THE STORY OF PIECES TO TREASURE
For Jenelle Kent, the heart behind Pieces to Treasure, creativity has always been stitched into the fabric of her life. “I often think of my journey as a creative thread that’s woven itself through every stage,” she says—and it’s a fitting metaphor. From childhood days spent imagining what bolts of fabric could become, to designing sophisticated collections for Moda, Jenelle’s passion for textiles has remained
a constant companion.
Jenelle began her professional life as a primary school teacher in coastal New South Wales, Australia, where she lives in MacMasters Beach, about an hour north of Sydney. But it wasn’t long before quilting captured her imagination. “I discovered patchwork at a local shop and became immediately hooked,” she recalls. The endless colour combinations and creative possibilities proved irresistible. As her family grew, so did her creative ambitions. She began designing children’s patterns, eventually opening her own quilt shop. “That’s when I realized I’d found my perfect job,” she says. That love of teaching never left her—today it lives on in her patterns, tutorials, and videos for quilters worldwide.
Her journey took a dream-come-true turn \when she began designing fabric for Moda. “It’s been the most rewarding journey, and one that I’m still constantly learning and growing through.”
Known for her refined yet approachable style, Jenelle has carved a unique niche through her use of wovens and Moda toweling. “Woven stripes became a foundation for many of my designs,” she explains. “They lend themselves to a myriad of possibilities, and designing with them is a joy.” Her latest collection for Moda, Summer Solstice, embodies that joy in every thread. Inspired by the soft, golden light of late
summer days, the line features deep sea blues, sun-washed waterfall shades, and pops of citrusy yellow. “It’s familiar but with a twist of sunshine,” she says. Classic stripes and ginghams anchor the line with timeless charm, while new explorations in light and shadow add depth and dimension.A particular standout for Jenelle? “The soft waterfall blue and canary yellow stripe—it’s cheerful and sun-washed,” she says. And for versatility, she loves the trio of larger gingham checks: afternoon, waterfall, and nautical blue.
When it comes to pattern design, Jenelle strikes a beautiful balance between style and functionality. “Designing with Moda toweling is particularly exciting because it brings functionality to the forefront,” she says. Geometry plays a big role too—an element that speaks to her inner “geometry nerd.” The Summer Solstice patterns reflect her signature approach: timeless yet fresh. From the applique beauty of the Limoncello Spritz runner to the restful elegance of Sunwashed and Woven Blooms quilts, each piece is thoughtfully crafted to inspire creativity and joy.
Now that her shop has closed, Jenelle is embracing new opportunities to design, Jenelle's quilt, create, and connect. “I plan on showing the versatility of Moda toweling and wovens—how they can be combined with prints or used alone to make truly beautiful and practical projects,” she says. She’s also creating more video tutorials and blog content to share her expertise and spark new ideas for quilters everywhere. When she’s not stitching, Jenelle enjoys gardening, walking, home renovating, and even playing piano in a swing band. “I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by my family and rescue cat,” she says, “and to be
able to share my love of fabric and design with stitchers all over the world.”
Connect with Jenelle Kent:
Instagram: @piecestotreasure
Website & Blog: piecestotreasure.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@
piecestotreasure4673
