Biography
Ana Buzzalino is an award winning textile artist and quilt maker. Her art has won awards at national and international shows. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Ana Buzzalino grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where sewing was part of her life from an early age. She studied dressmaking and art while at school. In early 1983, Ana moved to Calgary, Alberta. A couple of years later, while walking down the street, she spotted what she thought was a blanket displayed in a shop window. When she went inside to ask about purchasing it, she was told it wasn’t for sale, but that she could learn to make her own. She signed up for a beginner’s quilting class that very day, and she never looked back. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ana has been teaching quilting and textile arts since 1986. Throughout her career, she has continued to expand her knowledge through workshops with renowned quilt and textile artists, including Claire Benn, Hollis Chatelain, Laura Cater-Woods, and Elizabeth Barton, as well as classes at Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary.
An award-winning textile artist, surface designer, author, teacher, and lecturer, Ana’s work has evolved over the years from art quilting and surface design to a growing exploration of slow stitching and textile books. Her practice brings together colour, texture, layering, and hand stitching. She combines her own hand-dyed and designed fabrics with vintage linens, lace, doilies, buttons, and other found materials, drawn to the histories they carry and the possibilities they offer for new compositions. Her work explores memory, time, personal history, and the beauty of materials that have been loved and used.
Ana’s work has received numerous awards and has been exhibited nationally and internationally. In 2019, she was honoured as Quilter of Distinction at Heritage Park’s 24th Annual Festival of Quilts in Calgary.
Ana is a frequent contributor to Quilting Arts Magazine, where her work has appeared on the cover of four issues, and to A Needle Pulling Thread. Her work has also been featured in American Quilter’s Society Magazine, Modern Patchwork, 101 Patchwork Projects, Quilt Scene, and Stitched Journeys with Birds: Inspiration to Let Your Creativity Take Flight. She has appeared on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show, hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, and has produced two instructional workshop DVDs with Interweave/F&W.
Based in Calgary, Ana continues to create, teach, and share her passion for textiles. Through her workshops and lectures, she encourages others to experiment with materials, explore new techniques, and discover their own creative voice.
Awards
2026
- “A Walk Among the Rocks“- juried into the Grand National Fibre Art Exhibition, Textures of Canada.
2024
- “Rhapsody in Red: Textile Stories in Scarlet” – exhibition, Pacific International Quilt Festival, July 2024.
2023
- Trunk Show — Pacific International Quilt Festival, October 2023.
2021
“The Woman who is Alone and Waits” (La Mujer que está Sola y Espera) – Juried into The Grand National Exhibition
2019
2019 Quilter of Distinction – 24th Annual Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park
2018
“What Remains …” – 3rd Prize in Painted Surfaces at the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“What Remains …” – Juried into the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – Judges’ Choice Award at the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK
“What Remains …” – 2nd Prize – Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“Warner” – 1st Prize – Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
2017
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – 1st Prize in Abstract – Small At the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“Warner” – Juried into the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“The Shape of Things Unseen” – 1st Prize in Category and 1st Prize in Section at the Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – 1st Prize in Category and 3rd Prize in Section at the Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“The Shape of Things Unseen” – Excellence in Threadwork using Wonderfil – National Juried Show – Canadian Quilters Association
2016
“Just Before the Lights Come on”
Juried into Tactile Architecture – International Quilt Festival – Houston, TX
“The Shape of Things Unseen”
Juried into the 2016 Quilts: A World of Beauty – International Quilt Festival – Houston TX
“Just Before the Lights Come on”
Quilt Canada Invitational – Toronto, Ontario
2010
“The Blue Door”
Juried into the Grand National Quilt Show – Kitchener, Ontario
2009
“On the Wings of a Dream”
First Place – Bernina Great Canadian Quilt and Fiber Arts Challenge – Traditional Design
“The Blue Door”
First Place – Bernina Great Canadian Quilt and Fiber Arts Challenge – Wall Hanging – Innovative Design
“The Shell Seekers”
Finalist – Miniature Art Quilt – IQA Show – Houston
“Two Pears”
Winner Quilting Arts Calendar 2010 Challenge – January
“Calla Lillies”
Finalist – Quilting Arts Calendar 2010 Challenge
2008
“Dawn over Heritage Park”
Best of Canada – World Quilt Show
