Persimmon and cobalt. Aqua and emerald. Baby pink and acid yellow. Chicago artist Emily Van Hoff's quilting scraps beg a writer to reach for crayon-box vocabulary. Trained as a graphic designer, Van Hoff began quilting after the sudden death of her husband, followed by the loss of her job, in 2020. Locked down and grieving, she chased joy, needle in hand. And this is where she landed a massive Instagram following, booming business, unexpected palettes, new techniques and creative partnerships like a jewelry collab and an upcoming fabric line. Interview with Alicia Underlee Nelson.
AUN How do you describe your work for people who have never seen it?
EVH I make quilts-but not the kind of quilts you're thinking of. They're very sculptural, tactile, more like objects, rather than a flat thing. The most succinct way to say it is that I make shaped, modern art quilts.
AUN This is a relatively new endeavor for you-what skills set you up for success?
This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
summer sequel
A MINNESOTA COUPLE'S NEW LAKE HOME PRESERVES THE SOUL AND CONTINUES THE TRADITIONS OF THEIR FAMILY'S CABIN THAT STOOD ON THE SAME SITE FOR DECADES.
STAYING AFLOAT
CENTURIES AGO, FRENCH CANADIAN FUR TRAPPERS DRAGGED HEAVY CANOES OVER THE LAND AND LAKES OF PRESENT-DAY VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK. ON A FIRST-TIME HOUSEBOAT JOURNEY, THE MOST WE LUGGED WAS A COOLER BUT WE SNARED A WEALTH OF SOLITUDE, SUNSETS AND LAUGHS.
A FIRST-TIME HOUSEBOATER
Consult a map when choosing a rental company.
AGRI(CULTURED)
FOR OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL ROAD RALLY, WE DELVED INTO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, FARM-FRESH FOOD, AND A THRIVING ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE IN IOWA.
NEIGHBORHOOD - STRAWBERRY HILL FOREVER
WITH ARTIST LAEDAN GALICIA, AKA DINKC, AS YOUR GUIDE, EXPLORE THE COFFEE SHOPS, DIVE BARS AND DIVERSE EATS OF THIS HISTORIC POCKET OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
JOURNEY - RAPID STRIDES
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, HAS HAD A HOPPING BEER SCENE FOR YEARS. BUT TODAY, THE CITY'S CULINARY LANDSCAPE IS MORE THAN JUST ITS GREAT BREWS MORE DIVERSE, MORE FRESH, MORE DELICIOUS.
SWEET LIFE HERE COMES THE SUNDAE
MOVING TO A NEW CITY BRINGS UPS AND DOWNS EVEN WHEN IT'S REALLY YOUR OLD CITY. THANK GOODNESS FOR ICE CREAM.
LIVE WELL - VEG OUT
EATING A GREATER VARIETY OF PLANTS HELPS YOUR HEALTH AND THE PLANET'S. HERE ARE SIX TASTY WAYS TO GET IT DONE.
STUDIO SESSION - IN VIVID COLOR
CHICAGOAN EMILY VAN HOFF PIECES TOGETHER FABULOUSLY SATURATED, INTENTIONALLY HAPPY WORKS OF QUILTED ART.
SPACES - HOUSE OF BLUES
RHYTHMIC PATTERNS AND A NAUTICAL PALETTE HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES AT A WATERSIDE HOME IN WISCONSIN.
