My Journey

I have worked on the water my entire career.  I have been a Lobsterman, a marine construction worker, a fishing boat captain, and a member of Moran Towing.  My love and knowledge of the ocean has always impacted my career and career dreams until my daughter Raegan was born in 2010. 

At age three my wife and I began to notice that Raegan was a very active child who had a hard time sitting still and sleeping.  Raegan was diagnosed with ADHD.  As our family worked together with Raegan’s physician, a weighted blanket was suggested as an option to help support Raegan sleeping through the night.  We ordered several blankets online and were disappointed each time.  The blanket worked well for Raegan for a night or two and then they would lose their original shape and weight.  The blankets were not heavy enough; fell apart after a couple washes; or the filling shifted to one end of the blanket.  

I bought my first sewing machine and set out to make something that would stand the test of time and support Raegan.  My quilting journey/career was born.  I discovered that I loved interpreting designs, choosing the fabrics, testing the sewing machine’s limit, and constructing a well made product!  A full size thirteen pound quilt was where this all started!  

As family and friends visited they were interested in the quilt and our families journey.  I began to be contacted by family and friends to create heavy quilts for them.  My story continued to be shared by my customers.  I began being commissioned to make heavy quilts and other types of quilts.  In addition to heavy quilts, I have made:  baby quilts; quilts to commemorate breast cancer; quilts to celebrate chickens; Bruins quilts; t-shirt quilts and more.  

As I perfected my craft as a quilter, I decided to add to my experience with experimenting with different types of materials. I explored sewing canvas, duck material, wax canvas, clear vinyl, vinyl, and velcro. Experience with these materials has lead to repairing and creating boat enclosures, skiff covers, utility bags, and recovering & patching boat cushions. Now Raegan is my apprentice from time to time!

Fast forward to today and I have launched my own business.  I am Captain Heavy Quilts and Captain Heavy Stitch.

Arthur Allison

thecaptain@captainheavyquilts.com