make modern 1 issue two

Issue Three

14

14inspiringprojects

New Year’s Resolutions

Meet Kate Spain

QAYGwith Jera Brandvig

Get into shape….pixels, geese, HSTs

and more!

that you’ll actually keep!

make modern 3 issue two

projectssubdivision

Kathy Thorncraft

rainbow cross Sandi Sawa Hazlewood

not so contrary wife Kelly Gleeson

shards

coasting along Jera Brandvig

timeline Jane Kelly

bricks and stones Jessica Vetor

space invaders Sarah Boyle

there’s a square in there Erin McPartland

wonky dresden Louise Orth

shooting stars Kristy Lea

centre of the universe Angie Wilson

aurora part three Alyce Blythe

library bags Brooke

contents

Alyce Blyth

make modern 4 issue two

issue twofeatures

terra australis

jera brandvig

new year’s resolutions

gaining a competitive edge

kate spain

charm along

quilt market trends

angie wilson

chronic quilting

regular pagesfrom the editor

meet the makers

maths and methods

domestic quilting goddess

ask the makers

library

next issue

Please read all instructions before starting a project. Recommended fabrics are 100%cotton, quilting quality. Requirements are based on 44” wide. All directions assumethe use of a ¼” seam.

General sewing supplies of sewing machine, threads, rotary cutter, mat, rulers,scissors etc are assumed and are not listed. Other specific tools required will belisted.

We have more detailed directions for various techniques, in the General Techniquesresource section on our website: makemodern.com.au

general project directions

make modern 5 issue two

meet the makers

Alyce Blyth@blossomheartquilts

blog

Kelly Gleesonblog

Jera Brandvig@quiltingintherain

blog

Sarah Boyle@bluebirdcreates

blog

Anne Beier@hudsonvalleyquilts

Blog

Melissa Gottliebsen@msmidge

blog

Jane Kelly@wherejanecreates

blog

Kristy Lea@quietplay

blog

make modern 6 issue two

meet the makers

Lou Orth@imstudiolou

blog

Angie Wilson@gnomeangel

blog

Sandi SawaHazlewood

@craftyplanner

blog

Kathy Thorncraft@iamacraftykat

blog

Jessica Vetor@jessicaquilter

blog

Erin McPartland@onceuponadonkey

blog

S-J Riceblog

make modern 38 issue two

Out in the real world, some of the most commonly broken New Year’s resolutions includelosing weight and saving money. In the quilting world, we have a few of our own thatseem to get broken before you know it – like finishing all the UFOs and WIPs, or not

buying any fabric.

Just like in other areas of your life, it’s the most extreme resolutions that slip away the fastest.That’s why we’ve thought long and hard to come up with some resolutions that’ll make yougrow as a quilter and stretch your creative muscle, while being easier to actually keep.

1. Only buy fabric you love.This mantra isn’t as strict as a full-on fabric diet, but it does keep youin check. Rather than buying things just because they’re on sale, you’revisiting a new shop, or it’s the line everyone is talking about, insteadbuy fabric you . Really really love. Treat your stash as a carefullycurated collection that reflects your impeccable tastes. The upsides:your stash will fill up with absolute favourites, and you will buy less.There are no downsides.

2. Learn something new.Before you make this resolution, you need to be specific. Do you wantto try English paper piecing? Screenprinting? Hand appliqué? Art quilting? Think about onething you’ve always wanted to try ‘one day’ and make this the year you’ll be doing it. Then makea plan – from gathering materials to finding how-to-guides to setting a start date. Then do it.

3. Finish some WIPsSome people love to start and finish projects in a linear fashion. Therest of us ebb and flow, moving from one project to the next,sometimes leaving a trail of WIPs in our wake. While we are notsaying you shouldn’t have any WIPs, remember that too many canbe overwhelming. If your WIPs are out of control, then make a planto finish some, without being too strict about it. Let yourself startnew things in between, but make it a goal to at least reduce yourUFO count.

