Cheryl Brown is the author of Fresh and Fabulous Quilts, a book that features fun, youthful designs.
Visit her terrific new website at http://quilterchic.com to read more about Fresh and Fabulous Quilts.
How did you first get introduced to quilting?
I learned to hand quilt as a young girl and did my first piecing project when I was about 16 (using cardboard templates!). I really got into quilting, though, after I was married and had my son. My mother-in-law taught me how to piece using modern methods, and I just loved it and took off with it.
You worked as an interior designer before you became a quilter. How has your background in interior design influenced and enhanced your quiltmaking?
I learned how to incorporate color and texture in interior design, and those same elements are used in quilts. In design school, you learn basic design elements that apply to any project.
Fresh and Fabulous Quilts has a youthful appeal. How did you come up with these terrific ideas?
Some of the ideas originated with my husband, who is a graphic designer. He sketched all the sheep in “Sheep” and designed the basic flower shape in “Power.” I drew most of the other designs, and I just used techniques and shapes that interested me for the piecing in the projects. For example, I wanted something rectangular for “Blooming Thing,” so I started with the rectangular shape for the appliqué blocks, and then made rectangles in varying sizes for the filler blocks.
Which quilts in your book would you recommend for beginners and why?
For beginning piecing, I recommend “Basket” because it’s fairly basic and uses strip piecing. For a beginning appliqué project, I recommend “Blooming Thing.” The appliqués are generally large and simple. The hardest part of the appliqué would be the stem, but that can be simplified. I had a friend who cut the stem’s swirl shorter, so she didn’t have to appliqué the entire swirl.
How did your connections in the quilting world lead you to That Patchwork Place®?
I’m a long-arm quilter, so I know a lot of quilters. Jenny Wilding Cardon, another That Patchwork Place author, asked me to quilt 20 baby quilts for The Little Box of Baby Quilts. I gave her a discount and, in return, she helped me through the process of submitting a book proposal. She also carried my “Power” quilt to Quilt Market to show it to the Martingale & Company representatives.
What gave you the idea to write a book?
I had originally thought about doing patterns, and Jenny said I probably had enough designs to publish a book. I gave it some thought and decided that might be a better way to go.
What advice would you give other quilters who are thinking of writing a book?
Go for it! There are endless quilt ideas and many different types of quilting. Enjoy the process and don’t be offended by the editing. The editors are very talented, and they know how to word things!
How long have you been a long-arm quilter, and are you still providing quilting services?
I’ve been long-arm quilting for about five years now, and I’m still providing the service. I’ve quilted for most of my clients for quite some time.
What do you enjoy most about teaching quilting?
I love to see new quilters learning the shortcuts that make blocks look more difficult than they really are! Beginners are always pleasantly surprised to know that you don’t have to cut out each tiny piece.
What’s the best and worst thing about first learning to quilt?
The best is having a beautiful quilt that you made yourself! The worst is that it’s hard to get accurate seams when you’re first learning, and sometimes things don’t fit together the way you want.
What new directions in quiltmaking would you like to explore in the future?
I love appliqué and have been exploring using dimensional fabric in appliqué and piecing. I have a few projects I’m working on in that area, and I’m also experimenting with using charm packs and Jelly Rolls. (Of course, now there are all the other precut fabric packs too!)
In what ways has quiltmaking enriched your daily life?
I love being able to do something every day. Most days, I’m doing handwork while winding down in the evening in front of the TV. I don’t get nearly enough time at the sewing machine, but I do enjoy the time I get.
What do you like to do when you’re not quilting?
I love reading, and my interests cross over all genres. Favorites include Harry Potter, John Adams, The Zion Chronicles, Little Women―and everything in between!
What’s next―are there new projects or books in the works?
I’m trying to get some projects completed so that I can submit a proposal for another book. I also have a couple of magazine publishers interested in my work, so I’m trying to follow up on that. My biggest problem is time, time, time!
If you could spend an entire day exactly as you wished, how would you spend it?
Oh, gosh! I’d sleep in and then have a wonderful day quilting with my friends. I’d have plenty of chocolate and maybe visit a quilt store or two. Then in the evening, I would appliqué while watching my favorite TV series on DVD, Eli Stone.
