Rae Heller (rae)

Connection (un)stable, areyouthere April 2025. Repurposed fabric. Hand and machine quilted. 28.5” x 31.5” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is the final piece in this body of 5 small quilts that I started @vermontstudiocenter and created for softedge, 2 person show with @_lena_mac_ back in May. ✨ slide to last photo to see this series’s humble beginnings. Grateful and heartbroken, and by the revisions these pieces went through. Read about it on my substack. Link in profile. A taste below. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ——— ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “I think often about the things I say so casually on the phone in moments of (dis)connection because of cell service hitting a dead zone or static because 4G 5G 6G? or at the beginning of the call when we are connecting our devices through the ether and we keep repeating things that may or may not be heard and then we ultimately connect and we take for granted all that exists to speak across worlds and through the air and it’s like we were never disconnected even for a moment by space or time or colorbodypart technology. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ These banal and fleeting phrases I say to my dear people, and often, entertain and haunt me. I find it hilarious how annoyed I get over these moments - the frustration in being disconnected even for just a moment, by no fault of our own! In quilt form these same statements speak to the frailty of the human body, fact of death, and, now you know, my deep heartache. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This piece parallels themes of my relationship: the static of disconnection, the see-saw of despair and hope, and the confusion in daydreaming lives that I didn’t want.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [ID in alt text]

free quilt pattern. #fukicequiltblock ‼️54 squares needed for the FUK ICE. 89 for the background. Would love to see your raefont versions. No PDF. Just middle of the night scratches. 6” squares would make a ~12’ long banner. Just saying. #fuckice

Some things are easier when you're not doing them alone. 🐝 The Spring Studio Series is coming, and we are so excited to share all the details! This series designed for makers who have the ideas, the fabric, and the desire, but could use the time, space, and community to actually do the thing. You just pick which track is right for you. Today we’re spotlighting two of our four tracks and instructors! The Quilt Track with Jessa: 6 sessions, Sundays 2–5pm, starting May 31. Bring your pattern, your fabric, your WIP, or let us help you find the right project. You bring it, Jessa helps you move it forward. With 30 years of experience and a gift for meeting makers where they are, this is the accountability and support so many of us have been missing. The Improv Track with Rae: 6 sessions, Mondays 6–8:30pm, starting June 1. Less about following a pattern, more about learning to decide. Color, composition, intuition, design — each session has a clear focus, paired with individualized feedback on whatever you're working on. Rae is a two-time Vermont Studio Center alum, award-winning quilter, and practicing artist whose work lives at the intersection of art and craft. If you've ever wanted to develop a more personal artistic voice in your quilting, this is the track for you. More details and registration on our website!

❤️‍🔥All student work!!!! ❤️‍🔥 2 upcoming opportunities to quilt with me in ma+vt: 1. “Quilting: Basics & Beyond”@marlborostudioschool in Marlboro, VT. This 4 week course starts THIS weekend! Sundays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm (4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10). 2. “Improv Track” @hoopandbee @eastworks_community in Easthampton, MA. 6 week course starts June 1st, 6:00pm-8:30pm. Let’s be brave and dumb together ❤️‍🔥 Get the details in my recent substack post. Thank you @jeff_barnett_winsby for these shiny studio photographs. Thank you @robynkonichiwa for SEXISTENTIAL. Thank you @mastermanceramics for this stunning bolo tie. Thank you crocuses most of all. [ID in alt text]

Perfect time to invest in a sweatshirt now that it’s warm! 🥵😂 Big huge mega ginormous holy moly thank you to my sweet neighbor Maureen for teaching me how to use her embroidery machine to make these luxe labels for yall!! 🫶🏻💖🌟 ALSO omg @art.bylmj for thrifting these sweatshirts! 💎 $160-360 sliding scale, pay what you can, plus shipping. Open to commissions ass well. Like. Send me your sweatshirt. Xo. Tie dye with hood (XLish) Pit to pit: 27” Side seam: 16” Shoulder seam: 8.5” Blue crop (S/M) Pit to pit: 21” Side seam: 11.5” Shoulder seam: 6.5” Black hoodie (S/M) - at @apt.one_shop ! Pit to pit: 23” Side seam: 16” Shoulder seam: 8.5” Mauve (M/L) Pit to pit: 25” Side seam: 16” Shoulder seam: 7” Tie dye no hood (XL/XXL) - at @apt.one_shop ! Pit to pit: 25” Side seam: 17” Shoulder seam: 10”

So honored to be a part of “By a Thread” at @seabavt 💖 400 Pine Street, Burlington, VT up until March 28th. Who knew heartbreak could look this good??! Take your crush! Take yourself! Go see it THIS week!!! From SEABA’s site: “The call invites artists to delve into themes of tension, connection, vulnerability, and strength. The thread is the fundamental building block of fiber art, yet it also represents the most delicate point of connection.” 💖💖💖

Anyone else’s self portrait? also look like Shane Hollander’s? ~21”x25”, quilt top in process. Made from thrifted fabric and feral divorcee energy. You know. [ID In alt text]

I can’t believe it’s only been a week since leaving @wassaicproject . I have SO much gratitude for the space place and people. One of my favorite moments was everyone hanging in my little studio space!! The best feeling✨gah miss seeing yall in the studio and listening to Danny’s song of the day! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Check out these stars (in order of our studios 🥹) @estaeslacuentadepedrotr @meatspace2000 @dcastro.art @chinginchen @halliebahn @shawnbitters And so much gratitude to the entire Wassaic family for making it all happen omg!! Especially @hottieofnyc @danielleklebes @willhutnick @biddlebiddle @jeff_barnett_winsby @ghostofadreamart and Dane! I need to find Dane! 🙏🏻💖✨

Let’s collab @homegoods ??!! … better wetter work in process…. having too much fun not to share. Swipe for first version. [ ID in alt text ]

I’m ok A lot in process !

YOU STILL CAN 14”x17” (larger one is 80” square!) Framed. Available @bluetrianglegallery 💙🩵🩶 Thank you @hpopinchalk and @weinbergdesign for including me in Chroma Zone!! ❤️‍🔥 It somehow feels right that most of the pictures I have from the weekend are blurry and of my hot friends and my new soulmate Hopscotch. @art.bylmj and @benboothby , you were there in spirit! 💖

anyone else? ——— Work in progress! Thank you @benjyrussellphotos for expanding my vocabulary. ✨ ID in alt text.