Here’s a few questions that Jenny shared answers to recently…

How did you get started quilting?

I made my first quilt as a part of my Master of Fine Arts graduation show from illustrations I had drawn and printed on fabric.   

The first quilt I designed for others was a “Sewing Tools” block of the month for my quilt guild.  I turned it into my first pattern “Tool Time”.    (This is one of the patterns in the current giveaway…. leave a comment on the previous post for a chance to win this pattern and one other.)

 What prompted you to start designing patterns?

A local quilt shop owner, Toni Steere (who is now my designer partner in Wing and a Prayer Design) encouraged me to write a pattern and she told me she would sell it in her store.  I met Amy Bradley of Amy Bradley Designs and asked her a million questions about the quilting pattern business and just dove in.  I started going to Quilt Market in Minneapolis in the Spring of 2005.

What is your favorite method of quilting?

My favorite method is appliqué because I can easily translate drawing into quilts! 

What part of the quilting process do you like best?

Designing!

Can you tell us about a typical work day?

My work day is mostly composed of designing and writing directions and filling orders. I covet my sewing time because it is so little. I do make all my own samples though.

Your sports wallhangings are great… how did you come up with the idea?

My husband put the bug in my head that I needed some sports quilts. So I thought of all the kids that are in sports and I came up with a quick wall hanging that could be customized with the child’s name, team name, number
and team colors.

Where do you get your inspiration for your other designs?

I have three boys so all my “boy” patterns came from their influence!

Sounds like a family affair!  Thanks for spending some time with us Jenny, and at such a busy time, what with Quilt Market starting in a few days.  We look forward to seeing your new designs!

I’ve been “chatting” with Linda for the last week or so.  She is a creative, upbeat, friendly person.  Just the kind of company you’d want if you sat down to quilt for a while.  Join us as I ask her a few questions about her life quilting and designing patterns….

Your patterns are many and varied.  Do you have a favorite type of quilting… piecing, applique, paper piecing… or are you like a mom and ‘love them all equally’? 

That’s a tough one.  I know that many quilters and designers have a defined style or favorite type of quilting, but as you can see by looking through my designs, I enjoy a wide range of styles and techniques.  I enjoy working with both cotton and wool and I enjoy machine piecing, hand applique, fusible applique and hand embroidery.  I really like hand blanket stitching.  I’m also not afraid to use color.  When asked to name my design style, I guess my response would be playful.  Or perhaps I should call it QADDD style (quilt attention deficit design disorder).  My playful style can be seen in many of my designs, such as Peek-a-Boo Puss, Whoo’s Hanging Out, and Tag Sale,

but especially in my BFF (best friends forever) paper doll quilt pattern series.  Everyone is having so much fun with these patterns. 

The fun is not only in being able to sort through your stash for just the right fabrics but from being able to dress and re-dress the best friends using my Swap-plique technique.  My simple swap-plique technique allows you to create repositionable appliques.  All of the paper doll patterns are designed so you can swap outfits, hairdo’s and accessories between all four patterns.  They are too much fun and a real delight to make and to give to a special little girl in your life.

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

As a designer my favorite part is seeing a finished quilt or project that someone made from one of my patterns.  I enjoy inspiring others and hopefully some of my designs will inspire new quilters and crafters to become a part of this wonderful creative community.  I love sharing my enthusiasm and that’s why I am hosting a “Stitch-a-long with Linda”.  It is just beginning to get underway so I encourage everyone to join in.  The quilt that we’ll be making is going to finish at appox. 40″ x 60″.  I have the yardage requirements and my fabric picks posted. 

(You can find the “Stitch-a-long with Linda” on her blog Thistledown & Co. )

I really do enjoy all phases of designing and making a quilt – even the binding!  I do wish I had time to do more handquilting.  But I am not ready to give up sleeping.  Cleaning maybe, but not sleeping.

Quilters always like to hear about other quilters’ sewing areas.  I guess it’s our version of a ‘man-cave’…. but so much better!  Can you tell us about your studio?   

You mean at this moment – oh gosh it’s kind of messy at the moment because I am working on several things right now.

  Actually I love my studio.  I am blessed with a very sweet and supportive husband.  He agreed to the complete takeover of what was once our living room, so I could turn it into my current studio. 

