Karen, first to quilt in space, hand-stitched a star block from recycled materials in orbit.  Inspiring NASA's Astronomical Quilt Block Challenge, which brought together thousands of quilters worldwide and 2014's International Quilt Festivalshowed their work - a powerful example of art and science coming together.  

Karen learned to quilt at a young age and continues to create textile art inspired by her experiences viewing Earth from space.  Since retiring from NASA. she has focused on sustainability and design, collaberating with Robert Kaufman Fabrics on collections, all based on her photography and perspective from orbit. [

Karen also co-created the Lunar Quilt Challenge (2024-2025), a global initiative inviting artists, students, and communities to explore sustainability, heritage, and humanity's connection to space through textile art.  The project culminated in a showcase at the Kennedy Center and now serves as a foundation for the international initiative INTERWOVEN: The Threads That Connect Earth and Space. 

Come hear Karen's experiences sewing in space and the unique challenges involved.