Fun Photo-Quilts and Crafts

Turn your photographs into treasured heirlooms with Ami's newest book. Learn transferring tips and quilting shortcuts from the expert. Over 25 projects---quilts, tote bags, neckties, ornaments, vests, and much more! You'll love Ami's easy-to-follow instructions and her humorous writing style.

Ami Simms is the author of seven books on quilting: How To Improve Your Quilting Stitch, Invisible Applique, Every Trick In The Book, Classic Quilts: Patchwork Designs From Ancient Rome, Creating Scrapbook Quilts, How Not To Make A Prize-Winning Quilt, and Fun Photo-Quilts & Crafts. She has also authored over 50 articles for national quilting publications. She is the creator of the WORST Quilt In The World Contest.

Ami was first introduced to quiltmaking in 1975, while conducting research among the Old Order Amish of northern Indiana for her undergraduate thesis in anthropology. She made her first quilting stitches under the guidance of the Amish woman with whom she stayed.

Since that time Ami has made almost 100 quilts, of varying sizes, in both traditional and contemporary designs. Her work has been featured in several national magazines and other publications, and has been exhibited in juried competitions in California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Ami has been leading workshops and giving lectures on quilting since 1982. Prior to that time, and until 1983, she taught public school (second graders, then senior citizens). More recently she has been teaching and lecturing for quilting guilds throughout the United States. She has also taught quilting in Australia, Canada, England, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Ami has led quilting tours to Italy, The Netherlands, and Hong Kong.

Recently Ami has brought her talents to national television. She has been a featured guest four times on the Home & Family Show (The Family Channel) presenting segments on photo-transfer quilts, string piecing, the WORST Quilt In The World Contest and Photo Quilt Blocks. She has also appeared on Simply Quilts (show #215) with Alex Anderson on HGTV.

Ami also hosts a monthly chat for quilters on America On-line on the 4th Thursday of each month and writes The AfterChat Newsletter which is e-mailed to over 4,000 quilters each month.

Ami Simms lives in Flint, Michigan with her husband, Steve, and their daughter, Jennie.