Kim Exshaw shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kim , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I definitely think I’m walking my path now but I haven’t always felt that. Ironically it was an Ancestry DNA test that helped me find self acceptance in how I walk my path. Over the years I have felt an immense amount of shame because I probably don’t do things the same way or rather the way society tells us to do things: 9-5 hours, early risers, blah blah. The test and what it revealed to me flooded me with self acceptance. I am a night person, its actually in my DNA. Once I stopped fighting myself, accepted who I am and how I go about doing things, I got stuff DONE! It opened to door to so many things I was denying myself of because it didn’t fit the mold. I started listening to my intuition way more too which allowed my creative juices to flow freely. Yes, I stay up wayyy late, sometimes not making it to bed until 4 am. But I feel ALIVE! I feel things coming together, moving forward with a ton of ideas. It feels really good! And it all started with a DNA test, crazy right?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kim Exshaw, the maker behind Exshaw Quilts—a small, quilt studio in the woods of northern British Columbia. I design beginner-friendly quilt patterns and teach hand piecing and big-stitch hand quilting, with a focus on simple projects you’ll actually finish and use. Many of my fabrics are naturally dyed with indigo, so the work carries that quiet, lived-in blue and the marks of the making.
What makes my brand different is the pace and the posture: calm, clear instructions, no fancy equipment, and a lot of encouragement. I write like I’m at your kitchen table—steady guidance, honest materials, and room for imperfection.
Right now I’m building a new indigo collection and a workshop series that walks folks from first stitch to finished quilt. If you love timeless design, useful makes, and the comfort of something made by hand, you’ll feel at home with me.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve always thought of myself as an artist, a creative. I need to make beautiful things. But growing up, it was drilled into me that that wasn’t a career option, it was a hobby. I needed a “real job” if I was going to make a living. So I denied the biggest part of myself and suffered because of it. I remember driving into town one morning, daydreaming about running myself into a pole just to get out of a job I hated. I was miserable. At the time, I had a “real job” as an insurance broker.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It taught me kindness, empathy, understanding because I KNEW what it felt like to be neglected, excluded, abandoned, abused, impoverished by those around me and I never wanted others to feel that pain. There was a lot of dysfunction in my family so I had a front row seat in suffering. At the time, it was hard to see the silver lining in any of it. But as I’ve aged I can see it. It taught me who I don’t want to be and the strength to walk away from all of it.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes definitely. I’m too tired to be anyone but me lol. I think its a complete waste of energy being anything but yourself not to mention dishonest. What you see is what you get.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
When it doesn’t feel right; it feels overwhelming– too much. Recently, I was offered a HUGE opportunity from a very well known fabric company. Honestly, it was the opportunity of a life time for me. And at first I was so excited and very flattered by this offer but the more I sunk into it, the more I felt overwhelmed and corralled. Freedom is the most important this to me, especially creative freedom. I knew that I couldn’t do it. I went for walks to clear my head but the feeling lingered. I felt sick– physically, emotionally even spiritually. Eventually I broke down and sent the email thanking them for an unbelievable offer but I just couldn’t do it. At first I felt like I was committing career suicide but now I know it was the right thing to do. I’m at peace with that decision. Listen to your gut even when its scary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.exshawquilts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exshaw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exshawquilts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@exshawquilts
Image Credits
Kimberly Exshaw
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