Susan Beal is a craft writer and teacher who loves sewing, quilting, craft history, Pendleton wool, estate sales, coffee, and vintage fabric and quilts. She’s the author of six books, including Modern Log Cabin Quilting, Bead Sparkle, Sewing for all Seasons, Bead Simple, Button It Up, and World of Geekcraft. She’s also past president of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. Susan has studied improvisational patchwork with Denyse Schmidt, and has also taught at Pacific Northwest College of Art, Maker Faire, Brooklyn Craft Company, and her daughter’s kindergarten class. Her blog is westcoastcrafty.com. Susan grew up in North Carolina and moved to Portland, Oregon after college to go to jewelry-making school there. She lives in Portland with her husband, Andrew; their daughter, Pearl; and son, Everett; and lots of fabric, books, and quilts.