YOU REAP WHAT YOU SEW An interview with quilter Linda Nordblad by Sandi Solomonson
L
ike a good novel that surprises you
with the turn of each page, such was my interview with Linda Nordblad.
This sharp, seasoned Realtor has a passion for
an art that combines her European family roots with international travel, and love of flowers.
Born and raised in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Linda grew up watching and learning the craft of sewing from her grandmother
and mother; both who were talented with
needlepoint and prolific seamstresses. They instilled in her a love for helping people
and taking time to notice the beauty that surrounds us every day. In her early 20’s, Linda’s love of travel afforded her the
opportunity to work as an airline hostess, where she met her husband of 37 years.
6 | FLOURISH SPECIAL EDITION
And even though life would bring her to the United States, her childhood memories of
a simple backyard Tulip garden would later blossom into a unique style of quilting.
Strolling into an Oregon coast quilt shop in
2011 would forever change Linda’s life. Upon seeing a pattern with Tulips, she was hooked.
Or, should I say, stitched. She researched 17th century Tulips and was smitten by the white
petal streaks often found in art depicting this national flower. The challenge was planted. Through a process of taking and enlarging photos, she painstakingly created her own
custom patterns, allowing her to create art
with fabric that looks so real, so authentic,
you want to lean in and savor it’s floral aroma. Using a technique known as free-motion
