adventures book tour: Double Diamond Wedding Ring

QUILTER: Andrea Munro

QUILT: Double Diamond Wedding Ring

Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you? 

I am a stay at home mom of 4 and wife of 1.  I bought my longarm in 2015 and knew right away that I wanted to pursue custom quilting. It started out as a personal pursuit and has organically turned into something that I do for others as well.  I’ve also started teaching and am pretty excited about that!

Something that people may not already know about me is that I took up playing piano again this past year after literally not touching a piano for 20 years.  It was a lot of work on top of quilting, homeschooling, and life in general, but I was able to take my Grade 6 RCM exam in June so I was really excited to have been able to accomplish that.  A fun fact about me is that I don’t drink coffee – or any caffeine – which sometimes makes me feel super boring; but it’s just something I never started and now I stay away for health reasons…..

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?

Sure!  First of all, I like to see if there is a way that I can add any secondary designs to the quilt top.  Secondary design quilting is probably one of my favourite type of quilting designs to do. I define Secondary Design quilting as any design that is not obviously intended by the piecing.  When you add this type of quilting to a quilt top you are able to showcase the quilting without taking any attention away form the piecing. So that’s my preference – obviously it’s not always going to work for each quilt top, but that’s sort of the technique I used on the Double Diamond Wedding Ring.

When I’m working on my personal quilts I typically work backwards and choose a quilt pattern that I know I can add the quilting designs I want onto it rather than make a quilt top and try and fit certain quilting elements onto it. So I choose what I’m going to piece with how I’m going to quilt it already in mind. When a customer sends me a quilt I look to see if the piecing creates any secondary shapes.

With the Double Diamond Wedding Ring there weren’t any secondary shapes that popped out at me so I went ahead and created my own by adding the chevron stripes that run through the quilt.

                 

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design? 

I loved the beautiful colours used in the piecing and knew that I didn’t want to detract from that so I chose to match my thread colour to the piecing. Also, some of the prints are busier than others so I chose to do less complicated designs on the busier prints where you can’t see them easily anyway and focus my time and energy where the quilting would be seen.  I also like to double batt all of my custom quilting projects.  I makes the quilting really ‘pop’ and gives almost a trapunto like effect.

Were there other ideas that came to mind? Are there any alternative quilting schemes you’d care to share? 

I didn’t save my sketches – which are somewhat notoriously ‘rough’.  Let’s just say my quilting skill doesn’t translate to pen & paper.  I always preface my quilting plan with a client with, “Now don’t be scared…….it will look much better than this once I quilt this out.”

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?

I am a visual and hands on learner – so if you can take a hands on class that would be the ultimate best way to learn (IMO). I know it can be intimidating, but so worth it.  I took my first long arm class before I even had my long arm and was so scared to operate the long arm in front of the other ladies who were already quilters, but nobody laughed or threw things at me so it all worked out in the end!  I guess the second best after that would be an online class like Craftsy or something like that – those are a great resource as well since you can watch them over and over again.

What machine do you quilt on?

I quilt on an APQS Millennium (and I love her!)

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)

For now I am on Instagram and FB as Practical Dazzle.

adventures book tour: Fireflies

QUILTER: Rachael Dorr
QUILT: Fireflies

Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you? 
I'm a British import, a mother of 3 young kids, 2 dogs and 2 bunnies. 

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?
I keep everything the quilt owner wants in mind. We talk about what the quilt is for and what sort of effect they want - and then I do everything in my power to make that happen for them. You can add a lot of things by the way you quilt something - from the batting you use to type and color of thread.

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design?
Well you said you wanted the bums to glow!!! ...... so I decided how I was going to make that happen first (thread graduation in rings & a touch of metallic thread.) They are fireflies and typically you would see them at dusk in a garden so I started with some leaves/foliage at the top (feathers.) And then I just played. I love to play in negative space - so from a distance you can't really see anything but the quilt design but up-close there is a whole other layer to the piece. My biggest love is texture - and I love the way free motion quilting can make this happen. 

