Rosemary (Brown) Makhan grew up in Nova Scotia where she learned quilt making from her mother. Her mother, Ruth, was a school teacher and they often pieced some quilt blocks in the winter evenings beside the wood stove after their lessons were done. They would sew the tops together and quilt them during the summer holidays.
Rosemary's first quilt top was a basic nine patch design made from leftover clothing scraps. This is one of Rosemary's favourite quilts as looking at the fabrics in the quilt brings back memories of her Mom and her Aunts. It's fun to look at the scraps and remember the dresses and aprons that they wore.Her love of sewing and fabric led her to Acadia University where she obtained her B.Sc. in Home Economics. She also graduated from the Home Economics programs at Nova Scotia Teachers College and the Ontario College of Education. She taught high school Family Studies for several years before retiring to have a family.
Rosemary's interest in quilt making was rekindled when she made a quilt for her baby daughter, Candice. Friends wanted her to show them how to quilt also--so she started some classes in her home. She then started teaching adult education classes at night school and together with her students founded the Halton Quilters' Guild in 1977. Candice now takes credit for Rosemary's quiltmaking career--saying if it hadn't been for her this would never have happened!
She has won many awards for her quilts and in 1993 was chosen Quilting Teacher of the Year by the Canadian Quilting Association. She has lectured and given workshops throughout North America.
That Patchwork Place has published several of her books and quilt patterns. She especially loves sampler quilts that are based on a theme, such as her Biblical Blocks and Rose Sampler Supreme. Rosemary also publishes many patterns under her own label Quilts by Rosemary.
Rosemary now lives in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, with her husband, Chris. He is retired but still teaches part time in adult education. However, his main love is gardening. They also like to travel. Here is a picture of Chris in New York City.
Their son, Kenneth, developed schizophrenia at the age of 23, and passed away suddenly in his sleep due to an interaction of medications two years later. Rosemary designed the Woodland Creatures quilt especially for him because of his love for nature. If you wish, you can read more about Ken in the Woodland Quilt Story.