Diana McClun’s career as a quiltmaker blossomed in mid-life, inspired by her mother and grandmother’s fascination with fabric and quilts. As a toddler playing in her mother’s kitchen, Diana recalls playing with fabric scraps kept visibly in the flour bin to amuse her while her mother worked.

With a college Wool Growers and 4-H scholarship Diana chose the University of Idaho to study clothing and textiles. Diana taught several of her grandchildren how to quilt. This completed a cycle of five generations of quilters in her family who share a passion for quilting--a rich legacy of which they can all be proud.

Diana enrolled at San Jose State University in 1970 to study fine arts. Eventually, her love of fabric lead her to San Francisco State University for further study of textiles. In 1980 Diana changed her career path from teaching garment tailoring to creative quiltmaking, fulfilling her life-long dream. Putting her training in education, art and textiles to good use, Diana began her own business, Empty Spools in Alamo, CA. Her business centered on fabrics and quiltmaking but Diana focused on developing an outstanding program of classes in a creative environment while stressing high quality teaching methods. During this period, college graduate Laura Nownes was seeking to make a career change that would utilize her artistic gifts. Laura became a quiltmaking instructor and the store manager.

Laura’s passion for making quilts is an extension of her love of sewing. From an early age she made doll clothes and progressed to making her own garments, often working on projects for neighbors. Her early involvement in 4-H provided her first teaching experience to younger members. After taking her first sampler quilt class in 1979 she knew she had found a lifelong interest.

Her connection with Diana’s shop in 1980 allowed her to share her talents with students. Before long, Laura became one of the shop’s leading teachers working with beginners. Over time, Diana and Laura’s friendship led to their collaboration of four landmark quiltmaking books and an Instructor’s Guide for beginning and intermediate quiltmaking.

In 1986 while Laura was on maternity leave with her first daughter, Diana approached her about co-authoring a beginning how-to book. The book was intended to be used just in the shop. However, Michael Kile of The Quilt Digest Press chose to publish the book. Shortly thereafter Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! was born. The successful response to this book encouraged Diana and Laura to continue writing.

The pair has worked together on television programs, with study groups and in seminars. Their excellent teaching methods have touched thousands of students, providing them with a good start in basic quiltmaking.

Together, they founded The Teacher Development Seminars resulting from their commitment to the continuing education of quiltmaking. They facilitate the annual C&T Publishing Teachers Retreat, and train quilt professionals, guiding them in the skills of both teaching and quiltmaking. The classes they offer are always taught by experienced, well known quilting authors.

For the past nineteen years Diana has been co-founder and director of Empty Spools Seminars, held at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA. Laura teaches a five-day class at this Seminar.