July 31, 2026
Hello, and welcome!
I'm so glad you're here. That photo of the messy sewing studio will make sense after you've read a bit further!
My name is Carol, and I'm the heart behind Janj Threads. If you've spent any time browsing my website, you've probably noticed that every quilt comes with plenty of photographs, detailed descriptions, and as much history as I can uncover. Researching quilts has become just as enjoyable to me as collecting them, and I wanted a place where I could share even more of those stories. That's how this blog came to be.
Janj Threads is my constantly evolving labor of love. Like quilting itself, it's always growing, changing, and improving one stitch at a time. Whether it's an antique masterpiece, a well-loved vintage quilt, a modern creation, or a cutter quilt waiting for a second life, I simply love quilts. Old, new, repurposed, or original—if it's quilt related, you've found my happy place.
I'm also an avid collector of antique quilts, especially those dating to the 19th century and older. There's something truly special about holding a quilt that has survived for more than a century and imagining the hands that stitched it together. I'm always on the lookout for those rare early treasures, and the detective work involved in researching their fabrics, construction, and history is one of my greatest joys. Every antique quilt has a story to tell, and I never tire of trying to uncover it.
My love of creating began more than 35 years ago with an inexpensive Brother sewing machine on a messy dining room table! I've always enjoyed making things with my hands. During the 1990s, I happily explored just about every creative outlet I could find. I sewed primitive crafts, filled drawers with rubber stamps for paper crafting, and even spent evenings in my basement with a scroll saw, cutting little wooden figures to paint. I loved every one of those hobbies, but as trends changed and life moved on, many of them slowly faded into the background.
Quilting, however, never let go of my heart.
When I was expecting my youngest daughter, Hannah, in 1994, I decided to make her a baby quilt. Like many young mothers, life had other plans. Between raising a family, working full-time, and everything else that comes with life, that little quilt was carefully tucked away unfinished.
Twenty-two years later, Hannah was expecting her own daughter—my third grandchild. I pulled that unfinished quilt back out, stitched the final pieces together, and gave it to her at her baby shower. I jokingly called it my "20-Year Quilt Experiment." Today, that little baby, Amara, is ten years old, and that quilt still has a place on her bed. Of all the quilts I've made over the years, that one may always be my favorite because it reminds me that some things are simply worth waiting for.
As my children (2 beautiful daughters) grew up and began raising families of their own, I found more time to devote to quilting. At the same time I was building a career that I truly loved. For 36 years, I worked for the same healthcare organization in many roles, the last 15 were spent as a Voice Network Engineer. In April 2026, I retired from my 9-to-5 career—a bittersweet milestone. It was difficult to say goodbye after so many years and to leave behind colleagues who had become lifelong friends. I genuinely loved the work I did, the challenges it brought, and the amazing people I worked alongside.
Retirement opened the door to a wonderful new chapter. It has given me the opportunity to devote more time to the passions that have always brought me joy. My little Brother sewing machine eventually gave way to a dependable Juki, and before long I added a longarm quilting machine to my collection. Today, I have a she shed that has become my creative sanctuary. It's filled with sewing machines, my longarm, a serger, shelves of quilting books, and enough fabric to open a small quilt shop. I keep telling myself I'll use every last piece someday—and if you're a quilter, you already know that's the story we all tell ourselves!
Of course, I couldn't do all of this alone. My partner, LaDell—affectionately known around here as the Quilt Whisperer—plays a huge role in Janj Threads. His work takes him all over the country, and wherever he travels, he's always on the lookout for quilts. Antique shops, estate sales, flea markets, auctions, and those little out-of-the-way stores most people would drive right past somehow seem to call his name. Many of the quilts you'll find at Janj Threads began their journey home because LaDell decided to make "just one more stop." Together, we've rescued and shared hundreds of beautiful quilts, each with its own history, personality, and story waiting to be discovered.
One of the questions I get asked most often is, “Where did the name Janj Threads come from?” Believe it or not, it wasn’t the result of some fancy branding meeting—it was inspired by my four amazing grandchildren. Janj is a combination of their names: Jourdan, Amara, Nolan, and Julian. Now, if you’re especially observant (or one of my family members), you may notice that Nolan is actually older than Amara. You’re absolutely right! But I only had one vowel to work with, and “JNAJ Threads” sounded more like a Wi-Fi password than the name of a quilt business. So, with a little creative license—and I hope Nolan doesn’t hold it against Grandma—Janj Threads it became! It makes me smile knowing that the people I treasure most are stitched right into the name of a business that’s built around preserving the stories, love, and craftsmanship found in every vintage quilt.
If there's one thing you'll learn about me, it's that I believe every quilt has a story. Some tell the story of the woman who stitched it together during quiet evenings at home. Others reveal clues through their fabrics, patterns, or quilting stitches. Some are treasured family heirlooms, while others are humble cutter quilts waiting for a second life. I enjoy uncovering those stories and sharing them with others.
That's exactly what you'll find here on the Janj Threads Blog.
We'll explore quilt history, dig into fascinating newspaper-published patterns, learn how to identify handmade quilts, discuss caring for vintage textiles, discover the clues that help date a quilt, and occasionally I'll share a few behind-the-scenes adventures from Janj Threads. Whether you're a collector, a quilter, a history enthusiast, a vintage textile lover, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of a well-loved quilt, I hope you'll feel right at home here.
Thank you for stopping by and spending a little time with me. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and browse our beautiful collection of quilts. Be sure to check the blog regularly and join me as we celebrate the artistry, history, and stories stitched into every quilt.
Warm regards & many thanks!
Carol
Founder, Janj Threads