Were there other ideas that came to mind? 
Probably but it was such a long time ago I but can't remember!! 

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?
Gosh - I think all these choices are so personal. I think free motion quilting can be quite daunting especially when we have a big quilt in front of us - but it isn't as scary as it seems it will never get easier if you don't practice. Think about how long it took you to learn to write and how much effort and practice you put in as a child - it requires the same amount of regular practice - so my advice would be just to do it - by the time you have finished your first quilt you will be 99% better than when you started. Choose a neutral thread that blends into your quilt top to start - and just go for it. 
To work out design ideas I take a photograph of the quilt top, photocopy it and play with designs by drawing on the photocopy. By the 4 or 5th run you usually have a clear plan. It also helps you work out anything that definitely does NOT work! Because unpicking sucks - and you want to avoid that!!!!

Every quilting design is a lot less complicated than it may seem - 99.9% of all designs are constructed from 5 basic shapes that we use everyday in our writing or sketching - a straight line, an arc, a loop, an s shape and a hook - you can make literally 100's of patterns out of just one of these elements - imagine how many patterns you can make is you combine two or more.

You can change the look of a simple design by playing with scale (think tiny pebbles to big happy circles) or direction (lines are great for playing with direction) or by combining elements or by play with spacing. 

Resource wise if you are lost for ideas - Angela Walters, Christina Cameli and some of Leah Day's designs are great places to find beginner ideas and clear instructions/tutorials. When you are feeling more confident you can start trying Leah Day's more complex designs motifs. Krista Withers, Judi Maden, Karen McTavish and LuAnn Kessi all have amazing design ideas you can get a lot of inspiration from. Pinterest is an endless resource of ideas too and I love 2nd hand books too.

What machine do you quilt on?
I have a 12 year old Bernina and a Handiquilter Fusion - I can not tell you how much I love both these machines.

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)
Best way to follow my work is to follow me on instagram @rachaeldorr

adventures book tour: Folksy Friends

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

QUILTER: Kathleen Riggins
QUILT: Folksy Friends

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you?
I’ve been sewing since I was 3 years old, and have considered myself a “quilter”since I was 14. I live in Alberta Canada, where I work in my families quilt shop as well as longarm quilting in my supposed spare time, as well as traveling to teach free motion quilting. Something you might not know about me… I haven’t worn matching socks since I was in elementary school. 

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?
Basically…when a customer want’s me to quilt for them, that’s the last decision they make :D I get to decide everything, from design to thread to whatever else. There are two pricing options, one for single thread, and one for changing thread colours. I don’t give my customers a lot of choice. 

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design?

I wanted the octopus to be the focal part of the quilt, so I used the diamond in the quilting to emphasize him. 

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Sarah had mentioned another quilt that I had done that was a particular favourite, so I was inspired from that quilt to use different designs in each piece of background fabric. I also matched thread very specifically to each background- I think I used more than 10 different cream coloured threads in this quilt.

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Were there other ideas that came to mind? Are there any alternative quilting schemes you’d care to share?

I really didn’t have any other plans :D I tend to go with the first thing I think of.

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?

Just do it! You can practice forever, but until you do a quilt, you hit a plateau. As well, breaking the background into each different piece helps, as you don’t have to be scared by a giant negative space, rather just fill in each little square.

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

What machine do you quilt on?
I have an APQS Lucey. 

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)
Instagram @kathleenquilts, or kathleenquilts.com!

Photo by C&T Publishing

adventures book tour: Prickly Path

QUILTER: Angela Walters
QUILT: Prickly Path

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you?

I live in a rural community and have a bunch of kids....and by that I mean goats!! I love how cute they are, they are a great stress relief!! 

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?

I like to know what the customer loves most about their quilt. Is it the pattern, the fabric choices, or the quilting they want to be highlighted the most?

Photo by Eric Lubrick (ericlubrick.com)

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design?

