‘Amazing Quilter’ shares inspiration and hope

Walking through Diane Rose’s home, a visitor will see craft and storage areas dedicated to her hobby/business of quilting. At first glance, those areas are quite similar to the project rooms of other quilters or crafters—a work table, a sewing machine, stacks of fabric, completed quilts, shelves of pattern books. Upon closer inspection, though, Diane’s quilting area has a few unique features: On one of the work tables, there’s a Braille writing machine. And on each shelf, stack, or storage tub, there’s a tag written in Braille. 

You read that right. Since 1984, Diane Rose has been totally blind. Her website name says it well, “An Amazing Quilter,” because her story is, in fact, amazing. 

Diane was born with glaucoma, her vision limited to colors and basic image outlines through one eye; she was never able to read print. Her father, however, encouraged her to work beyond those limitations, telling family and friends, “If she can do it, let her. Don’t pity her.” 

That mindset encouraged Diane to pursue college in Nashville, Tennessee, where she became involved in journalism and radio, leading to connections in the country music industry. Her excellent memory for detail of historical and entertainment venues, and how to get to them, led to her being known as the “blind tour guide” around Nashville.

In 1984, a cornea rupture led to total loss of vision. Returning to her Texas roots to adjust to the vision loss, combined with changes in the Nashville music scene, Diane determined to deepen her relationship with the Lord. During a church meeting, she received a prophetic word saying, “God is going to bless you with a talent.” She says she felt as if a special touch rested on her hands, almost like an anointing oil. 

That talent turned out to be quilting. Visiting a friend, Pat Railey, Diane became interested in a quilt on the couch and began tracing the pattern with her finger. Pat offered to teach Diane to quilt, and in August 1998, Diane began cutting her first quilt with a rotary cutter. She has now more than doubled her initial goal of 500 quilts; some reside in the homes of Nashville friends, including Dolly Parton; former President and Mrs. George W. Bush; and other notable leaders; as well as quilts in countries around the world. Her quilts are displayed in several U.S. museums including the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.   

In answer to the obvious question, “How does a blind person sew and quilt?” Diane explains that a friend helps cut the material to her description of the ideas she visualizes in her mind. Applique is her favorite technique, and she is happy to demonstrate for the curious her techniques for threading a needle, various stitches and even use of her sewing machine, although for the actual quilting, she enjoys working by hand. It takes her from one to three weeks to complete a quilt, and there are beautiful “Country Cozy Quilts” of various sizes and designs for sale on her website. She also does custom projects. Quilts are numbered and include a certificate of authenticity. She also makes smaller gift items such as bowl cozies and holiday décor. 

Diane’s move to Branson last year was a step of faith as well as the fulfillment of a long-held desire to live in the Branson area and to own a home rather than renting an apartment. Her “faith house,” as she refers to it, is located in Branson not far from Lake Taneycomo, where she enjoys backyard wildlife and appreciates her wonderful neighbors. As new friends take her to places around town, she is rapidly memorizing the roads, applying her “blind tour guide” skills to a new setting. 

Moving did create some needs for Diane, however. She is looking for a volunteer “quilt helper” to help translate her ideas into appliques by cutting the needed pieces of fabric, something a Texas friend, Emily, has done for the past 25 years. She also welcomes new contacts for donations of supplies, but says she continues to “walk by faith, not sight” as she trusts God for the right connections and provision. 

Meanwhile, Diane is moving forward with life here in the Ozarks. She is scheduled to participate in the quilt show at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri, April 23-25, where her work will be the featured Special Exhibition. She is also available to serve as a speaker for special events for civic groups, quilting clubs, churches, etc., and is currently scheduled for an upcoming Forsyth Area Chamber meeting. Another big goal is to add President Donald Trump to the list of notable owners of her quilts. She has reached out through official White House contacts, but would appreciate any personal referrals or other assistance in making that happen. 

If an “Amazing Quilter” sounds like a good fit for your group’s guest speaker needs, your home décor, or a unique gift, check out Diane’s website, www.theamazingquilter.com, or her Facebook page, or email quiltrose@prodigy.net.