Antique quilts speak to me. I love to draw on their tried and true patterns. My great grandmother was a quilter. I’ll forever be grateful for her quilts that I now own. In fact I replicated one of her quilts. 
Giving it a more modern flare.
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| Scrappy half squares |
Where do you find inspiration for your quilts? I know a lot of people find it in nature or architecture.
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| Jacob’s Ladder |
While I have found inspiration in these places. My favorite place to find quilting inspiration is from the past.
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| Majestic Mountains |
To see how those from the past have used patterns, fabrics, and color to make their own design. I once saw an exhibit of modern quilts. In it were quilts from the 1800s. They were included because of the modern look. I find that so interesting.
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| Nine patch with stars |
Then draw from their example, change up placement, color and value to make my own interpretation. Many of my designs have roots in antique quilts. I reproduced my great grandmothers quilt because I loved it! Her quilt was done completely by hand. I made my completely by machine.
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| Railroad Crossing |
Honoring those who came before while moving the art of quilting forward. Is the best way I know to bring honor to quilters from the past and their antique quilts.
I love these quilts. I think looking at vintage is such a beautiful idea. Thanks for all the heads up p information you send our way.
I see quilts I like and then the images just percolate away somewhere in my head. It might have been a quilt pattern or maybe just a photo on the letters page. I also like to adapt quilt patterns, often to supersize them, which can mean getting creative with huge borders. The most personal quilt I ever made took some inspiration from a quilt I saw at the Festival of Quilts, UK but really I just liked the flying geese! Then I incorporated all my friend’s children, my friend’s amazing energy and her love for her country.
I once had my then 5yo do a fabric pull for her star quilt – it was a wild mix with maybe 40 different fabrics. I sent a photo to my quilt teacher for a joke and she told me it would work. After that, I have been a bit more adventurous (not always) with working with a wider variety of fabrics.
I only recently signed up for your emails (after buying your book) and I am really enjoying them. Thank you!
I love vintage quilts also. I have collected 30+ quilts and I’m fascinated by the clever, yet simple patterns and color. Thank you for sharing your grandmothers quilt.