I Am Genq: Alex Anderson

A quilter’s dream, storied and full of plot twists, describes Alex Anderson’s life in quilting.

- Teri Lucas

It’s the Quilt Life we’d all like to have (pun intended). Alex started quilting in the late ‘70s at her home in Livermore, California, and landed the coolest teaching gig ever with HGTV’s Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson show running from 1993 to 2005. Throughout this time many quilts were made and books written, bi-annual retreats hosted, and she started an on-line quilt community.

Her book, Start Quilting with Alex Anderson (C&T) is in its 3rd edition, having sold more than 250,000 copies. Sixteen years ago, she and Ricky Tims launched The Quilt Show, the first on-line quilt show and community. She and Ricky also collaborated on an award-winning magazine, The Quilt Life, which was published for four years. Oh, and let’s not forget she’s a BERNINA spokesperson.

Alex has, as many quilt professionals, set the bar high with her charm, grace and sense of humor. And she’s a hoot! (One April Fool’s Day Alex and Jerry, her sonin-law, introduced the “Jerry Stitch Eraser.” 

Over the years, Alex has learned to podcast, machine quilt, and try many new techniques, continuing to teach and be open to quilty adventures. She has a grateful heart for this diverse journey—and a joke, of course.

“I couldn’t have written this story. I work with wonderful people… I can’t even believe it. I am just the person in the neighborhood who is a little weird about quilting,” she says.

When did the possibilities of quilting first catch your eye?