I loved all of the negative space in this quilt to really allow my imagination to take over! I thought the different quilting in each white space really highlighted the beauty of this pattern!

Were there other ideas that came to mind? Are there any alternative quilting schemes you’d care to share?

Not really! LOL!! 

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?I would say to draw out your designs first and plan where you are going to go before you are going there. I love to take a picture on my phone and then use an app on my phone to audition different designs in the spaces. You could also print out a picture of your quilt top and try drawing out different designs. 

What machine do you quilt on?

I use a Handi Quilter Avante! I just love my longarm!! 

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)

You can find me on Quiltingismytherapy.com. I am also on Instagram as @Angelafmq and Facebook at Machine Quilting by Angela

Photo by C&T Publishing

adventures book tour: Snooze

 Karlee Porter is amazingly talented. 'Nuff said.

QUILTER: Karlee Porter
QUILT: Snooze


Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you?
I am a Native Utahn, Wife of almost 10 years, and a mother of One. I am an absolute quilting fiend and just tolerate all the other parts of the process of quilt making- which is why most of my quilts are whole-cloth. I don’t mind piecing or binding, but for me, quilting is where the magic happens. Some random things you may not know about me, in no particular order:

I am an avid Stand-Up Paddleboarder. I love to be outside in the sun. I am also a passionate hand-letterer and writer. I can put my foot behind my head and my fingers are double-jointed. I am exceptionally good at writing raps, but I don’t really enjoy rap music. I get way too much satisfaction when putting things in rainbow order, and in another life, I would be a professional dog trainer. Thats probably enough things that you wouldn’t expect from me… haha.

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?
The very first thing I consider is the client's desires. Some clients know EXACTLY what they want, and just need me to be the vessel that executes it (which I love) and other clients put quite a bit of faith in my quilting intuition. I love making the quilting process a collaboration for the quilt top maker, because after all, they are more important than I am. I also try to be mindful to HOW the quilt will be used, because in that case- density is everything. For “Snooze”, I really just loved this process because I truly feel like it encapsulated a true collaboration between Sarah and me. I love that she wants me to let my quilting work shine, but in a way that compliments HER design work so gracefully. It’s funny, because growing up (and even still) I consider myself a pretty solid Alto singer. Not great on my own, but when backing up the right soprano, can bring tears to your eyes. I love being the solid wingman when I quilt, and I just feel like Sarah and I jive so well when combining our aesthetics into a cohesive quilt. Sarah, I’ll back you up any day.

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design?
The goal with “Snooze” was to really accentuate the piecing design that was already there. We had a very deliberate conversation about wether or not I would quilt clock hands into this piece, and decided against it because we agreed that the theme of the quilt was about losing track of time. I loved that I got to accentuate the clock face with Graffiti Quilting going outward, but only 2 rows worth. I think that was a smart decision because again, it kept the focus on the Z’s- which are the star of the quilt.

Were there other ideas that came to mind? Are there any alternative quilting schemes you’d care to share? (can include drawings/sketches or just descriptions)
Like I stated above, we toyed with the idea of making it look more like an actual, illustrative clock. I am glad we didn’t. I feel like this quilt turned out exactly how it needed to be. I also want to point out that through this process, as I would draw various quilting suggestions and send them to Sarah, sometimes we both just knew when things were off the mark, and it was so easy to correct them without any weird tension. I think for me, it makes me appreciate her work even more, just because she is such a phenomenal human being.

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?
Tips:
-Don’t be too hard on yourself.
-Don’t feel like you have to keep your quilt the same orientation the whole time. This is a circular design, if you need to rotate your fabric to feel comfortable, do it!
-If you are super worried about your quilting skills, perhaps try quilting something similar to this, but with blending thread.
Resources:
-Pick up my best-selling Free-motion quilting technique book “Graffiti Quilting”.

