Say you have a question about applique. It could be, “What
the heck is applique and why would I want to do it?” Or it could be more like, “How can I broderie-perse a flower with very skinny petals without fraying?
The book opens by handily refuting the most common anti-applique
sentiments (too fussy, too hard, requires hand sewing, etc.). It also does a
great job at explaining the pros and cons of raw-edge, prepared-edge, and
needle-turn applique. And the patterns are very modern and cool, and even
include some improvisational techniques. Most inspiring, perhaps, is Kevin's attitude about quilting. The overall message is, Do whatever brings you joy, and don't worry too much about what other people think.
We recently had the chance to ask Kevin some questions about
The Quilter’s Applique Workshop.
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| The Counterbalance Quilt uses prepared-edge techniques and is machine-sewn. |
In the introduction
to the book, you mention that you started quilting on your own, without the
assistance of a quilt guild or the Internet. What inspired you to start
quilting?
My mom bought me a sewing machine so I could make curtains,
and that quickly led to other home-dec sewing—namely a quilt for my bed. I’d
been interested in both graphic and interior design for a long time, so
quilting turned out to be the perfect combination of the two.
What was your first
project? What do you like or dislike about it now?
My first quilt was a “Day at the Beach” from Denyse
Schmidt's first book, adapted to bed size. It’s hard to believe that even back
in those days (less than 10 years ago) solids were difficult to find—one of the
things I'm not so fond of now is that a good part of the quilt is poly-cotton
blend!
What was the biggest
mistake you made in the early days?
Probably trying to run hand-quilting thread through my
machine. It took some time for proper pressing to sink in, too.
This may be a dumb
question, but with words like “applique” and “broderie-perse” … Did the French
invent this technique? What’s the history here? And do you think the accent
marks scare away some people?
Stitching one piece of cloth onto another for decorative or
practical purposes is an ancient technique, if not prehistoric, so the French
can only be credited with the term that’s currently in favor (“applied work”
often appears in older books). You may well be right that the foreign names
make people think appliqué’s more exotic than it is. I think it may also
suggest fussy, frilly, nineteenth-century styles to some people—which is a
shame, since one of the best things about appliqué is its versatility.
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| Fruit Market Quilt, an homage to mid-century designer Jean Ray Laury |
In the book, you
mention that you’re inspired by mid-century graphic design. Can you tell us
more about the objects, designers, or styles that inspire you? Has this changed
over the years, or have you always been a mid-century kind of guy?
Patterns from mid-century fabrics, wallpapers, and dishes
are natural sources for quilt designs, but I get ideas from mid-century
posters, book and record covers, architecture, furniture, and all sort of other
things. There’s a visual exuberance of color and shape that really appeals to
me, from “high” designers like Alexander Girard, Verner Panton, and Lucienne
Day all the way through to unsigned household goods. I’ve always had an
interest in the design of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, which only grows as I
learn about new (to me) designers.
What’s you’re
favorite part of the quiltmaking process, and why? What’s your least favorite
part?
Designing is probably my favorite part, but not necessarily
just the preliminary design processes—I often add and subtract fabrics as I go
and keep adjusting the final project while I’m making it, and I really enjoy
seeing the idea come to life. I love hand-sewing too, for its relaxing,
meditative qualities. Basting before quilting is probably the worst—does anyone
like doing that?—but it’s become much easier now that I’ve set up a
semi-permanent basting table in my garage.
What do you do with
your finished quilts—keep, give away, sell? What’s the most special gift quilt
you’ve made?
I usually hold onto quilts to use as samples when I’m
teaching, lecturing, or marketing patterns. Probably because my background is
in publishing, it’s always made more sense to me to make a quilt once and sell
multiple copies of patterns rather than try to sell the quilts themselves. One
of my first appliqué quilts was a gift for my partner when we were living long
distance, though now that we’re married its kind of back in my possession!
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| Reverse-appliqued Eccentric Concentrics Wall Quilt |
I liked your sidebar
encouraging us to ignore the “quilt police” and to use the techniques that seem
best to us. You also mention that you choose to make quilts not for shows or
posterity but in order to bring joy to your loved ones. Was this position hard
to come by? Have the quilt police ever called you in for questioning?
That sidebar’s kind of my manifesto, albeit tongue in cheek.
It’s really just an articulation of how I’ve felt about quilting since I
started. I personally make quilts because I enjoy the process of making and
designing them, but I know that many quilters are motivated by sharing their
quilts as gifts or charity donations—and whatever the case, my feeling is that
quilting should be something we do because we enjoy it. I know there are people
who genuinely get their pleasure from doing things “the right way,” but
everyone should be allowed to decide that “right way” for themselves.
I haven’t had to answer to the quilt police directly very
often, but I’m sure they’re working up a file on me!
What’s next for you?
I’m developing a line of patterns that reinterpret classic
mid-century modern design through piecing, appliqué, and quilting, which I’m
very excited about. And right now I’m really intrigued by screen-printing, so
I’m experimenting with hand-printed fabric for use in quilts. Of course, I’m
also teaching classes related to the book, so I’ll continue spreading the
appliqué love!
Thanks, Kevin! One
lucky guild member will win a copy of The
Quilter’s Applique Workshop at our meeting on June 19.
