14th Annual

at Milwaukie Center
Eileen Trestain
Biography

Eileen Trestain


Eileen Jahnke Trestain


Eileen Jahnke Trestain was raised in a small town near Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a child, she already showed interest in art and creative design.

At the age of 10, her grandmother introduced her to quilting and the beauty of flowers. Both are loves that have blossomed over the years. Always creative, Eileen has used many avenues of artistic expression.

Eileen was interested in the history of quilting, and the ties it made between her family generations. In 1984, she moved to Dallas, Texas, when she married. There, Eileen worked as a floral designer where her specialty was silk floral design. She joined the Quilters Guild of Plano in 1987.

She was invited to assist in research for a local living history museum. Eileen coordinated recording and photographing of over 450 quilts from Collin County Texas during 1987-1989. The project culminated with an exhibit at the Heritage Farmstead Museum in the Autumn of 1989.

With the encouragement of friends in 1990, Eileen began production of her own line of patterns under the business name of Peonies Needlework Crafts. The pattern line features three-dimensional and traditional appliqué elements. She began teaching in local shops, and soon was traveling to teach.

Eileen took the appraiser's course offered by the American Quilter's Society in 1991, and, in 1992, passed the certification exams. She is a Certified Appraiser of Quilted Textiles. She travels and performs this service for quilt shows and guilds, as well as for private collectors.

After moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1994, Eileen expanded her activities. She was the founding President of the Phoenix Area Quilters Association. She also served as the Educational Director for the Arizona Quilter's Guild for several years.

Eileen is the author of "Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide 1800 - 1960" and "Dating Fabrics 2: A Color Guide 1950 - 2000" published by the American Quilter's Society. Her work has been Published in "Patchwork and Quilting" in the United Kingdom, as well as in other American magazines. She has twice been an invited guest speaker on HGTV's "Simply Quilts". "Quilts and Other Comforts" has featured several of Eileen's patterns in their mail order catalog. She has also written a chapter for Rodale's Successful Quilting Library "Favorite Techniques of the Experts". She was profiled in the Fall 2001 issue of the Journal of the NQA – The Quilting Quarterly.

Eileen travels and teaches about her appliqué techniques, as well as on the subject of antique quilts and fabrics. In 1999 she curated two reproduction fabric lines for FCI Classic Cottons – "American Centennial" and "A New Era." Combining her interests of quilting and history, she now markets Block-of-the-Month Reproduction Series kits representing quilts and life in the early and mid-1800's.

Moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2000, she now appraises, teaches, judges and vendors at shows, by mail order and internet under the business name Dream House Quilts.

Drawing upon her knowledge of fabrics and history, Eileen was Collections Manager at Clark County Historical Museum in Vancouver, Washington for two years, and she presently serves Fort Vancouver National Historic Site as the Period Clothing and Textiles Coordinator.

Eileen Jahnke Trestain is a member of the following organizations:
  • American Quilter's Society
  • American Quilt Study Group
  • American International Quilt Association
  • Professional Association of Appraisers – Quilted Textiles
  • Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters
  • Phoenix Area Quilters Association


For additional information or to request class listing or catalogs, please write to:

Eileen Jahnke Trestain
Dream House Quilts
Suite D-105, PMB 242
1901 NE 162nd Avenue
Vancouver, Washington 98684

360-281-7120

Email: Eileen Trestain

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