About Me
Hi, I’m Christine Myers - the 4 AM insomniac behind Early Bird Quilts. I grew up in the Seattle area and now live in Utah, where I share my home with two very spoiled cats and more houseplants than I can even count.
Inspired by the gorgeous handiwork of my grandmother (who was a master quilter), I designed and made my first quilt when I was just eighteen years old, armed with nothing but a bit of autistic hyperfocusing, my mom’s sewing machine, and whatever information I could find on the internet back in 2002. Although my first quilt was far from perfect, and for many years my sewing was sporadic at best, I always loved the idea of creating beautiful things that are also cozy and useful.
Quilting became more important after chronic illness changed my life’s direction in 2021. When my health issues ended my ten-year career as a family medicine PA and robbed me of hobbies I adored - like gardening, road-tripping, and playing my bassoon in community orchestras - I had to completely redefine my identity and my sense of purpose. I now think of my personal mission as creating and curating beauty within my sphere, and offering kindness and encouragement wherever I can.
Being highly ambitious by nature, my significant physical limitations are endlessly frustrating to me. Early Bird Quilts emerged at the intersection between my aspirations and abilities: it is a creative outlet that is still accessible to me, and the cheerful nature of my patterns is a deliberate protest against the challenges of my day-to-day life. And if I can make someone else smile by sharing my designs with the world, then that is exactly everything that I am hoping to achieve.
PS - I’m radical left liberal scum, for anyone curious. ;)
What is ME/CFS?
The most devastating illness you’ve never heard of.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects how the body makes and uses energy. Its most defining symptom is post-exertional malaise — when even small amounts of activity can cause a major worsening of fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that can last for days or longer. People with ME/CFS often deal with extreme exhaustion, body pain, dizziness, “brain fog,” poor sleep, and sensitivity to light or sound. The condition is usually long-lasting and can slowly worsen over time. There’s no known cure yet, and because many doctors aren’t well-trained to recognize it, ME/CFS is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. For many of us living with it, the impact is life-changing and deeply disabling.
Overview
I developed ME/CFS in 2015 after a mild viral illness, though it took years (and a helpful suggestion from a stranger online) to finally get the right diagnosis. For a long time, I kept pushing through — working as a family medicine PA and trying to live normally — until my health made that impossible. By 2021, I had to step away from my career and many parts of the life I loved, including the home I built, the friends I saw often, and the freedom to travel or hike on a whim. It’s been a hard road, but also one that’s taught me to slow down, notice beauty in small moments, and pour my limited energy into things that bring comfort and joy. Quilting, designing, and building community have become not just creative outlets, but lifelines that help me stay connected to meaning and hope.
My Experience
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Clear, research-based overviews of ME/CFS, its symptoms, causes, and management strategies.
Bateman Horne Center — A leading U.S. clinical and research center focused on ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and related complex chronic illnesses, offering patient education and treatment guidance.
UK ME Association — One of the largest ME/CFS charities in the United Kingdom, providing patient support, advocacy, and accessible medical information for people with ME worldwide.
Open Medicine Foundation (OMF) — An international nonprofit accelerating collaborative biomedical research into ME/CFS and related post-viral diseases, including Long COVID.
Solve M.E. Initiative — Nonprofit dedicated to funding research, raising awareness, and supporting patients affected by ME/CFS and related diseases.
For More Information