What machine do you quilt on?I have a few different quilting machines that I use, depending on the project that I am working on. My entire quilting machine line-up is Handi Quilter, and this particular quilt was done on my HQ Infinity 26” Longarm

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)
Blog: www.KarleePorter.com
IG: @karleeporterdesign
Facebook: Karlee Porter Design

#adventuresbooktour

Adventures in Paper Piecing & Design

January 7 – 26, 2019

Monday January 7 - Plant Lady

Heather Givans (@crimsontate | crimsontate.com)

Featured Quilter: Marion McClellan (@myquiltdiet)

Tuesday January 8 - Graffiti FPP

Sarah Sharp (@nohatsquilts | nohatsinthehouse.com)

Wednesday January 9 - Design Prompt No. 1 - Learning by the Letter

Giuseppe Ribaudo (aka Giucy Giuce) (@giucy_giuce)

Thursday January 10 - Snooze

Amanda Castor (@materialgirlquilts | materialgirlquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Karlee Porter (@karleeporterdesign)

Friday January 11 - Design Prompt No. 2 - Traditional with a Twist

Katy Cameron (@the_littlest_thistle | the-littlest-thistle.com)

Saturday January 12 - Prickly Path

Anneliese Johnson (@eyecandyquilts | eyecandyquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Angela Walters (@angelafmq)

Featured Fabric Designer: Alison Glass (@alisonglass)

Monday January 14 - Design Prompt No. 3 - Objects

Alison Robins (@littleislandquilting)

Tuesday January 15 - Voodoo Feathers

Jennifer Sampou (@jennifersampou | jennifersampou.com)

Wednesday January 16 - Design Prompt No. 4 - Creatures

Anne Sullivan (@playcrafts | play-crafts.com)

Thursday January 17 - Folksy Friends

Raquel Olivo (@raquelsews)

Featured Quilter: Kathleen Riggins (@kathleenquilts)

Friday January 18 - Design Prompt No. 5 - Think Outside the (Square) Block

Cath Hall (@wombatquilts | wombatquilts.com)

Saturday January 19 - Fireflies

Sarah Lauzon (@cera.bee | sarahjlauzon.com)

Featured Quilter: Rachael Dorr (@rachaeldorr)

Sunday January 20 - Sunday Book Review!

Sarah Ashford (@sarahashfordstudio)

Tuesday January 22 - Design Prompt No. 6 - Repeat Designs

Allison Dutton (@allisonsews | allison-sews.blogspot.com)

Wednesday January 23 - Jungleview

Merran Fryer (@123bluejumper)

Thursday January 24 - Design Prompt No. 7 - Single Foundation Paper Piecing

Jamie Swanson (@jamiemswansonquilts)

Friday January 25 - Double Diamond Wedding Ring

Elisabeth Hardy (@elisabew | elisabewquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Andrea Munro (@practicaldazzle)

Saturday January 26 – Recap and Photography

Sarah Sharp (@nohatsquilts | nohatsinthehouse.com)

Eric Lubrick (@ericlubrick | ericlubrick.com)

adventures book tour: Plant Lady

The book tour kicks off today with Heather Givans, so be sure to visit her (@crimsontate | crimsontate.com) to see what plant-inspired goodness she's working on!

In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to feature mini-interviews throughout the tour with each of the six brilliant quilters who quilted tops for the book.

Photo: Eric Lubrick

First up? Marion McClellan (aka @MyQuiltDiet), who quilted Plant Lady (aka THE COVER QUILT!)

Photo: C&T Publishing

QUILTER: Marion McClellan
QUILT: Plant Lady

Tell us about yourself! What’s something people might not expect (or already know) about you?
My name is Marion Ford McClellan.  I was named after my amazing grandmother.  I started longarm quilting in May of 2015.  I come from a whole family of artists.  I had wondered my whole life where my inner artist was.  I found her the day I started longarm quilting.

Can you provide some background on how you approach quilting customer quilts generally? What types of things do you typically consider?
When I quilt for a customer, I ask them to show me things I have done that they like.  Most importantly, I ask them to share any quilting motifs that they don't like.  Knowing what they do not like, is the most important thing.

