Freddy Moran likes to divide her life into three periods: school years, parenting years, and artist years. She graduated from Dominican College, a small liberal arts women’s college in San Rafael, California. Pottery was Freddy’s first love, and she majored in art. After graduation, she married her childhood sweetheart, Neil—they met when they were 12 and 13. Fifty-three years later, they are still boyfriend and girlfriend. Freddy and Neil raised a family of five sons. Their children’s families, including 13 grandchildren, live nearby and continue to keep her busy and fill her with joy.

Freddy has been producing her groundbreaking colorful quilts for the past 15 years. Her first quilting book, Freddy’s House, brought her fearless use of color to a wide audience and is still in demand. Freddy travels and teaches extensively, challenging quilters to break the rules and do what works best for them. She has appeared on national television programs including the DIY network. “Red is a neutral” is her quilting mantra.