Now mind you, we never used the living room much because we do our living in the family room, kitchen and out on our large deck.  we live in Florida so we use the deck a lot.  My work space consists of a long counter (from the home improvement store) with file cabinets underneath, a cutting table, an ironing table, a small drawer chest, and bookcases that house my fabric collection, etc.

 I do need to add some more overhead lighting and I want to paint one wall a bright fun color.  Other than that and the pins in the carpet hazard, it works for me. 

I have a view out the patio doors to the deck area and there are several other large windows so I can keep an eye on the butterflies and squirrels outside.

What comes first for you – the design or the fabrics?

That depends…. sometimes there may be a particular fabric that catches my eye and inspires me to design a new pattern.  Garden Terrace, Peek-a-Boo Puss and Take It or Leave It were designed around the fabric when I was designing quilts for Cranston Fabrics for Quilt Market. 

I would have to say that more often than not however, an idea for a new pattern  or product just kind of pops into my head when I least expect it.  The idea for my printable fabric CD Push-button Prints came to me in the middle of designing my Florida Album patterns.  Like that wasn’t keeping me busy enough – Hahahaha. 

Then I designed the mini quilts Lenny the Lizard and Bertie the Butterfly that use the fabrics that you can print from the CD.   My line of Earthknit patterns came after I decided to “upcycle” or repurpose my leftover batting into yarn to knit with – waste not, want not.  So there’s always something percolating in my head.

My real life BFFs also are a great source of inspiration.  We get together regularly and just talk creative, laugh, and share.  Not only do our play dates bring out my muse, they keep me centered too.  Lucky is the person that has quilters as friends.

You are so right, Linda.   There is something special about a quilter friend.   Thanks for spending some friendly time with us talking quilts!

Linda uses different materials, sizes, and techniques but the one common element seems to be the mood.  Thistledown designs are all bright, cheerful, optimistic and fun… a reflection of the designer.  Lots of them have practicality thrown in for an added bonus.   Hmmm, or are they practical with fun thrown in?  I’ll let you decide.

Among the designs are several coin catchers, such as Kitty Kit.  Each of the coin catcher kits contains all the materials you’ll need….. everything but the coins!

Dolphin Delight is one block of nine from the group of Florida Album blocks.  Instructions include both needle turn applique and fusible applique methods. Also included are the beads used to embellish the block. 

Any of the nine blocks would work as a small wall hanging or could be used to make a decorative pillow, but were designed to go together in this Florida Album Quilt.

Chocolate inspired this 4-patch quilt titled Chocolate Chips.  The colors and values used make this an eye-catching piece.  Instructions are included for three sizes: lap, twin and queen.  It makes me want to break open a box of Fannie May and dig in!  I’ll have to settle for looking at the quilt and munching on some carrot sticks.

This is just a sampling of what Thistledown & Co has to offer.  We’ll be looking at more this week and next.  We’ll be having pattern giveaways.   And don’t miss our interview with Linda.  She’ll be showing us photos of her studio and you’ll get to see who is watching her work. 

Linda is hosting a Stitch Along on her blog.  I’m going to be stitching along with her…. why don’t you join us?   Here’s the fabric requirements:

1-1/4 yards of a print focus fabric 
1/2 yard of a dark (I’m using the red)
1/4 yard of a light (I’m using the pink & white check)
1/4 yard EACH of 4 other fabrics  (I’m using an orange print, 2 greens prints and a pink dot)
Buy another 1/3 yard of one of the fabrics for your binding.
 Fabric needed for the backing is 1-3/4 yards
*There is also an optional step in this Stitch -a-long that will require another fabric that will contrast somewhat with the rest. You’ll need about 3/4 yard.
 

But be sure to visit her blog, her fabrics choices are pictured and she has suggestions about choosing your fabrics.

And she has a fantastic list of reasons to go fabric shopping!

We’ll announce our first pattern giveaway a little later today (later this morning?).  

Keep up with us on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook Page so you don’t miss anything!

Mary Herschleb is a paper piecing pattern designer with many patterns.  Beginners to advance quilters will have no trouble finding a pattern to suit.  I had the opportunity to speak with Mary recently and she graciously answered a few questions for me….

