quilts while in college to celebrate my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. After all, I knew how to sew so how hard could it be? Well, for those of you who sew garments, you know that seam allowances are 5/8”. Guess what I used in that quilt? Yep, the 1/4” seam allowances that quilters use was nowhere to be found in that quilt...and it was before rotary cutters came onto the market so it was made with cardboard templates and scissors. But it did get me interested in this wonderful hobby. If you only understood half of that, but want to know more, you’re in the right place.
It wasn't until I became a stay-at-home mom in 1991 that I really got into quilting. I still needed a creative outlet and I still loved and craved the use of fabric. I honed my quilting skills over the next few years and started teaching in 1996 at a local community centre. I taught there for about 6 years. The rest is history.
In 2005 I started teaching classes at The Ultimate Sewing Centre in Oshawa, Ontario and worked there full-time for 13 years until “semi-retirement” in 2018. I still teach some classes there and I'm still able to get my fabric fondling fix when I need it.
At the urging of family, friends, students, and my biggest cheerleader, my daughter, Kate, I'm very glad to invite you to my little corner of the quilt world where I can share my ideas, techniques and experience to make your quilting journey sew much fun.
Sharon
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