Teacher Bio: Andrea Deal

Andrea was inspired by her family of rural farmers who had to make do with what they had, the original DIY-ers. Andrea started her crafty career early, starting with latch-hooking pillow projects at 5 or 6. Next was cross-stitch, and eventually sewing. At 14 she decided to learn how to knit one summer out of boredom, and was quickly making hats and mittens for all her friends. Her high school years were spent sewing bags and backpacks, rarely using a pattern but just making it up as she went along.

After receiving a Textile Design degree with a concentration in weaving from Philadelphia University, she found herself bouncing between full-time and freelance jobs in corporate interiors and home fashion for several years, working on products as diverse as table linens and woven fiber-optic lighting. It wasn't until the Fall of 2008 that she decided to take a quilting class at the City Quilter to learn to quilt "for real." After that, she was hooked. By Spring of the next year Andrea was working full time at the City Quilter and was teaching classes herself by the Fall of 2009.

In addition to being a CQ staffer, Andrea teaches classes such as basic sewing, decorative pillows, and her favorite - kids sewing classes. She also designs fabric for the City Quilter's line of exclusive NYC fabrics, including Times Square, which was released in the Fall of 2010. In addition, Andrea runs a quilting club at a geriatric center in Washington Heights, teaches private lessons, does freelance design and makes handmade quilts and toys which will eventually be for sale.

Zen Quilt - Detail	Lovebirds	Orange Purse	Teaching a Kids' Tote Class at The City Quilter

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