Rio Shepard: A Young Quilter with Big Projects

By the time Rio Shepard was about 4 years old, she had already found her way into a creative world that many people don’t discover until much later in life. While her mom quilted, Rio would sit on her lap, watching closely and asking questions. Curious about the colors, the patterns and how everything came together, she wanted to learn to quilt herself.

Today Rio is 13, a student at Edison Preparatory Middle school and an accomplished quilter. She learned to sew from her mom, Briana Hefley-Shepard, and from Mary Perisho at her studio, Community Craft, where Rio began taking classes at age 6.

Rio is also a basketball player, swimmer and animal lover. In school, she enjoys geography—though math, especially fractions, isn’t exactly her favorite. Still, quilting has a way of sneaking math into her life anyway, even if she’d rather avoid it.

We visited Rio in the family work room, filled with projects, shelves of fabric, sewing machines and threads—a quilter’s paradise. She showed us her favorite quilts and talked to us about how she learned to quilt and what she enjoys about the process.

TK: What was the first quilt you made on your own?

Rio: My first actual quilt that I did all by myself was when I was about 8. I picked the colors from what my teacher had, and then we stitched it together.

TK: Do you quilt by hand or with a machine?

Rio: I prefer quilting by machine because hand stitching takes longer. I also like adding little hand stitches sometimes.

TK: Do you still take classes?

Rio: Yes. My best friend and I take a class after school on Thursdays every week. We work on our own projects. Last year, my big project was a quilt. This year, I’ve been working on smaller things for around the house and gifts. I’m also working on a T-shirt quilt made from my elementary school T-shirts.

TK: What kinds of things do you learn in quilting classes?

Rio: When I was really little, I learned the basics. I’m still learning new techniques, like sewing different shaped blocks together. My friend learned how to make a stuffed animal without cutting out the fabric, so we’re learning different ways to do things.

TK: What would you tell kids who think quilting looks difficult?

Rio: There aren’t just big quilts. There are smaller projects, like coasters. I’ve made coasters that are just two pieces of fabric folded together with stitches. You just have to build your way up.

TK: What do you like about quilting?

Rio: I like the design part. You can follow a pattern, or you can make your own. The result of my projects makes me feel like I have just created a beautiful and unique masterpiece. I also love the idea of making my own creations without paying—unless I need supplies.

TK: Do you listen to music or watch TV when quilting?

Rio: I listen to podcasts when I’m working with my mom or we are in the same room. We really like Smologies. When I’m working on needlepoint or latch hook then I will watch TV in my living room.

TK: Do you have a favorite quilt you’ve made?

Rio: My most favorite quilt so far is my recent one. We don’t really have a name for it. We just call it the horse quilt. I had a really big phase where I loved horses. Mary found these horse blocks, and we designed the layout ourselves. We ordered the fabric we needed and found some blue fabric out of her stash and then made a quilt. It took about a year. On the back, I embroidered my favorite horse quote. I took it with me to horse camp.

TK: Have you ever shared your quilting at school?

Rio: In third grade, I made little triangle squishies and gave them to people. I would take orders, make them in sewing class, and bring them back the next week. Me and my mom would also demonstrate how to make these tissue holders and let the class make them themselves. She also did other little projects at my school while I helped her along the way.

TK: What projects are you working on now?

Rio: I want to finish my T-shirt quilt so I can show it to my old elementary school friends. I also made a wall hanging with pockets for garden tools, and I might make another one for my room.

TK: Can you tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?

Rio: I love sports and being very athletic. I am starting to learn sign language. I love plants and caring for them, especially succulents. I volunteer a lot and love working with children. And I went viral online when I was about 4-5 for waving at the train conductors that passed by my grandparents’ business.