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ABOUT US Atkinson Designs is a family-run quilt pattern business. Elk River, Minnesota is home to the Atkinson family. Terry designs the quilts and writes all of the pattern instructions, Kirk is the business manager, and son Derek and daughter Megan help out wherever they can.
Terry started the pattern business as "Simple Pleasures Patterns" in 1994 when Megan went off to kindergarten. She adapted her most popular class handouts for the first two patterns. Initially, the patterns were sold in local quilt shops. A pattern distributor picked up those first two patterns that year, giving the patterns exposure across the U.S. In 1997, Quilt Market was held in Minneapolis, and Terry exhibited for the first time, giving her patterns even more exposure to shops and distributors.
In 1998, a new pattern company also called "Simple Pleasures" appeared at Quilt Market in St. Louis. An internet search turned up even more businesses using the same name. "Simple Pleasures Patterns" was changed to "Atkinson Designs" to avoid future mixups.
Atkinson Designs now has many patterns and books, with that first pattern, Seminole Table Runner, continuing to be a favorite! |
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 TERRY Terry taught Home Ec for four years, adult quilting classes for 15 years, and even taught preschool! This teaching background is the reason her instructions are so easy to follow — they are written as if she is right there explaining it to you in class. Terry's attention span is pretty short (according to Kirk,) so you know the quilts will be quick and easy. Terry always has new projects in the works, and her favorite quilt is always the one she is just starting. In addition to the business and her hobbies of quilting and scrapbooking, Terry enjoys traveling with Kirk. |
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 KIRK In 1998, Kirk left a 20-year career in restaurant management to "take care of business" at Atkinson Designs. He takes care of all the shipping, ordering, finances, trunk shows, payroll, etc., while Terry is out shopping or playing with fabric. In his spare time Kirk is active in community theater and church choir. |
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 DEREK Derek's first love is music. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts studying music education. He is currently living at home working in the office and finishing his remaining coursework, while on the side finding the time to compose and play the trombone and piano. He plans to move to New York City, at which time his parents will need to find someone else to cover the many business responsibilities he has taken on. |
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 MEGAN Megan is a student at Arcadia University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently studying abroad in London, England and having a blast meeting new people every day. She hasn't picked a major yet, but plans to graduate in three years and travel the world somewhere in between. |
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 LIZZIE and SYLVESTER Lizzie makes sure that all the rubber bands are in working order by eating them. She also makes sure Terry is awake at six in the morning every day. Sylvester helps Terry by curling up on her chair every time she gets up to iron, and assists Kirk by walking across the keyboard and sitting in front of the computer screen. Both of the cats test all of the new quilts by sleeping on them before they are finished. |
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