About

Bio

North Dakota artist and award winning quilter, Debbie Kauffman, tells her stories through drawing and sculpting with thread. Her textile art often begins with a photograph she has taken, trying to make sense of the world around her, through what she creates. Making use of her wide range of skills, she manipulates fibers and embellishes with thread, yarn, paint, beads or whatever material that will express the story. She strives to use her platform for the greater good, often including details that support social justice themes. Her current work is focused on using sustainable textiles or materials that are already on hand. Much of her life has been spent doing women’s work, so she continues to include elements to honour the women who came before her, especially those that passed their skills on to her. 

While her roots are in art, in 2006, she began helping others finish their quilts in her longarm quilting business. This has taught her much about what a longarm machine is supposed to do, but she revels in pushing those boundaries. She’s known for her creativity and attention to detail. Her work has been exhibited at international quilt shows and been a part of multiple quilting books and exhibits.  Most notably, Mary W Kerr’s, Twisted, Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist. Many of her pieces reside in private collections across the country. Most recently, her textile work has been shown and sold at the Minneapolis Airport Exhibits with the Minnesota Studio Art Quilters Association. Several times a year she makes time to quilt projects for organizations like the Social Justice Sewing Academy, that aims to empower young people. 

In teaching, she has a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to share. She strives to make her classroom a judgement free zone where creativity and learning can flourish.

Debbie’s studio is located in rural North Dakota, where she lives with her husband, on his family farm. When she isn’t creating, her favorite pastime is playing with her grandson and granddaughter. 

2023 – PRESENT : North Dakota Art Gallery Association

2023 – PRESENT : Artist Member Taube Museum of Art

2015 – PRESENT: Artist Member of Studio Art Quilters Association

2018 – PRESENT : Member Fargo-Moorehead Quilters

2024 Summer Issue: Art Quilting Studio, Exploring the Potential in Rubbish by Debbie Kauffman

2016 Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist by Mary W. Kerr (Let Me Count the Ways pp.50-53 is quilted by Debbie Kauffman)

2015 Recycled Hex Quilts: Using Vintage Hexagons in Today’s Quilts by Mary W. Kerr (Asian Elegance p.36, 101 & My Lovely Purple Garden p. 44 is quilted by Debbie Kauffman)

2013 Machine Quilting Unlimited Sept/Oct Issue Article by Mary W. Kerr Machine Quilting Vintage Tops. (Flowers from Minot)

2024 June: Conundrum, Minnesota Quilt Show, Minnesota SAQA group exhibit, Out of Africa Challenge

2023 Oct/Nov: There Will Be Dandelions & The Pollinator #2, Visions & Voices juried exhibit, currated by Rob & Eric Thomas-Suwall at the Taube Museum of Art Minot, North Dakota.

2012 – 2020 : Flowers from Minot Custom longarm quilted for the Quilt As Desired Exhibit, Pieced & Currated by Mary Kerr

2018 March : NACQJ Award of Merit “Day Break” by Linda L. Guidinger of Minot, ND Quilted by Debbie Kaufman of Minot, ND Awarded by NACQJ CJ Shelly Burge

2016 : Gyroscopic : Lamp Shade : 3rd Place New Traditions in Textiles MQX Quilt Festival

2016 : Faculty Award MQX Quilt Festival : Ombre Mandala : pieced by Lyn Sys, quilted by Debbie Kauffman

2016 : Best Quilt Technique : North Dakota State Fair : Ombre Mandala : pieced by Lyn Sys, quilted by Debbie Kauffman

2016 : Best Machine Quilting : Minot Prairie Quilt Festival : Copper Blossoms pieced by Lynn Schwan, quilted by Debbie Kauffman

Nothing scheduled, at this time. Check back here for future learning opportunities. Thanks for your interest.