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – World Quilt Show
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – AQS Show, Paducah, KY
2007
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – IQA Show, Houston
“On the Wings of a Dream”
1st Place – Western Showcase – Calgary Stampede
2006
“Stars over Kananaskis”
Excellence for Traditional Large Wall Quilt – CQA/ACC
“In a New York State of Mind”
Finalist – CQA/ACC
2005-1987
Numerous other awards at local shows
Publications
2026
“Thresholds and Keys: Textile Art” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 72
2025
“Dawn of a New Day Art Quilt” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 71
“Stitching Wisdom: 20 Gentle Reminders for Every Fibre Artist’s Journey” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 70
“The Art of Hand Stitching on Machine-Quilted Pieces” – Quilting Arts Magazine Summer 2025 – Issue 126
“No Waste: Creative Ways to Use Fabric Scraps” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 69
2024
“The Importance of the Golden Mean, the Fibonacci Sequence and the Rule of Thirds” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 68
“Forest Fibre Art Quilt” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 67
“The Art of Fabric Postcards: Capturing Moments, Sharing Stories” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 66
2023
“A Bright Future: Hope Mini Wall Quilt” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 65
“Texture in Textile: Creating an Idea Book” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 64
“The Wonders of a One-Block Quilt” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 63
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination Part 3” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2023 – Issue 119
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination Part 2” – Quilting Arts Magazine Summer 2023 – Issue 118
“The Moon on the Sea Shimmers” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 62
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination – Learn the Basics” – Quilting Arts Magazine Summer 2023 – Issue 117
“Ethereal Overlays – Print on tissue paper to add moody layers” – Quilting Arts Magazine Winter 2023 – Issue 116
2022
“Unique Free Motion Quilting Designs Inspired by Tiles” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 61
“Making Waves using Thread for Fibre Art Projects” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 60
“Making Hexagon Quilt Blocks by Machine” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 59
“From Sketch to Stitch Revisited: Applying Bold Texture to Colorful Wholecloth Quilts” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2022 – Issue 115
“From Sketch to Stitch to Color with Inktense Pencils” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2022 – Issue 115 (republished)
“Interview with Ana Buzzalino” – Exploring Art Quilts with Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. Volume 2 – Around the World
“Applying Acrylic Skins” – Quilting Arts Magazine Spring 2022 – Issue 113
“Fabric Collage – New Beginnings” – Quilting Arts Magazine Winter 2022 – Issue 112
“A Brief History of Landscape Art and Tutorial” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 58
“Simple Landscapes with Stitch and Paint” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 58
2021
“The Concept and Importance of Resilience” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 57
“Making Waves using Thread” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 60
“The Making of Sketch No. 7” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 56
“A Close Look at Couching” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 55
“Monoprinting Layers with Stencils and Masks” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2021 – Issue 111
“Snippet Scrolls” – Quilting Arts Magazine Sumer 2021 – Issue 110
2020
“The Art of Repetition” – Quilting Arts Podcast – Episode 4
“Architectural Structure and Quilting” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 53
“Working with Transfer Artist Paper” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 52
2019
“Artist to Watch – Ana Buzzalino” – Studio Quilt Art Associates (SAQA) – Art Quilt Quarterly
“Hand-dyeing fabrics with rust” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 51
“Reflections on 100 – Sentiments & Stories” – Quilting Arts Magazine August / September 2019 – Issue 100
“Matchstick Quilting, Satin Stitch and Cross Stitch” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 50
Artist to Watch – Studio Art Quilt Associates – Art Quilt Quarterly – Issue 17
“The Slow Stitching Movement and the Running Stitch” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 49
“Sophisticated Monoprinting with Stencils and Masks” – Quilting Arts Magazine April / May 2019 – Issue 98
2018
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – Photo published in Quilting Arts Magazine June / July 2018 – Issue 93
2017
“Make your Mark: Text on Textiles with Free-motion Quilting” – Quilting Arts Magazine August / September 2017 – Issue 88
“Feather Quilting in Borders” – Quilting Arts Magazine February / March 2017 – Issue 85
“Quilting Feathers in Shapes” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016/January 2017 – Issue 84
