Biography for Vikki Pignatelli

Vikki entered the world of quilting in 1991 at the urging of her sister and fellow quilter, Augie Ellis. A non-sewer at the time, Vikki attended a beginner's class and quickly fell in love with the art of quilting. Now a full-time professional quilt-artist, designer, international teacher, lecturer and author, Vikki and her quilts have been featured in many books, national publications and exhibitions. She has won 32 awards in national and international competitions and exhibitions including a first place award in Art Large for Portrait of my Soul at the International Quilt Festival at Houston and Best Color and Design for Passages of the Spirit in the 2002 NQA annual show

A self-taught artist with experience in painting (watercolor and oils) and sculpture, Vikki enjoys a passion for color and flowing designs. She developed a simple layering technique that is a blend of piecing and appliqué. She is the author of two books featuring this technique, "Quilting Curves” (Quilt Digest Press, 2001) and “Quilting By Improvisation” (Dragon Threads, 2006). Also, Vikki has written “how-to” articles published in Quilting Arts, Quilter’s Newsletter, and AQS magazines.

Vikki also founded the national biennial Sacred Threads Quilt Exhibitions in 1999. She and chairwoman, Wendy Bynner, developed the vision for the two-week display of original artwork that explores themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace, healing and grief. The show is now held in Herndon, VA, outside Washington, D.C.

Deeply influenced by her husband’s bout with cancer and his recovery in 1993, most of Vikki’s artwork now focuses on the themes of healing, spirituality, hope, and inspiration. In her writings and teaching, Vikki's focus is to inspire, nurture and develop the artistry and self-confidence within each quilter.