My Story

My journey into quilt pattern design started around 2022 with simple, traditionally pieced patterns. I loved quilting, but I was always searching for something that would challenge me and keep me interested from beginning to end. In March of 2024, I discovered foundation paper piecing when I contacted a wonderful designer to create a FPP portrait of my dog. I was instantly hooked. I loved watching an image come to life one tiny piece at a time, and within my first three months, I had made 28 FPP quilts.

Before long, I ran into a problem: I couldn’t always find the patterns I wanted to make. I wanted more detail, more variety, and designs that really challenged me. So I downloaded Quilt Assistant and decided to try designing my own. My first pattern was a complete mess, but with some guidance from a friend and a whole lot of patience, I kept practicing. I spent months learning how to section images, place lines, simplify details, and use color to turn photographs and ideas into patterns that could actually be pieced.

Eventually, I worked up the courage to release my first pattern, the Mandala Sea Turtle. The response gave me the confidence to keep going, and soon I began offering custom designs. In just eight months, I sold more than 200 custom patterns, creating everything from beloved pets and portraits to landscapes and business logos. Somewhere along the way, I realized I hadn’t just found another hobby. I had found something I truly loved doing.

Today, Rena’s Custom Creations is about embracing the challenge and creating quilts that make you stop and say, “Wait… that’s made from fabric?” I believe even the most complicated pattern becomes possible when you take it one piece at a time. Whether you’re here for a new pattern, to learn FPP, or to discover how to design patterns of your own, I hope you’ll challenge yourself, create something you’re proud of, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

My Approach

My approach to foundation paper piecing is all about finding the balance between detail and sewability. I love creating patterns that capture the little details that make an image recognizable, whether it’s the expression on a pet’s face, the shadows in a landscape, or the movement in a portrait. But detail should have a purpose. I carefully choose where to place lines, how to divide sections, and which colors are truly necessary so that every piece contributes to the finished design.

I also believe that complicated doesn’t have to mean impossible. My patterns are designed to challenge you, but I want that challenge to feel rewarding rather than frustrating. I break complex images into manageable sections and provide clear instructions and detailed guides to help you along the way. You don’t have to look at a 1,000-piece pattern and figure out the whole thing at once. You just have to sew the next piece. One piece, one section, and one challenge at a time.