Carolyn Forster is a quilter and educator whose meticulous approach to quiltmaking and passion for skill-building have made her a highly respected voice within the quilting community. Since beginning her publishing journey with Search Press in 2012, Carolyn has developed a thoughtfully curated body of work that reflects both technical precision and a deep understanding of how people learn and grow through creating.
Carolyn started making quilts when she was a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the Bath Spa University. Since graduating, she has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA and has had her quilts featured in a number of books and magazines, including Today's Quilter and French magazine Magic Patch. Carolyn lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK, where Search Press’s central offices are!
Carolyn’s books are characterised by their clarity, structure and gentle progression, giving readers the tools they need to develop confidence without feeling overwhelmed. Her teaching centres on process as much as outcome, encouraging quiltmakers to take their time, understand their materials and techniques, and enjoy the creative journey along the way.
Her first titles with Search Press, Jelly Roll Quilts and Gifts and Twenty to Make Jelly Roll Scraps laid strong foundations by introducing accessible methods that challenge the idea that quilting must be complex or intimidating.
In 2021 Carolyn published Big Stitch Quilting and Quilting as You Go (QAYG) with Search Press, these books allowed readers to approach quilting step by step, building skills in a manageable and rewarding way. Carolyn’s emphasis on thoughtful construction continued with Hand-Stitched Quilts in 2023, which explored the expressive possibilities of handwork and slow stitching, and String Quilts in 2024, where Carolyn re-examined traditional ideas through a modern, creative lens.
In 2025, Carolyn expanded her reach further with The Easy Guide to Machine Quiltmaking, a practical and reassuring guide designed to break down machine quilting techniques and support readers at varying stages of experience. She also brought her expertise to Search Press’s much-loved Twenty to Make series with All-New Twenty to Make: One-Patch Quilts, offering a fresh and thoughtful perspective within this familiar and accessible format. Carolyn has continued to build on this momentum with a growing and varied list that reflects both range and curiosity. All-New Twenty to Make: Chicken Scratch Embroidery, published in 2026, introduces a playful crossover between quilting and embroidery.
Carolyn’s upcoming title, 1930s Quilts, publishing in July 2026, revisits a distinctive historical style with sensitivity, research and practical insight. We are excited to see what modern-day quilters learn from the past with Carolyn. Together, these books highlight Carolyn’s ability to move confidently between techniques, eras and disciplines while maintaining a clear and cohesive creative voice.
Collaborating with Carolyn is a hugely rewarding experience. She brings focus and care to every project, along with sharing our belief in producing resources that support crafters and sewists as they develop their skills. Her books invite exploration, build understanding and encourage creativity grounded in knowledge. Carolyn has sold over 175,000 copies of her informative and inspirational books with us!
We are extremely proud of the work Carolyn has created with Search Press to date and look forward to continuing our collaboration as her publishing journey continues to unfold.
