Monique Dillard, of Rockford, Illinois, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her love of quilting was nurtured by relatives in Canada who taught her the art of handwork and sewing. She parlayed her degree in mathematics into a genuine understanding of the need for accurate 1/4" seams, squared blocks, and precise cutting. She was a regular teacher at her local quilt shop for 15 years until her budding quilt design business, Open Gate, steered her career toward a national audience. These days, you can find Monique teaching across the United States at quilt guilds, weekend retreats, and quilt shops. Monique's classes always fill up fast with fans from previous classes and students eager to learn from this talented designer.