We recently connected with Nicole Parra and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I am entrusted by a wide variety of clients locally, and throughout the US, to create heirloom quilts out of their cherished T-shirts and/or clothing from loved ones whom have passed. It’s an honor for me to channel my creative abilities and talents to create a tangible item that can not only help people remember some of their favorite moments in life, but also provide comfort to those missing their loved ones. I love that these quilts can be enjoyed currently by the client but also throughout generations. These quilts truly are a story that lives on.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Nicole and I am a creative, self-healer specializing in Longarm quilting and T-shirt/memory quilts. I have learned to take my every day experiences and allow them to be the fuel for my creativity.
I initially took up sewing as a way to spend time with my grandma, Josephine Parra. In middle school, she taught me how to make my very first outfit. While I was not a fan of making clothes, I did enjoy the act of sewing, and I asked her to help me create my first quilt out of Texas A&M fabric. From there, I was hooked!
Throughout college, I created quilts for my bridesmaids, and starting dipping my toes into the world of T-shirt quilts. It wasn’t until I decided to leave my short teaching career, so I could be a stay-at-home-mom, that I really wanted to turn my craft into a career. While slow moving at first, I continued to put my product out on social media and create as often as I could whether it be a paid client or I have always loved making quilts as gifts for family and friends. Through word of mouth, social media posts, and creating a business page on Facebook, my clientele began to steadily grow. I was making T-shirt quilts, memory quilts, regular quilts, and a variety of other small items for clients all over, specifically in Ohio, Illinois, and Texas, which were all states that I have lived in.
Over time, I decided to take the leap and purchase my very first Longarm machine; an industrial quilting machine that allows me to use a computerized design to complete quilt tops. While I first purchased this machine as a way to put the finishing touches on my T-shirt quilts, I quickly began to build clientele that wanted me to finish their quilt tops! This was an exciting moment for me in my career, as I love being able to see the creativity of other quilters and know that they trusted my workmanship to help finish their quilt tops. I take great pride in this! Longarm quilting took off so much when I made the move back to Texas in 2021 that in 2023 I purchased my second Longarm. As a thirty-six year-old, having two Longarm machines is a massive achievement that I am beyond grateful to have accomplished!
In addition to making heirloom quilts, and being League City and surrounding areas go-to Longarm quilter, I LOVE to teach classes at local quilt shops; The Sparkly Elephant Sewing Lounge in Friendswood, Clothyard Fabrics in Friendswood, and The Painted Pony ‘n Quilts in La Porte, Texas. Teaching at these shops has allowed me to make life-long friendships with like-minded people, help meet new Longarm quilting clients, inspire and teach others to step outside of their comfort zone with patterns and colors, and help instill the love of sewing in anyone willing to learn. The quilt shops I teach at have allowed me to gain great exposure in this area, are a wonderful support system, and I feel that I learn just as much from them, as my students learn from me when I teach at their shops. The gratitude I feel when I get to combine my two passions, teaching and creating, is immeasurable.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
The best way society can support artists/creatives, other than purchasing our products, is SHARING our products! I know that the items I make can be classified as a luxury, not a necessity, and that quilts are not in everyone’s budget. However, every like, share, comment, referral, and review, helps spread my product through word-of-mouth, and that can be a wonderful way to support an artist without having to monetarily invest in a product. You never know who can be reached by sharing with others!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Being able to stay at home with my three kiddos has been the largest driving goal in my creative journey. Having this business has allowed me to have the flexibility to be a stay-at-home-mom, and now that all three are in school, I am able to attend school events, be with them when they are sick, and attend extracurricular activities. I love being their number one cheerleader, but even more so, I love that they have cheered me on and watched me be a strong, independent woman that has built a business from the ground up on my own. I am able to teach them think outside of the box and that you can work hard and LOVE what you do. I wake up every morning excited to “work” and I know that having that gratitude and love allows me to create the best products for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: nicoleparra.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/nicoleparra.np
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicoleparra.np
Image Credits
Hillary Nyert Photography