Toya R.B. Thomas is a fiber artist based in Novi, Michigan.

Toya R.B. Thomas is a fiber artist from Novi, Michigan. Her first quilt in 2009 was expected to be a “one and done” quilt for the Oakland County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Since then, she has retired from her full-time career as a Tax Manager and has been quilting for over 15 years with over 100 pieces to her credit.

Toya has exhibited at shows and galleries across the United States and internationally in France. She is a member of the Great Lakes African American Quilters Network, EPIC Colorful Stitchers, and the National African American Quilt Guild. Toya also teaches various quilting technique classes at local quilt shops, retreats, and guilds.

Toya enjoys the challenge of working with unrelated fabrics and/or rescued articles of clothing and developing them into a themed memory quilt or art piece of historical significance or social consciousness. Many of her pieces use African and African-inspired fabrics and often portray cultural experiences and influences. The fusion of art and memory quilting into a unified tapestry, that captures a story, is what brings her a great sense of peace and joy - her Quiltitude!

Education

  • Howard University, Washington, D.C. 

  • Walsh College, Troy, MI

  • Life experiences from West Virginia, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Liberia

Clients

  • United Martin Family

  • Acres of Ancestry

  • Detroit Historical Museum

Skill-Sharing

  • Rockin' Bobbins Custom Quilting and Quilt Shop

  • Sandy's Make it Sew

  • Hartland Quilt Shop

  • Great Lakes African American Quilters' Network

  • National African American Quilt Convention