Elsie M. Campbell

Elsie Campbell

 

Elsie M. Campbell is an award-winning quiltmaker who travels and teaches across the nation, sharing her unique twist on hand-quilting techniques and quilt design. She grew up in Deer Creek, Oklahoma, as a member of a small General Conference Mennonite community.

Quilts were a part of her everyday life. "I grew up with quilts on every bed. My mother, grandmothers, and aunts all made quilts. they were made to be used and most of them were loved to death. I just thought everyone knew how to quilt," says Elsie.

Elsie graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics with an emphasis in clothing and textiles. She taught in public schools until the birth of her first son. A variety of career experiences follows, including that of insurance agent, piano teacher, and custom framer. She then returned to school to earn her master's degree in Special Education. It was during her 13-year career as a special education teacher that Elsie rekindled her love of quilting. Since that time, she has produced many award-winning hand-quilted quilts in addition to constructing many more as gifts for family and friends.

In 1999, elsie joined the staff of Chitra Publications as a co-editor for Quilting Today, Traditional Quiltworks and Miniature Quilts magazines. In addition to writing and editing magazine articles, she worked as a freelance writer for Rodale's Successful Quilting Library book series.

For the past three years, Elsie has concentrated her efforts on teaching quiltmaking techniques and writing books and articles from her home in Dodge City, Kansas. Elsie lives with her husband of 32 years, Kenneth Campbell, and their black-and-white tuxedo cat, Jenny. The couple have two sons, Kelly and Kerry, and one daughter-in-law, Hilary.

Elsie is an active member of many different quilt-related organizations. Awards to her credit include First Place finishes in such prestigious shows as the World Quilt and Textile Show, Quilter's Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, Pannsylvania; the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas; Sew Near to My Heart Quilt Show in Cincinnati, Ohio; Best of Show at Quilt America! in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Mary Krickbaum Award for Best Hand Quilting from the National Quilt Association; and the American Quilter's Society's Award for Excellence in Hand Workmanship.

Visit Elsie's web site at www.elsiemcampbell.com

By this author:
Winning Stitches