Hello again my quilting friends! I am off again for summer and so happy to have time to work at a slower pace. I always have such big plans for my 6 weeks off: clean out everyting, reorganize, create new patterns, sew like crazy. What I find, and this may be getting older, is that I do some things but my pace is a lot slower. I find at the end of the day that I didn't finish that checklist I created in the morning. Sure, there are a few things checked, but not all that I intended. This makes me anxious as I see the return to work date approaching much more quickly than I would like. No one wants to waste time, but I am finding I may need to let up on my expectations.
After the most brutal and hardest year in education to date (and I have been doing this for a long time), I am finding that I am just tired. I am catching up on many doctors appointments, tests, and procedures that I could not find the time to do during the school year. Everyone says, "You need to rest," but what does that mean? I am letting my body sleep as long as it would like (and learning about how much sleep I really need), but beyond that what is it? Is it laying on the couch binging a series on Netflix? Maybe. Is it reading a book? This may also be. But for me, my love is fussing with fabric and designs. I also enjoy cooking dinner and dining with my husband. Also in the mix, I am working on adulting by tending to the many doctor and dentist appointments that were not given the proper attention during the school year. So, I am focusing on doing what makes me happy and healthy. For me this is rest. I am being purposeful in each thing I do, be it work or relaxing.
Our newest five yard pattern
All that to say my brain can now begin designing and thinking about quilt patterns. We debuted our newest A-OK pattern WRAPPED. It was in the works for way too long. For a lot of designers, they create a pattern and then plug in the fabrics. For me, I am inspired by the FABRIC. I am challenged by the panels, blocks, scale, and feel of it. Lately, I have been challenged by 36" panels. With the ability to digitally print, fabric has become less about the repeat and more about the detail and large scale designs. Also, I am dared by directional prints. This has been leading me to create large square blocks to the fabric can be turned the right way without much preplanning on the quilter's part.
Step 1 - ART
This piece gives me so much inspiration
Outside of fabric, I am inspired by nature and art. Going to the art museum or delving into an era or artist lets me feel their feelings, see through their eyes, absorb the colors and style. The way the sun plays with color in the sky depending on the time of day and season never ceases to inspire me. Traveling to other places gives me the opportunity to see different lighting, different architecture, and different terrains. The biggest for me is color and pattern. My favorite color is what I call "Caillebotte Blue." It is a graying, plum-blue shade that is featured throughout his work. It warms me, is soothing, and I can't take my eyes' off of it. I am always pleased when it pops up somewhere else. I could stare at it for hours. This is the art brain part of designing.
Step 2 - MATH
The second part of designing is the math brain part. Once I create a design I have to figure out how it will come together. How will the small pieces become blocks and how will the seams be pressed. How wide will this be and how much fabric is needed. This is where some designs are trashed. If it doesn't go together simply or quickly, it is a no. If it won't work into a half yard formula or the one yard formula, or a precut, it is trashed. Some feel this part is boring, not me! I love math as much as art and playing with the numbers is exciting and challenging, like breaking a code. Step 3 - VERSATILITY
Wrapped shown in 4 different groupings
The third part is plugging in fabrics to see if the pattern is versatile and will work with many different styles of fabrics. Does it have enough contrast? Is the piecing worth it or is the design lost? Kaffe is a great place to start for me. If it makes those fabrics sing, we are good.
Step 4 - TESTING AND PROOFING
I stink at proofreading. My brain does not see typos or word form errors... seriously, it is bad. I began designing because I needed pictures for my brain to understand and all I could find were wordy patterns. I was lost. When I write a pattern, I would happily leave all the words out and just make it like an IKEA direction sheet - pictures only. But I know many of you are word people and need to hear the words in your head to understand so I do both. I need others to proofread my text as this is where I make my mistakes - not in the assembly or math! I then give the writing a rest and after I have forgotten what I wrote, I come back and make the pattern with fresh eyes, as if I have never known it. I makes LOTS of changes as I sew adding additional arrows and tags to help make the directions clear for the reader. My pattern tester is great at telling me when things are confusing and what is needed. I am so thankful for the help I have! After that, it is ready for you my quilting friends. There is nothing better than standing in front of you on a Friday night and unveiling a new design. It is the best. I hope you are able be inspired by our designs and fabric combinations. Putting bundles and kits together is what I love to do!
See you all Friday Night!
