During the 1980s, Kathy began to focus on quilt history and design. She became acquainted with an Amish community in Western Wisconsin in 1984, and her study of their quilts and techniques improved her own piecing and hand quilting skills significantly. Kathy's friendship with families in this settlement still continues today. Their peaceful way of life has been an inspiration to Kathy through the years and she enjoys visiting and corresponding with her Amish friends. As a result of this continuing friendship, she has been able to study their history, lifestyle and quilts in depth and provides lectures on this subject.

Kathy and her husband, David, have been married for 29 years. They have watched their seven children grow to adulthood and add 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren to their family. After serving as missionaries to Mexico in the late 1980s, the Kansiers moved to Missouri. They now live on 13 wooded acres between Springfield and Branson, Missouri. David owns a construction business. He is Kathy's closest friend and supporter of her quilt making activities. He often accompanies her to quilt shows, acting as her "financial manager" among the venders. David and Kathy are currently building a bed and breakfast retreat on their property. It will be available for quilting and rug hooking retreats in the near future.

Kathy is a strong supporter of local quilt guilds. She has been an active member of the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild since 1992 and served as their program chairperson for two years. This guild has a current membership of over 350 members. The guild has provided lasting friendships, great teachers, workshops and professional encouragements. Recently Kathy helped to form an appliqu� group within this local guild.

Kathy holds active memberships in the following quilt-related organizations:

• American Quilter's Society (AQS)
• American Quilter's Society List of Certified Quilt Appraisers
• American Quilter's Society Museum (MAQS)
• American Quilt Study Group (AQSG)
• Baltimore Applique Society (BAS)
• International Machine Quilters Association (IMQA)
• As the Needle Turns (a local applique group)
• International Quilt Association (IQA)
• Missouri State Quilters Guild (MSQG)
• MOKA (a four-state quilt history study group)
• National Quilting Association (NQA)
• Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild (OPQG)
• Professional Association of Quilter Appraisers (PAAQT)
• Show Me Your Stitches (a local TAS chapter)
• Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)
• The Applique Society (TAS)
• Uncommon Threads (a local art group)

Because of her love of quilts and quilt history, Kathy began to pursue a career in quilt appraising in the late 1990s. In 2001, she became a Certified Appraiser of Quilted Textiles with the American Quilter's Society. Since that time, she has appraised over 1600 quilts. She now travels through the United States, appraising at shows, guilds and shops. For further information on appraising and quilt history, click on the related pages in this web site.

Kathy is inspired by every quilt she sees and as a result, she enjoys making all types of quilts using a variety of techniques. She has chosen not to focus on just one technique or style on which to improve and excel because she knows she would then become bored with quilt making. As a result, one week she may be working on a crazy quilt and the next week an applique project. Kathy's award-winning quilts have been exhibited in both regional and national shows. In addition to quilt making, Kathy also enjoys rug hooking, basket making, embroidery and counted cross stitch.

Kathy began teaching quilt making after moving to Springfield, Missouri. She teaches regularly at The Quilt Sampler - Springfield's largest quilt shop. Kathy's classes are often filled to capacity and students go on to take every class she teaches. Her students often comment, "I have never learned so much in a class as I have with Kathy!" When teaching at guilds and shows, her down-to-earth teaching approach has inspired many. Often students have made award-winning quilts as a result of Kathy's classes. Kathy was one of the nominees for the "2001 Teacher of the Year Award" with the Professional Quilter Journal. Kathy is also in the Bernina National Teachers Program. She is available to travel internationally to teach at quilt guilds, quilt shops and shows. She has taught on an international level at the AQS Show, the Machine Quilters Showcase, Innovations, the Applique Society Show and the International Quilt Festivals in Chicago and Houston. In 2008, she traveled to Brazil to teach and judge at a quilt festival. In 2009, she will be traveling to the British Isles to teach.

Kathy's greatest joy is to encourage quilt makers. This joy translates not only to her classrooms but on the judging floor as well. Kathy began judging quilt shows in the late 1990s. She has also served as a volunteer on many judging floors. In total, she has been involved either as a volunteer or a judge in over 45 quilt shows. Her judging experience has ranged from local county fairs international shows. To learn more about her judging services, go to the services page in this website.

Kathy enjoys designing patterns for quilt makers and rug hookers. Her patterns are inexpensive, easy to make and include well-written instructions. She has a number of patterns currently available and is continually adding new ones to the list. These patterns may be ordered directly from Kathy. To obtain a listing of patterns and prices, please contact her by email.

Protecting Tomorrow's Treasures Today is a 35 page book written by Kathy. It includes valuable information on appraisals, quilt history, and quilt care. This booklet may be ordered by sending a check or money order to Kathy. The total cost for the booklet, shipping & handling is $7.00.

Kathy writes regular articles for The Applique Society Magazine and other quilt-related magazines. Her articles are on a variety of subjects and always come under the heading Quilts Up Close by Kathy Kansier . To obtain a listing of these articles, please contact Kathy by email. As with her patterns, these articles may be obtained at a minimal cost.

Kathy's new book, Ozark Varieties, is fast becoming a favorite book among applique enthusiasts. The quilt on the cover of the book has been displayed at the AQS Show in Paducah, Kentucky and the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. A special applique exhibit that featured quilts made from these patterns was displayed at the 2006 Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show in Springfield, Missouri. To order copies of this book, go to the home page of this web site. It's a good book for those who are beginners to applique as well as those who have been doing applique. There are patterns for all nine blocks and the scalloped border in the book as well as photos of quilts that were made from the patterns.