Monique Dillard of Rockford IL (USA), was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). Her love of quilting was nurtured by relatives in Canada who taught her the art of handwork and sewing. She parlayed her degree in mathematics into a genuine understanding of the need for an accurate 1/4” seam, squared blocks and precise cutting. She was a regular teacher at her local quilt shop for 15 years until her budding quilt design business - Open Gate – steered her career toward a national audience. These days, you can find Monique teaching across the United States at quilt guilds and weekend retreats. Monique’s classes always fill up fast with fans from previous classes and students eager to learn from this talented designer. 

Monique has 76 (and counting) Open Gate patterns and 3 rulers (Fit to be Square^©, Fit to be Geese^©, and Mini Fit to be Geese^©). She has also partnered with Sue Glorch of Bundles and Bolts Quilt Co. to co-author 3 block-of-the-month (BOM) books. She finds inspiration for her traditional designs everywhere and is inspired by fabrics, textiles and tapestries. Several trips to Europe have resulted in not only new beautiful quilt pattern designs, but also her fabric line, Olde World Style with Maywood Studio.  Olde World Style debuted in May, 2010 at the International Quilt Market in Minneapolis, MN.   

In 2011, Monique will have her first Fat Quarter book published by C&T Publishing.  Her book features 11 fat quarter quilts and includes alternate sizes. 

Fat Quarter Winners - C&T Publishing