“Kiwi” is the nickname used internationally for people from New Zealand”— WIKIPEDIA

I am Cathy Geraths, originally from New Zealand. I have a life long love affair with anything fabric and sewing related.

I discovered sewing at about age eight.  At age 11, waiting for my classmates to finish our home economics assignment of making an apron, I was perfecting my jacket-making skills, complete with lining,  zippers and pockets.

By age 14, I was designing and making my own dancewear. My dance friends and teacher asked to start buying my work. Before I knew it I had my first entrepreneurial adventure of making costumes and dancewear while juggling high school and a busy dance schedule.

It wasn’t until years later that I learned that I came from a family of talented tailors and dressmakers - my paternal great grandfather was a tailor for many years in London’s High Street and my maternal grandmother was a talented dressmaker to all.  These skills were passed down to my own Mum, along with my paternal grandmother, who both spent many patient hours teaching me about everything from tatting, embroidery, tapestry, weaving, crochet, knitting and sewing.

Over the years I’ve explored many different forms of sewing - creating everything from rugby jerseys, tracksuits, costumes, prom, wedding attire, mens shirts, women’s suits and dresses, baby, toddler and kids clothing, maternity wear, and home decor.

Fast forward to 2021 - Quilting became a creative and inspiring alternative (and kept me sane) whilst continuing to manufacture hundreds of ‘designer’ masks seven days a week.

I then took the financial plunge and invested in my Innova Long Arm machine. Wow! What a game changer! It just makes me smile to hear it each day, stitching love and care into every quilt that comes my way.

I continue to be inspired by vibrant colors, soft tones, metallic highlights or dimensional patterns, depending on what I am feeling on creation day.  I have been designing and sewing KiwiDesignz blankets for the past couple of years (www.kiwidesignz.com) my personal version of a quilt. All quilt like tops/blankets are quilted to super soft and warm luxe fleece. Who doesn’t like to snuggle up with a soft blanket that makes them feel safe and loved, or curl up with a great book, a favorite movie, or companion?

In summary - discovering Quilting (“compiling and joining multiple fabrics and textures into a design that is pleasing to the eye and heart”) has overtaken my sewing studio and life!