(Don’t forget! Any comment made before midnight Friday on any of our blog posts dated between Jan 14 and Jan 21 gives you another chance to win three patterns from Prairie Sky Quilting! Same goes for comments on status updates and links at our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook page!)

In this part of the interview Susan tells us about her daily life as a quilt designer.

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

I’ve come to enjoy so many parts of the quilting process as I’ve expanded into designing.  Today’s software technology has made designing quilts so much fun, and easier than the colored pencils and graph paper that I started with!  I use EQ7 for my patterns, and CorelDraw for my show quilts.  But, I love to sew, and need to do it regularly.  Sewing is how I relax and recharge, but there are never enough hours in the day to sew as much as I would like.

I so agree about there not being enough time each day to sew and I’ll bet our readers feel the same way!  Susan, can you tell us what a typical work day is like?

I began this career when my youngest child started school.  I was still a full-time mom, and I started teaching quilting on a limited basis.  My business grew gradually as I had more time to devote to designing, teaching, and eventually the pattern business.  Now I have 2 daughters in high school and a son away at college, so I’m glad to be home and available to them as needed.  I spend a lot of time on things that aren’t very creative or quilt-related, like packing orders, bookkeeping, and keeping up with emails.  My design and sewing times vary based on the demands of my current deadlines.  No two days are alike, and most days don’t go as planned.  It’s always a challenge to juggle the many responsibilities of work and home life, but I appreciate the flexibility that I have to keep the balance that works best for me.

Can you describe your studio?

I am fortunate to have a room in our basement to use as a studio.  It’s small, but it’s wonderful to have a dedicated sewing space. In my studio, I have many features that I consider to be essential for me.  My favorite sewing maching is set into a large sewing cabinet.  I have a separate cutting table and an HQ16 in a sit-down table for machine quilting.  I hung felt from a rod to make a design wall, which is an essential part of any studio.  My stash is overflowing, so I either need to stop buying fabric or get a larger sewing room.  I think I’d prefer that larger sewing room!  (Yep, that sounds like a plan!)

As my business has grown, so have the demands of maintaining inventory levels on multiple items.  Prairie Sky Quilting has taken over other parts of our house and garage.  As my kids have grown, I’ve moved toys out of the closets, and taken over that space for patterns.  But I do dream of having more room, so maybe when the kids move out, I’ll take over the whole basement!

When you are starting a new project, what comes first for you – the design or the fabrics?

I usually start with the design, then look for the fabrics that work best for that design.  Finding the right fabrics can be very challenging, especially finding the right combination that will photograph well for a pattern cover.  My stash is evidence that my original plan doesn’t always work, and I need to revise the plan and buy more fabric.  When choosing fabrics, I often start with a focus fabric, and pick colors to coordinate with that.

Do you have favorite types of fabrics?

I tend to like more contemporary fabrics and vibrant colors.  As a pattern designer, I try to use a variety of styles that might appeal to a wider audience of quilters, so that challenges me to stretch my comfort zone.  But it always has to be something that I like, because I can’t do my best work if I’m not enjoying the project.

Thanks for sharing with us Susan! 

Recently Susan Nelson, the designer of Prairie Sky Quilting‘s patterns, answered a few questions for our inquiring minds. 

How did you start your adventure with quilting?  Did someone mentor you or influence you?

I started sewing at 10 years old, making garments.  I went on to do tailoring and alterations during college, while I majored in Textiles & Clothing.  Several years later, my first quilt was a Trip Around The World design, made for a full size bed.  With my sewing background, I was confident in being a self-taught quilter.  Looking back, it think that was not a good decision, and I should have taken classes!  I traced 2″ squares around a cardboard template and cut them out with scissors.  (Having started my quilting endeavors with all the latest tools I can’t imagine making any quilt with cardboard templates and scissors.  And then to think you tackled a full size Trip Around The World!  You are brave!)  It’s no surprise that after that experience it was a few years until I got back into quilting.  Like so many quilters, I was motivated by the birth of my first child, since every baby needs a quilt!  I made a smaller version of the Trip Around The World design.  And this time, used a rotary cutter and strip piecing.  I have been hooked on quilting ever since then.

There is no one in my family who quilted, and I’m still the only one!  I have two daughters who aren’t interested in sewing or quilting, but maybe they will change their minds someday!    

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that someday your daughters will share your passion.  It will probably coincide with the births of your grandchildren!   So you were hooked on quilting…. what prompted you to start designing patterns?

I was teaching at a local quilt shop, and was asked to teach a quilt-as-you-go technique.  That particular method made beautiful quilts, but was very challenging for most quilters.  I saw the appeal that quilt-as-you-go had for my students, and wondered if I could find an easier way.  So, I experimented with some scraps for a while, and came up with an easy method.  I showed it to the shop and other friends, and no one knew of anything similiar on the market.  I named the method “Fun&Don!”, started teaching it at the shop, and went into the pattern business!

Do you have a favorite type of quilting?

One of the most appealing features of this art is its variety.  I started quilting knowing that I would never be interested in hand work, but I soon changed my mind and became interested in hand applique.  Now, I’m looking for a hand-piecing  project that I can take with me on-the-go.  I love classic piecing, paper piecing, hand applique, machine applique, and machine quilting.  There’s always something new to learn, so it’s always interesting and fun!  For my patterns, I look for easy methods that appeal to beginner quilters. But I also make quilts that I enter into contests, where I push myself to do very complicated pieces.  I enjoy the challenge, and it’s been very rewarding to win a few prizes too!