2016
“Quilting Feathers in Shapes” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016/January 2017 – Issue 84
“Quilting with the Masters: Using artwork as inspiration” – International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene 2016/2017
Quilting Arts TV Series 1900
“Feathers in tight spaces” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016 / January 2017 – Issue84
“Feather Quilting Basics” – Quilting Arts Magazine October/November 2016 – Issue 83
“Quilting with the Masters” – International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene 2016
“New York Beauty Pillow Cover” – Modern Patchwork Gifts 2016
“Make Your Digital Quilts Sing – Editing Photos in PowerPoint” – Quilting Arts Magazine – June/July 2016 – Issue 81
2014
“Rocks & Stones & Pebbles Oh My!” – Quilting Arts Magazine June/July 2014 – Issue#69
2013
Quilting Arts TV Series 1200
“Quilting and Dyeing Serendipity” – Quilting Arts Workshop DVD
“From Sketch to Stitch to Color with Inktense Pencils”
Quilting Arts Magazine – August / September 2013 – Issue #64
2012
Quilting Arts TV Series 1000
2011
“Off the Page: Sketchbook Keeping for Textile Artists” – Quilting Arts Magazine – Holiday 11/12
Quilting Arts TV Series 900 – 3 segments
“The Big Decision – How to quilt your quilt” – International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene 2011
Quilting Arts Workshop DVD “Machine Stitching and Painting Quilts”
“A Quilter’s Christmas” – Quilting Arts Gifts Magazine – Holiday 2011/2012
Quilting Arts TV: Series 800 – 3 Segments
“Fresh Tulips Book Cover” – Summer 2011 – A Needle Pulling Thread
101 Patchwork Projects – “Strippy Book Cover” – Spring 2011
2010
“Quilted and Painted Canvases” – Quilting Arts Magazine – December/January – Article & Cover
“Sopa Rosita” – Quilting Arts Magazine – October/November – Calendar Challenge 2011, Judge’s Choice
“Creative Play with Discharge Paste” – Quilting Arts Magazine – August/September – Article & Cover
2009
“Two Pears” – January – Quilting Arts Calendar
2008
“On the Wings of a Dream” – Cover of AQS Magazine – February/March
“Moments” – Journal Quilt – Quilting Arts Magazine – February/March
2007
Calgary Herald – “Blockbuster of a Quilt” – Neighbors Section – North & South Editions, December 6-12
2006
Calgary Herald – “Wrapped Up” – Neighbors Section – North & South Editions, August 3-9
Trunk Shows & Presentations
Ana Buzzalino has extensive experience presenting lectures, trunk shows, demonstrations, and workshops to quilting guilds, textile arts organizations, and creative groups across Canada, the United States, and internationally.
Her presentations explore textile art, creativity, surface design, art quilting, monoprinting, fabric painting, stitching, and the creative process. She teaches both in person and online, offering workshops that encourage experimentation, technical exploration, and the development of individual artistic voices.
Selected documented presentations include:
2025
Lecture — From Blueprint to Thread: Architecture as Inspiration — Canadian Quilters Association
2024
Lecture — From Blueprint to Thread: Architecture as Inspiration — Saskatchewan Stitches Conference
2022
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Greater Ann Arbor Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Guild of Arts and Crafts – Yellowknife
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Northwest Quilters – Portland OR
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – County Line Quilters
Lecture – Creativity in times of Covid and Stress – Quilt guild by the Sea
2021
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – Canadian Quilters Association
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Oakville Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Macomb County Quilt Guild
Lecture – Creativity in times of Covid – Fiber Artists of San Antonio
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Twilight Quilters Guild of Norfolk County
Lecture – Thoughts on Creativity – Gulf Coast Modern Quilt Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Orange County Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Boundary Bay Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Saskatchewan Stitches Conference
2020
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – The Flying Needles Quilt Guild
2016
Trunk Show – Inuvik Quilt Guild – Inuvik, NT
2015
Trunk Show – High TEA – Fort Smith, NT
Trunk Show – The Textile Guild and Lethbridge Centennial Guild Guild, Lethbridge, AB
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2014
Trunk Show – Mahone Bay Quilt Guild – Mahone Bay, NS
Trunk Show – Annapolis Valley Decorative Artists – Greenwich, NS
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2013
Trunk Show – Edmonton Quilters Guild – Edmonton, AB
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2012
The Fraser Valley Quilt Guild – Delta, BC
2009
Trunk Show – Quilting in the Trees – Pearson College – Victoria, BC
Trunk Show – The Piecemakers – Calgary, AB
2007
Featured Speaker Heritage Park Festival of Quilts
Membership
CQA/ACC : Canadian Quilters Association / Association Canadienne de la Counterpointe
http://www.canadianquilter.com/
SAQA : Studio Art Quilt Associates
http://www.saqa.com/