Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Billings.
Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Thread by Thread: My Life in Art and Fabric
Sewing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always creating—cutting, stitching, piecing together scraps of fabric into something meaningful. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was how I expressed myself, long before I had the words to explain what I was feeling. There was something magical about turning a flat piece of cloth into something dimensional, useful, or beautiful.
That early love for sewing grew into a passion for design, which eventually led me to the Fashion Department at Pratt Institute, where I earned my BFA. My time at Pratt was formative—it gave me the technical foundation and the creative freedom to explore fashion as both a craft and an art form. After graduating, I began teaching sewing, something I’ve done at every level—from elementary school classrooms to college studios. Sharing what I love with others has always been incredibly fulfilling, especially watching students gain confidence and pride in what they can make with their own hands.
Over time, I found myself drawn more and more to the world of quilting. What started as an appreciation for traditional quilts quickly evolved into a fascination with art quilts. It was there that I found my true creative place. Quilting gave me the freedom to blend storytelling, color, texture, and emotion in a way that felt deeply personal and endlessly inspiring.
I began taking classes around the country, learning from other artists, challenging myself, and constantly evolving. I still take classes—there’s always more to learn, more to discover.
Today, I show my work in galleries and museums, and I accept private commissions. My pieces are often layered with meaning, memory, and visual texture. Each quilt is a meditation, a story told in fabric, thread, and time.
This path—one stitch at a time—has led me to a place where my love for sewing, teaching, and art all come together. It’s been a lifelong journey, and I’m still stitching and loving it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Stitching has mostly been a smooth steady journey for me. The community within and around it is generally kind and generous. During times when life felt overwhelming, creating and stitching gave me a way to focus and cope-it became a quiet refuge amidst the chaos.
My biggest struggle was knowing the value of my art and how to charge for my work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Textile Artist and create artwork for commercial and private spaces and have also created personalized Chuppas (wedding canopies) for brides. I am known for my dedication to perfection and my commitment to my art. I hand dye fabric to make sure I am getting the best choice for each design project.
My proudest moment was watching my son, daughter and nieces get married under the Chuppa I made and when I walk into a person’s home and my art is hanging.
My design style is often changing so I don’t get stuck in one genre and I believe that keeps my art vibrant and often surprising.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The textile art industry is soaring right now and many who have been creating for years are getting great recognition. There was a time when fiber art was not recognized as a fine art but that has changed and I believe there is no stopping it now. People are collecting like never before.
Pricing:
- Size and degree of difficulty
Contact Info:
- Email: nancybdesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: nancybillingsfiber
Image Credits
Fabrizio Cacciatore-Photographer
