Hey, friend! I’m Kelly Renay... your new quilty bestie from San Antonio, Texas. I’m all about making things with heart, helping you tap into your creativity, and keeping life as simple and beautiful as that perfect fabric combo.
When I was a kid, reading and sounding out words felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. I could totally understand when people talked to me, but figuring out how letters made sounds? That was a whole different story... and it made reading and speaking pretty tricky. It was like my brain kept hitting the “mute” button at the worst times!
But here’s the silver lining: while words sometimes got tangled, creativity was my secret language. Drawing, designing, and making things with my hands became how I truly spoke. That early struggle shaped how I see the world... through color, pattern, and stories told without a single word. Honestly? Creativity has been my clearest voice all along.
I’m a homebody through and through. My happy place? Curled up in my cozy chair with my sewing machine nearby, a glass of Dr. Pepper in hand, and ’90s alt-rock humming in the background.
I love creating in quiet moments... stitching together memories, ideas, and just a little magic in my tiny South Texas studio. When I’m not sewing, I’m toggling between Illustrator and InDesign, doodling with Sharpies, or dreaming up my next pattern while binge-watching reality TV, no shame in my Bravo game.
I design quilt patterns and surface art that mix bold simplicity with a nostalgic wink. My go-to palettes? Black and white with a twist, or full-on explosions of bright color. I love sneaking one into the other... a pop of hot pink here, a stripe of bold contrast there. Balance matters, sure… but let’s keep it fun and just a little unexpected.
Inspiration shows up everywhere... pop art, retro prints, and the kind of nostalgic treasures that feel like home. Think: your great-grandmother’s curvy red couch, a green-and-white gingham kitchen table, or those loud floral drapes that practically shouted “welcome” every time you walked into the room. That’s the kind of joy I try to bottle up in my designs.
And here’s a fun little plot twist: I started college thinking I’d become an architect. I imagined myself drafting blueprints and designing iconic skylines… but really, I just wanted to swoon over the details. Give me an ionic column, a fancy finial, or a dramatic arch any day. Throw in some Gothic, Victorian, or Art Deco flair and I’m positively giddy. These days, those lines and flourishes still sneak into my creative thinking... even if I’m sketching quilt blocks instead of blueprints.
My first quilt? A love letter to my grandmother, Grandnan, who passed away in 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was absolutely obsessed with fabric, fat quarters, and quilt shows. During my adolescent years, she, my mom, and I would wander vendor aisles, oohing and aahing over quilts and stuffing tote bags with fabric.
She taught me how to slow down, savor the process, and find joy in making something beautiful with your own two hands.
That first quilt I made in her honor rekindled something I didn’t even know I’d lost. Since then, quilting has become more than a craft... it’s how I tell stories, preserve memories, and turn everyday moments into something meaningful.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have a stack of finishes, I hope my patterns help you create with confidence, celebrate your wins: even the tiny ones, and keep showing up for your creativity.
I didn’t start out in quilting. In 2014, I opened my first Etsy shop selling digital paper and surface patterns. That led to personalized stationery, journals, mugs... basically anything I could design with a bold print and a bit of charm. My love of vintage vibes and cheerful graphics caught the attention of Uppercase Magazine, Stationery Trends, and a few lovely design blogs along the way.
But in 2017, after making that first quilt in Grandnan’s honor, something shifted. I still loved designing for paper and gifts... but fabric? It felt like home. I started playing with blocks, mixing prints, and eventually designing my own quilt patterns. Some are bold and graphic, others soft and simple, and then there are the ones that throw a full-blown party with prints and color.
Since then, my patterns have been featured in Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting, McCall’s Quilting, and Quiltmaker... pinch-me moments I still can’t believe are real.
While I’ll always have a soft spot for playful paper goods, quilting has truly become the heart of my creative life... and where I’m most excited to keep growing. What started as a side hobby stitched with memories turned into a full-blown creative calling. Now I spend my days designing patterns that blend heart, humor, and a whole lot of fabric scraps.
I’m so glad you took a little time to get to know me. Whether you’re here for quilt patterns, design inspiration, or a dose of creative cheer... I hope you find something that makes you smile and ignites your creativity.
Happy sewing,
Kelly
With lots of heart
From the heart of San Antonio, I design with bold colors, big heart, and a love for the details. Fueled by Dr Pepper and childhood road trips spent admiring city skylines and quilts, my work is stitched with stories, sweet memories, and a little Lone Star pride.
With over 15 years of experience, I’m a Texas-born designer with a love for clean lines, bold simplicity, and playful details. I specialize in iconic cityscapes and surface patterns that are simply sophisticated, a little witty, and full of heart.
Since 2017, when I stitched my very first quilt in honor of my grandmother, something just clicked. My patterns are designed to spark joy, stretch your skills, and keep things simple...but never boring. I believe in celebrating tiny wins, embracing your creative voice, and enjoying the journey one stitch at a time.
In 2024, I’ve had the joy of joining the Riley Blake Designs Influencer Team. A talented group of makers who bring RBD’s stunning fabric collections to life. I get to create fun, inspiring projects and share them with the RBD quilting community and beyond.
My designs have been featured in Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting, McCall’s Quilting, Quiltmaker, Uppercase Magazine, Stationery Trends, and a handful of lovely blogs. Each feature has been a pinch-me moment... and I’m so grateful to share my work with creative communities near and far.
My heart’s set on designing fabric one day. Until then, I’m pouring that dream into every quilt pattern... one bold block, joyful color combo, and heartfelt detail at a time.
