When first asked about how I came to choose the fabric prints and block
designs for this sampler quilt, my first response was a very nonchalant: I
simply fell in love with the prints the moment I laid eyes on them. But on
further thought I found myself musing over why exactly was there this
instant attraction.
Choosing the print
Being so pressed to explain, I continued to struggle with this question
until I realized, quite unexpectedly that these prints somehow ever so
gently speak to me. Yes, it is true; they seem to whisper if ever so
slightly of days gone by, days that didn’t know of world wars and the
turmoil of today. I recognize that it may seem a bit strange to hear someone
talk of fabrics whispering to her; but that is the best way I can explain
it. There is warmth and tranquility in these prints; they seem to create the
warm sense of peace and serenity that belonged to days of long ago.
When searching for the blocks for this sampler I wanted variety and
simplicity. I found that the older block designs were simple and wouldn’t
detract from the sense of harmony and peace that the prints exude. Then it
is a matter of experimenting with fabric combinations, to see which were
most pleasing. This takes time and patience because, of course, you almost
never get the right combination the first time.
Making the kit
Getting all of this into a pre-cut quilting kit takes a lot of work. After
the fabric blocks are chosen we now must go to the drafting board and design
the cut files for the laser cutter.
There are twelve block designs in this sampler with three to seven different
blocks in three to five prints in each one. So this takes some serious time.
Accuracy is so very important as the laser will only cut as accurate as the
files are designed. I must admit I am fanatical when it comes to the
accuracy and will often work with it until it is accurate within 1,000 of an
inch. Yes, I know, it is overkill, but it doesn’t take that much longer and
to be honest, I simply can’t bring myself to do it any other way.
The final step: Instructions
The next step is designing the instructions. It is important that my
instructions are detailed and easy to follow. So often it seems you open up
a pattern only to feel that somehow you have to find a way to read the
designers mind; because they certainly didn’t spell out what they were
thinking. Since we are a company based on making quilting easy, I design my
instructions with step-by-step illustrations to walk you through from
beginning to end. Finally we make a pretty cover with a colored finished
block that you are encouraged to refer to often as you do the assembling of
your block.
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