Claudia has been sewing nearly all her life.  She was making her own clothes by the age of 12, so I wonder how old she was when she actually took her first stitch! 

Claudia’s patterns aren’t just for quilts.  She has several purse and bag patterns. 

I hate to pick favorites, but isn’t this just the cutest?!?!  Texture Magic gives those flowers some texture and makes them pop.  You’ll love carrying this Lizzie bag around.  

Here’s a great idea.  The Quick Change Bag pattern is for a reversible bag with a separate lining.   Pull out the lining, reverse the bag, replace the lining.  Ready to go!

And Claudia’s patterns aren’t just for cotton.  Her “Yard” patterns are table runners of beautiful flowers.  They are designed for wool, which gives a beautiful three dimensional quality to the finished piece. 

Hand embroidery and beading create additional interest on A Yard of Roses.  This quilt measures 10″ x 36″ when finished.

But, never fear, Claudia DOES have quilt patterns too.  And not boring, same old same old patterns.   Her quilt patterns are not each like the other.  Some of them are bold and graphic.

Sunflower Farm is a good example.  The design is striking, yet fairly easy to construct.  Four basic blocks and some simple applique… before you know it you’ll be snuggling under this quilt dreaming of Spring.

Ramblin’ Rose is another one of the bold, graphic designs and I’m excited to be making it over the next couple weeks…. I’ll share progress with you.

And then there are the beautiful, gently graceful quilts, such as Morning Star. 

Flowers in varying shades of purple flow across an ever so subtle pieced background.   Before adding the beads to embellish the flowers it might be fun to do a little free motion quilting on the flowers and leaves. 

So there’s a peek at a bit of what Claudia Atchison is all about. Be sure to check back with us over the next two weeks.   We’ll be posting an interview with Claudia and some pictures of where she creates, there will be progess on Ramblin’ Rose to report, we’ll look at some more patterns, and of course a giveaway!

(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.

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”.

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!