In the vibrant quilting community of Portland, Oregon, one name has been making waves across social media platforms and revolutionizing how we think about modern quilting: Chris Marchini of Rose City Originals. His story is one of passion, creativity, and the power of social media to transform a traditional craft into something fresh and exciting for a new generation.
From YouTube Viewer to Quilting Innovator
Chris Marchini's quilting journey began in the most relatable way possible—as a YouTube enthusiast. "After watching quilting videos on YouTube for years, he decided to make a quilt for his mother-in-law for Christmas," which then "led to him making additional quilts for more family members as gifts." This humble beginning reflects the organic way many modern quilters discover their passion, moving from observer to creator through the inspiration found in online communities.
What sets Chris apart is what happened next. When he couldn't find patterns that matched his creative vision, he took the leap that would define his career: "After not being able to find a pattern to match with an idea for a quilt, he started drafting his own patterns." This moment of creative necessity became the foundation for what would grow into Rose City Originals, a brand that now represents some of the most innovative and distinctive patterns in modern quilting.
The Social Media Revolution
Chris's rise to prominence showcases the transformative power of social media in the crafting world. According to Portland Monthly, his TikTok journey began in March 2022, and "within a month, he had more than 14,000 followers, his videos on the quilting process sometimes raking in hundreds of thousands of views."
This explosive growth on TikTok (@rosecityoriginals) demonstrates how the platform has become a powerful tool for crafters to share their work and build communities. Chris has successfully leveraged multiple platforms, building substantial followings on TikTok, Instagram (@rosecityoriginals), and YouTube, where he shares everything from "how-to tutorials to fabric pulls for upcoming projects."
Modern Quilting with a Bold Twist
What makes Chris's work particularly compelling is his approach to modern quilting. As Portland Monthly notes, he "specializes in modern quilting, an approach that emphasizes negative space and nontraditional shapes, with his bold designs—a skull with a crown, a giant poison apple—garnering fans."
This aesthetic represents a significant departure from traditional quilting motifs. KPTV reported that "Chris Marchini creates spooky fun quilting patterns for his brand Rose City Originals. With images of skulls, moths and even poison apples, he is finding a fan base on social media!" These unconventional designs challenge preconceptions about quilting and attract quilters who want to express their individual style through their craft.
Portland's Modern Quilting Hub
Chris's success is part of a larger movement that has established Portland as a center for innovative quilting. As he explains, "The Portland Modern Quilt Guild, I believe, is the largest section of the Modern Quilt Guild nationwide. It definitely ties back to the area and the maker mentality that Portland carries."
This connection between place and craft philosophy is significant. Portland's reputation as a city that values creativity, sustainability, and artisanal crafts provides the perfect environment for modern quilters like Chris to thrive and push boundaries.
Breaking Down Barriers
One of Chris's most important contributions to the quilting community is his approach to accessibility and education. In his Portland Monthly interview, he addresses the gatekeeping that can sometimes exist in traditional quilting communities: "Even some lifelong quilters tend to make it sound more difficult than it is. I don't know if that's them trying to gatekeep the hobby, keep it to themselves."
His philosophy emphasizes that quilting should be approachable: "Once you really start doing it and understand some of the very basic fundamentals of it, I find it becomes a lot easier for folks. And then also just not holding yourself to perfection—like, it's OK that some of my points don't match and that these pieces didn't line up perfectly."
Innovation Beyond Quilts
Chris's creativity extends beyond traditional quilt patterns. His collaboration with AccuQuilt resulted in the GO! Quilted Trucker Hat Die, which allows quilters to "set yourself apart from the rest by making stylish and trendy hats to match your every mood and outfit." This innovation demonstrates how modern quilters are expanding the boundaries of their craft, creating functional items that showcase quilting techniques in new ways.
Community Building Through Technology
Chris's approach to community building is particularly innovative. His projects include "a Randomly Generated Quilt and a Year-Long Community Quilt where followers can actively participate in its creation." These interactive projects leverage social media to create genuine community engagement, allowing followers to become collaborators in the creative process.
The Rose City Originals website reflects this community focus, featuring a customer gallery where makers can share their completed projects and connect with others who have used Chris's patterns.
The Philosophy of Functional Art
Chris's perspective on how quilts should be used reflects a refreshing approach to the craft. He emphasizes that he wants his quilts "to be loved and used, whether it's on your bed or your couch." This philosophy stands in contrast to the precious treatment that some quilts receive.
His childhood memory of a beloved quilt illustrates this point perfectly: "I had a quilt growing up... And I loved it to shreds. Literally... Those are my memories of that quilt." He wants people to create similar memories with his designs, preferring that his quilts be used and loved rather than preserved unused.
Educational Impact and Accessibility
Chris's patterns are designed with education in mind. His instructions are "meticulously detailed and include helpful illustrations, making them suitable for all skill levels, including brave and adventurous beginners eager to learn new sewing skills." This commitment to clear instruction helps break down the intimidation factor that can prevent new quilters from attempting more complex projects.
The Future of Modern Quilting
Chris Marchini's story represents the evolution of quilting from a traditional craft to a dynamic, social, and innovative art form. His success demonstrates how social media can be used not just for marketing, but for genuine community building and education.
Through Rose City Originals, Chris has created more than just a pattern company—he's built a movement that encourages quilters to embrace their individual style, experiment with unconventional designs, and share their journey with others. His work proves that traditional crafts can evolve and thrive when approached with creativity, inclusivity, and a willingness to challenge conventions.
As the quilting community continues to grow and diversify, creators like Chris Marchini are leading the way, showing that the future of quilting is bright, bold, and beautifully unconventional. His story reminds us that sometimes the most powerful innovations come from simply asking, "What if we did this differently?" and having the courage to stitch that vision into reality.