Are all your patterns for paper piecing?  Do any patterns involve applique.  “Yes, every pattern is paper pieced.  None of them include applique but there are many which have pearl cotton embellishments.

Where do you find inspiration for your projects?   “Usually from my life, my family, my surroundings.  For instance, one of my grandchildren (he’s grown now) was interested in penguins.  We looked at penquin pictures, read books about penquins, talked about penquins.  From that came CRACK THE WHIP, a group of penquins having fun on ice skates.” 

“Here’s another example - I was sitting on our deck one beautiful morning with my coffee and I could hear the loons calling – in fact they wouldn’t stop! That inspired me to create Loon Lake.

Do you have a favorite pattern?  “I really like Quilters Wash Day.  I probably had the most fun making that quilt.  It’s not the best pattern for a beginner paper piecer as there are a lot of tiny pieces, but it’s really cute.”

I agree, it IS cute!  What patterns would you recommend for a beginner?   “Tulips Spring and Tulips – Red are easy patterns.  The Pines is another easy one.  The pattern includes instructions for a small square wall hanging and for a table runner.

Can you tell us what you are working on now?  Anything new coming?  “Well, it’s not finished yet, so I’m not sure what the final piece will be, but I can tell you there will be owls involved!  It will be something easy… maybe a kitchen project or something for a baby.  We’ll see!

Okay Mary, we’ll watch for it!  Thank you for taking the time to share with us a little of your designing life.

As a fairly recent transplant from big city to wide open country, I just love the look of the Barnyard Ladies Quilt Patterns by Sue Pritt of Sweet Season Quilts.   Like the Painted Ladies and the Shop Ladies series, the Barnyard Ladies are individual quilts but they are designed to connect to form larger wallhangings.  Make just one, or connect two, three or all four to suit yourself. 

The Buggy Barn is framed by bigger than life sunflowers.  The barn itself houses an antique buggy, a “two-wheeler” and is topped by a cupula.  A collie sits patiently out front, waiting for a ride in the country.

The Quilt Loft belongs on the Barn Quilt tour with it’s star block hanging just below the peak of the barn.  A treadle machine holds a WIP while baby lambs spin their own wool.  Morning glories climb in the foreground.  Wouldn’t you just love to sew here?

It looks like the rooster is scolding the horse for even thinking about sampling the apples that sit in front of the Country Stable.  The hens are upstairs, busy chatting away instead of laying their eggs.  All this fronted by beautiful pink hollyhocks.

The Milk Shed houses more than just cows.  The barn kitty is enjoying the view from the hayloft and way up top the crows are nesting.  Geese are parading in front of the cows, and the cows are eyeing the corn, which looks about ready for harvest.

All of these quilts include regular piecing, applique and paper piecing.  The instructions are very detailed and very clear.   The barnyard scenes will come to life in front of your eyes.   You can choose the line-up you like best and you can swap the flowers amongst the barnyards.  Have fun!

When you read the name Painted Pony ‘N Quilts don’t you get a picture of colorful, fun looking quilts?  Well, you’d be right.  Sherrie Thomas’s  patterns are full of life and color.   Many of her patterns are pieced but a few have some applique.  Any skill level quilter will find a pattern to suit them.

Diamond Chain is fat quarter friendly and with pastels it’s the perfect new baby gift.  Or use bright colors to please a toddler.  With squares only, this quilt will go together fast, fast, fast! 

Shown here in soft, muted colors with a white background, Starry Sampler is made with three different blocks.  Log cabin pieces surround the star blocks and nine patches fill the background.  You might want to try a cream or beige background with golds, browns, and reds for the blocks.  A black background with bright bold colors would give you a completely different look.

Would you look at this?!  A LeMoyne Star pattern with no ‘Y’ seams!  1930′s fabrics are the perfect choice to make Stars in Granny’s Garden.  With just a wee bit of applique to finish the look, you’ll find it hard to part with this quilt once its finished.

Vintage Sampler really is a sampler…. including piecing, some applique, and six bloks with hand embroidery.  Learn new skills or just put the ones you already know to good use.  You can dig into your scrap box with this one and make a bit of a dent. 

That’s just four of the patterns offered by Painted Pony ‘N Quilts.  Check out the rest of them… there’s not a dull one in the bunch!