A Blueberry Welcome - April 2021
It’s a rainy day as I sit at the kitchen table and ponder what to write for my first blog post. I have just finished my first year of running this little business of designing and selling patterns.
Wouldn’t you know it, but 2020 may not have been the ideal year to start on such an adventure. However, this venture was in the works for a bit and I determined that the best thing to do was just to start my small business. Thankfully, I did…just two months before the pandemic hit and we were thrown into lockdown. Sewing does require one to stay in the studio for large chunks of time, so it’s all very good!
In my Debut Collection, you will see a variety of quilt patterns. Offerings of baby quilts, lap quilts, table toppers, table runners and a queen size quilt give you a full range of quilt patterns to choose from. And there’s even a free quilt pattern!
Some sample quilts were made for birthday gifts, baby gifts and wedding gifts. There is no limit when it comes to gift ideas. Those who love French General fabrics will notice I do too! And, if there are any Tilda lovers out there, I have you covered with interesting ways to use that fabric. I love any fabric collection that lends itself to fussy cutting. You will see that all the Diamond Point patterns feature beautiful aspects of the fabrics used because of the fussy cutting pieces.
I try to do a range of patterns that will be good for beginners all the way to those more experienced. Most of the Debut Collection quilt patterns fall in the intermediate range. I look forward to working out this year’s plan for more patterns to be available in the beginner range, and being fat quarter friendly.
My 2021 Inspired Collection of quilt patterns will focus more on the designers behind the beautiful fabrics we all get to create with in our homes. I am a fabric first kind of designer. I will pull fabrics together and audition them often for days as I let the designs, textures and colours stir up my creative juices. I like to get into the details of the prints and discover what the designer may have had in mind for his or her design work. A feature print is often where I like to begin and I let it challenge me to make it a focus of a new design.
I have begun this new year using the beautiful Tilda fabrics in the Woodland Collection to create “Frosty Woodland Paths”. Tone Finnanger, the designer/owner of Tilda, is a master at her skill. I just love her little catch phrase “Perfectly Imperfect”. That is what designing, creating, sewing, and quilting is all about! I think her fabrics are absolutely inspiring to work with! Watch for new quilt designs to come using more Tilda Collections!
In the works is a unique EPP (English Paper Piecing) design with feature prints by Tula Pink. I cannot wait to show you!
On April 14, I have the privilege to be involved in a Fabric Tour. I have had the luxury of working with advanced fabrics from Poppie Cotton and I will be featuring the collection “Kaisley Rose” by Poppie Cotton. Co-owners, Lori Wood and Jina Barney are producing exceptional fabric designs and they inspire me in new creative ways. I have been exploring ways to incorporate curved features in quilt designs without too much difficulty in construction. “Along the Fence Rows” incorporates gentle curves using a technique that is surprisingly simple. This pattern (fat quarter friendly) will launch on the 14th. I hope you explore my version of this simple curve technique with me! Poppie Cotton has a great palette of colours that I have been so excited to work with. When I was first introduced to these amazing ladies at Quilt Market in 2018, what I was drawn to was their wonderful personalities. Those personalities are reflected in their designs and soft colour palettes, especially the pinks and yellows..…in my opinion! Already then, I just knew I had to make an excuse to make a quilt, or two, or more using Poppie Cotton. So this is a dream come true! The more I work with Poppie Cotton, the more ideas come to mind. The possibilities are endless!
I hope you join me and many others on the Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour! Exciting times! Special thanks to Lori Wood and Jina Barney for allowing me this amazing opportunity.
Let the creating, sewing and quilting begin!