What influenced your quilting choices for this particular design?
In any quilt, knowing what the "star" of the quilt is, is key.  For this quilt, it was obviously the plants.  I needed to chose motifs that lended to the beauty of the focus of the piece.  I chose to make the "shelves" all of the same.  I chose dense quilting for behind the plants to make them pop.  I kept the quilting sparce on the actual plants so they would appear to pop off of the quilt and really stand out.  The trick with quilting, is that it is meant to enhance the artistry of the designer, not take over the design.

Any specific tips or resources for our readers who might be struggling with how to quilt this (or other) designs?
It is always best to focus on motifs that you do well and then gradually build on them.  If you are really good at stippling, then fool around with the size of the stipple. Once you are feeling confident in the stipple, add some loops.  Most quilting motifs build on eachother.  As you gain more experience, you will be able to add in new motifs.

What machine do you quilt on?
I quilt on a Gammill 30" 

How can our readers keep up with you on social media? (website, blog, instagram, etc.)
Instagram: @MyQuiltDiet  
Blog: myquiltdiet.blogspot.com

Photo: Eric Lubrick

#adventuresbooktour

Adventures in Paper Piecing & Design

January 7 – 26, 2019

Monday January 7 - Plant Lady

Heather Givans (@crimsontate | crimsontate.com)

Featured Quilter: Marion McClellan (@myquiltdiet)

Tuesday January 8 - Graffiti FPP

Sarah Sharp (@nohatsquilts | nohatsinthehouse.com)

Wednesday January 9 - Design Prompt No. 1 - Learning by the Letter

Giuseppe Ribaudo (aka Giucy Giuce) (@giucy_giuce)

Thursday January 10 - Snooze

Amanda Castor (@materialgirlquilts | materialgirlquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Karlee Porter (@karleeporterdesign)

Friday January 11 - Design Prompt No. 2 - Traditional with a Twist

Katy Cameron (@the_littlest_thistle | the-littlest-thistle.com)

Saturday January 12 - Prickly Path

Anneliese Johnson (@eyecandyquilts | eyecandyquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Angela Walters (@angelafmq)

Featured Fabric Designer: Alison Glass (@alisonglass)

Monday January 14 - Design Prompt No. 3 - Objects

Alison Robins (@littleislandquilting)

Tuesday January 15 - Voodoo Feathers

Jennifer Sampou (@jennifersampou | jennifersampou.com)

Wednesday January 16 - Design Prompt No. 4 - Creatures

Anne Sullivan (@playcrafts | play-crafts.com)

Thursday January 17 - Folksy Friends

Raquel Olivo (@raquelsews)

Featured Quilter: Kathleen Riggins (@kathleenquilts)

Friday January 18 - Design Prompt No. 5 - Think Outside the (Square) Block

Cath Hall (@wombatquilts | wombatquilts.com)

Saturday January 19 - Fireflies

Sarah Lauzon (@cera.bee | sarahjlauzon.com)

Featured Quilter: Rachael Dorr (@rachaeldorr)

Sunday January 20 - Sunday Book Review!

Sarah Ashford (@sarahashfordstudio)

Tuesday January 22 - Design Prompt No. 6 - Repeat Designs

Allison Dutton (@allisonsews | allison-sews.blogspot.com)

Wednesday January 23 - Jungleview

Merran Fryer (@123bluejumper)

Thursday January 24 - Design Prompt No. 7 - Single Foundation Paper Piecing

Jamie Swanson (@jamiemswansonquilts)

Friday January 25 - Double Diamond Wedding Ring

Elisabeth Hardy (@elisabew | elisabewquilts.com)

Featured Quilter: Andrea Munro (@practicaldazzle)

Saturday January 26 – Recap and Photography

Sarah Sharp (@nohatsquilts | nohatsinthehouse.com)

Eric Lubrick (@ericlubrick | ericlubrick.com)

Photo: Eric Lubrick