Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Learning to Quilt


Five years ago, when Moda knocked on the door of French General and asked if I wanted to design a line of quilting fabric for them, I had no idea how immersed in the quilting world I would become!  Since then, we have designed fifteen collections of fabric for Moda - three a year - and we are still going strong!  In fact, just this week, we were nominated for Best Fabric Designer of the Year...you can vote here if you agree!  Since we design fabric, it only seems natural that over the years, I have been asked to design quilt patterns for books and articles.  Designing a quilt has been an extremely hard learning process for me - I assumed that because I could design fabric or a piece of jewelry, I could design a quilt...WRONG!  Designing a quilt is all about contrast and scale and balance - three things that must come with lot's of time and patience!   Eventually, with the help of some really talented artists and designers, we have slowly entered into the quilt pattern world - even though I have been kicking and screaming all along the way!
Then, just when I was finally getting comfortable with designing quilts, along came someone who said, "How many quilts do you make a year?"  Make?  I just figured out what I like to see in a quilt - now I have to learn to make a quilt??
Luckily for me, we have a workshop coming up at French General where I will learn to make a quilt - from beginning to end!  Grand Country Quilters are coming to French General on Saturday and Sunday, March 16th and 17th to teach a two-day class that will cover all of the basics of learning to quilt, and then some!  Everyone will leave with a finished quilt - which will be quite an accomplishment for me!  If you have always loved the idea of a beautiful quilt draped over your bed - made entirely by you - then this just might be the class for you!  All materials will be supplied - you just have to bring your own sewing machine.  Seats for  our Learning to Quilt Workshop are limited - so sign up today - and check quilting off your list of things to learn!

8 comments:

Vicky said...

I'm actually envious. I had so much fun learning to quilt that sometimes I wish I could go back and do it all over again! Enjoy every moment of the process!

Funky Kim said...

Kaari, I have loved your fabric since the first designs hit my quilt shop. And I even got to meet you in Salt Lake City for a moment! Squeee!!!

So I voted for you. Because your French design will one day live on my California king.

Rosa said...

I love your fabrics.I enjoy playing with fabrics.

Anonymous said...

love everything about your fabrics...

Sandi said...

I am obsessed with your line of fabrics. So much so that my friends believe that I need an intervention!!! I have made three queen size quilts and have another two on the go. Fabulous patterns and colours. Thank you
Sandi
sahill@telus.net

Debbie V. said...

Oh how I wish I lived closer as my goal is to make a quilt using your fabrics!
Debbie V.

glenda said...

I am soooo glad you learned to design quilting fabric! i absolutely love your fabric designs. They are so beautiful. i love everything about them.

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