4. Keep a design bookResolve to design more. Whether or not you consider yourself a quilt designer or not, you willstretch your creative muscle if you start looking around you for quilty inspiration. It’s everywhere,from clothing to nature to man-made objects. Sketch your ideas, and before you know it you’llbe coming up with original creations.

practicalities

new year’s resolutionsfor quilters

make modern 21 issue two

If you were alive in the ‘70s or ‘80s, you no doubt remember the bright, over-the-top bedsheets that were so popular at the time. Whether your parents were the stylish type whohad brown paisley sheets, or you slept under Holly Hobbie every night as a little girl,

vintage sheets bring back memories of a simpler time.

Many people love to collect vintage sheets at op shops, so much so that they’re becomingmuch harder to find. But the other down-side of using real vintage sheets in your sewingprojects is that the fabric quality isn’t always consistent and sometimes the sheets are quiteworn.

That’s why we were so excited when designer Emma Jean Jansen created her newestcollection, . These are the patterns we all remember, in vibrant hues and crispcotton. They’re perfect in this quilt – the classic block, Contrary Wife, in a large scale showsoff the fabric and brings back fond memories.

by Kelly Gleeson

not so contrary wifevintage 2 modern

designed by Jane Kelly and Kristy Lea

make modern 41 issue two

by Jessica Vetor

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with those adorable mini-charm packs you can’t resistwhen you stop by your local quilt shop – here’s the answer. This super-cute mini quiltuses mini charms for maximum impact.

bricks and stonespre-cut perfect

make modern 77 issue two

Sometimes, it’s the older women in our families whoset us on our quilty paths, with mothers,grandmothers and aunts being a constant source

of inspiration. For Angie Wilson, her grandmother’s gift ofa sewing machine set her on a path that would define herlife.

“I had a bit of a rocky start to quilting. I flunked sewing inHome Economics when I was in High School so my love ofsewing really didn’t exist until 2010 when my Nana sent meher sewing machine that she no longer wanted,” Angie tells.“I have no idea why she sent it to me, but it’s one of the bestthings anyone has ever done for me.”

With a sewing machine in her possession, Angie headed toher local quilt shop to buy fabric for a new bag, and you knowwhat happens next…. “While I was there I saw quiltshanging and decided I’d like to give it a go. I purchased areally simple quilt pattern and fabrics that I liked and wenthome and made a quilt top.”

Angie had this first quilt long-armed and gifted it to hermother, then signed up to a class at a local shop. “My sewingskills were non-existent and the class teacher really didn’tknow what to do with me and so after advising me thatquilting might not be for me I stopped the class.”

Thankfully, Nana came to the rescue again and before Angiecould quit quilting, she asked for a quilt. “How could I denythe woman who’d given me my machine? So I made anotherquilt top and took it back to the longarmer who advised thatI should probably take a beginners quilt class if I was goingto keep making quilts. She recommended a class she thoughtwould be better for me.”

Fortunately, this class experience was much better. “I took abeginners class where the teacher was patient and knew howto deal with my heavy handed clumsy sewing and overexuberance and she really showed me that if I stuck with it Icould make quilts.”

meet the maker

angie wilsongnome angel

make modern 45 issue two

Back in a time before computer generated graphics looked like actual movies, we hadlegends like to keep us occupied for hours. Sarah pays homage togaming history with this clever pixel quilt.

by Sarah Boyle

space invaderspixel this

make modern 71 issue two

a good foundation

shooting starsby Kristy Lea

Our resident paper-piecing addict is at it again, with this divine variation on the classicstar theme. In bright colours and with delightful fussy cut prints, this quilt wouldmake any little girl very happy.

make modern 53 issue two

kate spainHere’s a funny story. When Kate Spain agreed to an

interview with us, I was rather giddy with excitement. Somuch so that I kept telling my husband about it, over and

over again. And it turns out, there are many ways you canemphasise the two syllables in Kate’s name to make it sounddifferent. Eventually, he turned to me and said, “It doesn’t matterhow many different ways you say it, I still don’t know what you’retalking about.” But in his defence, his opinion on my fabriccollection is that there is too much of it, so he might be the onewho doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Kate Spain needs no such introduction to quilters. She is a favourite designer of many quilters,and her prints hold great appeal for both modern and traditional quilters alike. Her use of boldcolour and her beautiful prints make her fabrics a great addition to any stash. Whether you liketo make quilts from single ranges, or let your whole stash play together, Kate’s fabrics workequally well. She’s been designing for Moda since 2009, when the range of fresh, modern fabricswas a much more limited selection, so it’s little surprise that many makers embraced her fabricswhen she first came along.

