Cindy Brick grew up on a small farm north of Grand Rapids, Michigan, but considers herself a 'near-native' of Colorado, her home for nearly a quarter-century. She cannot remember ever not reading, and from her early years, was a writer, publishing regularly. By high school, she learned to knit (right-handed) and crochet (left-handed), as well as do crewelwork, cross-stitch and other needlework, although she did not sew much. Mom, who sewed professionally, took care of that. (In case you're wondering, Cindy, like a surprising number of quilting teachers, is left-handed.)

    Cindy began quilting in 1984, when she joined a group of University of MIchigan wives who worked on each others' quilts, and finished her first -- a Pine Tree medallion with a Log Cabin center section -- just before moving to Colorado in 1984. Cindy began teaching and writing about quilts soon after, and joined the staff of Quilter's Newsletter in 1992. Although, like the others, she took turns editing and writing various articles, she was also the Book Review editor. During four years there, she was also the managing editor of The Quilts and Other Comforts Fabric Club newsletter, CLOTHTALK, as well as a newsletter for shop owners around the world, QUILTSHOPTALK. She also helped out with Leman Publications titles, especially patterns.

     In 1996, Cindy began her own company, BRICKWORKS, and started traveling across the country, teaching and judging for guilds and various conferences; her classes and lectures featured new tips and techniques, but always had some aspect of quilt history included.

She began appraising textiles in 1997, and was certified by the American Quilter's Society in 1999. She also has experience appraising collections, sewing room contents, and has expanded in paper ephemera, ceramics, glass and jewelry.

When she's home, Cindy generally is busy with several book and article commitments. In between obligations, she lives with her family, including two Weimaraners, a demented cat, and a garden that refuses to stay weeded, in the Front Range community of Castle Rock. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call toll-free 1-888-48-BRICK.

For an interview with Cindy about writing, visit her author page:

http://www.forewordmagazine.com/authors/home/index.asp?w=pages&r=19&pid=96 

Cindy’s qualifications include:

Certified textile appraiser by the American Quilter’s Society (1999). Actively appraising since 1997. Professional quilt restoration and repair since 1994. Continuing education in various aspects of textile history, quilt styles, general appraising methods, etc.

Quilt judge for various shows across the country, including head judge for the Denver Quilt Festival (Mancuso Brothers).

M.A., English language and literature, University of Michigan. Author of five-plus books on various aspects of needlework, including the Fabric Dating Kit; Quilts of the Great Depression; The Stitcher’s Language of Flowers; Hanky Panky Crazy Quilts (ASN) and Crazy Quilts (Voyageur Press).  Author of the Grandma's Quilt Pattern booklet series, and editor of several Ruby McKim collection books

More than 100 articles published in various magazines on a variety of subjects, but mostly focusing on quilting and needlework. Edited books for several authors, both independently and for That Patchwork Place, including Ami Simms and Shelly Burge.

Newspaper columnist and contributor for several newspapers, including the Denver Post and the Daily Camera (Boulder, CO). Editorial and 'expert' contributions for various online websites.

Author of quilt-related entries for Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Columnist for McCall’s Vintage Quilts (Old Things Considered); past contributing and managing editor for Crazy Quilt Society, National Quilting Association’s Quilting Quarterly, the Quilts & Other Comforts wholesale department (QuiltShopTalk), and the Quilts & Other Comforts Fabric Club. Former editor at Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine (1992-96).

Consultant for three television specials on quilting; appeared in person on one, Quilts: Threads of America’s Heritage. (High Noon Productions) Also on Simply Quilts to promote Hanky Panky book, and on The Quilt Show to promote Crazy Quilts book.

Fabric designer for Marcus Brothers (Language of Love fabric line). Pattern designer and editor for many publications and clients, including Cindy's Grandma's Quilt Patterns booklet series.

National lecturer and teacher, focusing on quilting and textile history. Assignments have included the AQS Paducah conference (3 years); International Quilt Market (Quilts Inc.); Crazy Quilt Society annual conference (more than 5 years); Quilt Restoration Society; MPMA annual conference (museums); Quilter’s Gathering; Road To California; as well as other conferences, state and local guilds and quilt shops across the United States.

Curator, textile exhibits including for American Quilter’s Society; Quilt Restoration Society; Crazy Quilt Society; American Quilt Study Group (2005 conference); Road To California (2007 conference). Consultant for other textile exhibits.

Member of PAAQT (Professional Appraisers Association of Quilted Textiles; past board member); American Quilt Study Group; American Quilter’s Society; Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum (past board member, frequent consultant); Colorado Quilt Council.