This is Swish & Swirl, one of Susan’s show quilts.  You can see the rest of her quilts on her website – check out the Susan’s Show Quilts page.    They are all stunning.

Come back in a day or two for the second half of Susan’s interview.  She has lots more to say!  And don’t forget to comment on this post for another chance to win three Prairie Sky Quilting patterns!   Read more about the giveaway at this post.

Three great patterns…

Fun & Done! Quilting Easy Diamonds Pattern is rated for beginners so it works for everyone. If you are more experienced this will be even quicker and more fun.   Try out this easy technique that yields a quilted project when the piecing done.  Bind the Fun & Done! way and you are finished!  I can see this pattern in different shades of one color with black or white sashing… a great visual impact.

Triple Expresso Hop, Skip & Jump quilt pattern gives you so many options.  Just three different blocks – the same three different blocks if that makes sense :)  – give three completely different layout looks.  And as if that’s not enough, there are instructions for five different sizes: crib, lap, twin, queen and king. 

The Eye Catcher, also known as the Spectacle Receptacle, will hold your glasses so you know right where to find them.  I need one of these. I spend (waste) so much time looking for mine!  This would make a great gift too.  Your rotary cutter or tv remote would also fit nicely in one of these.

So, do you want these three patterns?  You have until next Friday (January 21st) at 12:00 midnight (central time) to leave comments.  A winner will be selected with a random number generator.  One person will win all three patterns.

Leave a comment (just one!) on this post.  And for more chances to win, leave a comment on any other post made between now and next Friday.  That’s right, each time you see a new post on our blog, leave a comment and you have another chance to win.  Any comment on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook posts (between today and next Friday) will also give you another chance to win.  So let’s hear from you!

• only one comment per post
• only comment on posts dated between Jan 14 and Jan 21
• US residents only

This is my first Fun & Done project.  I can’t believe I waited so long to try one of these.  The pattern comes with instructions for several sizes.  Just to get started and for some quick gratification, I’m going to make the table runner.   Fun & Done! Quilting Chit Chat is ranked as a beginner pattern.  If you are trying to choose a pattern you will find a ranking on the Prairie Sky Quilting FAQ page.  Susan also talks there about the Batting Buddy, a helpful template set that will make a fast project even faster.

The fabrics first selected for this project included a full yard of medium for the block background, but that’s been changed.  We’re going for a scrappy look by using four different mediums for the block background.  The combination of Thimbleberries and Jo Morton creams and browns should make the table runner just right for fall and winter use.

 The first step was to sew these pieces. Done.  Believe it or not, the next sewing step is also a quilting step. Back to the sewing room… updates soon!

Our next post will be a giveaway post.  Stay tuned!

Prairie Sky Quilting is the home of innovative quilt patterns by Susan Nelson.  We’re going to be talking about Prairie Sky Quilting and Susan Nelson this week and next week.  There will be a giveaway.  An interview with Susan will be posted.  And you can “watch” one of the FUN & DONE! quilt patterns be put together!  So check back often!

The Fun & Done series is a group of patterns that feature a quilt-as-you-go technique.  As you sew the blocks you are also doing the quilting.  Sew the blocks together and you are done!  Fun & Done!  Each design offers instructions for several sizes.   Wouldn’t it be nice to make this Blooming Blossoms Quilt Pattern and be finished quilting when you finish putting the blocks together?!

The Triple Expresso series celebrates layout options.  Do you remember the first time you spread out all your blocks for a quilt and tried to decide what layout you preferred?  Were you amazed at the different options and results?  Triple Expresso patterns expand on that fun.   You’ll make three simple blocks and chose from three very different layouts.  It’s hard to believe the different looks all originate from the same three blocks.  The pattern above is called “Here There & Everywhere“.  Isn’t it amazing that these different looks all come from the same three blocks?!

Have you made any of Prairie Sky Quilting’s patterns?  Post pics of your quilts on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook page so we can oooh and ahhh.  Everybody likes “show & tell”.

Are you familiar with our Bargain Bin?  Well, it has been expanded! There’s just too much for one bin…. now there are two!   And they are sooooo easy to get to.  The red bar at the top of every QuiltersWarehouse page has a Bargain Bin button at the right side.  Click, go, and save!

One bin holds lots and lots of discounted patterns.  These are here in limited quantites and when they are gone, they are gone!   Items in here will change but you will always find a large variety of patterns… large quilts, wallhangings, table toppers, wool penny rugs.  You may also find books and even a few kits!  Talk about bargains!

The other bin holds lots and lots of discounted fabric.   All for $1.99 or less per Fat Quarter!  There are all kinds of fabrics… large prints and small, textured looks, tone on tones, flannel, 30′s, kid’s prints, panels.   Limited quantites left so get them while you can!

These savings are available all the time, but this weekend you can also take advantage of our Facebook First Friday deal.  Head on over to our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook Page  to find a code for an extra 5% discount off any purchase from our new expanded Bargain Bin.  Hurry!