Kate had 15 years of experience in design before getting into fabric design. “I studied graphicdesign at Rhode Island School of Design and graduated from there in 1993. After college, Iworked at Simon & Schuster Publishing designing and art directing children's books. Fromthere, I worked on designing Hello Kitty products for a children's accessory company in NYC.This is where I learned how to create patterns in repeat, and became somewhat obsessed withthe process!” she explains.

From there, a chance conversation with a quiltingrelative led to her signing to design for Moda. Kateexplains: “In 2008, after exhibiting at a surface/textilestrade show in New York City, I launched my first website. One of my quilting-addicted relatives saw it andthought some of the designs would be perfect forquilting fabrics. She told me I ‘should try to work withModa’. I chuckle now to think about the fact that I hadno idea who Moda was! But I took a shot-in-the-dark andmy (then) agent sent a pile of patterns to CherylFreydberg, the design director at Moda Fabrics. It wasn'tuntil a couple months later that I got the wonderful newsand we began working together! I feel so incrediblygrateful to be working with such an amazing company.”

designer profile

make modern 95 issue two

ask the makers

quilty resolutionsEach issue, we ask our contributors a very important question about some aspect of

quilting. Regardless of how long we’ve been quilting and sewing, there is alwayssomething to learn or a tip to make or do something slightly differently. So this

issue we asked our makers to share their quilty New Year’s resolutions. We’re sure some ofthese may resonate with you!

Jane of Where Jane Creates & MM Editor“This year, I need to master improv curved piecing – it’s something I’ve neverquite got around to and I need to do it to finish a WIP I’ve had languishing for fartoo long. Also, it’ll add more versatility to my improv skill set, and that’s alwaysa good thing.”

Kristy of Quiet Play & MM Creative Director“Once I was a monogamist quilter but not anymore. So I’d like to tackle my WiPpile and get back to just one or two projects at a time. Stop laughing, Jane.”

Lara, MM Business Manager“My resolution for 2015 is to make all of the handmade baby things that I haveplanned (before bub is born), finish at least 3 of my WIPs and make the promisedquilts for some special little people in my life. However, above all, I pledge to stopfeeling the quilty-guilts when I take time out to spend with family instead oftackling my lost list of WIPs.”

Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts“Next year, I will make quilts purely for the reason of expressing our life as it isnow. Modern art quilting, if you will!”

Angie of Gnome Angel“My 2015 is going to be all about accuracy, technique and colour (and most likelychocolate - lots of chocolate!). I’ve always wanted to make a Hawaiian quilt andI’m determined to make 2015 the year I actually do it (well, at least start it so Ican add it to my WIP pile).”

Jera of Quilting in the Rain“My quilty New Years resolution is to get my crafting space organized.”

make modern 96 issue two

Sandi of Crafty Planner“My New Year's resolutions list is long!  I would like to learn and/or become moretechnically proficient in a sewing skill.  To accomplish this goal, I have a list ofskills (e.g. zipper insertion, curves, applique, etc) and will challenge myself tospend one month on that sewing skill.  My efforts will be chronicled on my blog.”

Erin of Once Upon a Donkey“My quilty New Year’s resolution is to finish my donkey quilt!”

Sarah of Bluebird Creates“My quilty New Years resolution is use more of my stash and finish off someUFO’s!!! I’d also like to take a machine quilting class one day.”

Jessica of Jessica Quilter"My quilting New Year's resolutions would be to finally cut into some of thefabric collections I have been hoarding!  I am making 2015 my "Put It To Use"year!”

Melissa of Ms Midge“My New Year's Resolution quilty wise is to take more time. Take more time beforepurchasing fabric, before starting a quilt and whilst making a quilt! Often I makehasty decisions, I want to slow down!”

Kathy of I Am Crafty Kat“2015 is going to be the year of the curve for me! I am determined overcome myfear of curves and do a circle quilt using the piec-lique method fromSharon Schamber.”

Lou of I’m Studio Lou“I'd love to finally try some free motion quilting. I love the creativity you see in freemotion designs. I've got the foot for my machine, I just need to take the plungeand give it a go!”

make modern 44 issue two

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