e-Interviews: Rachel D (entry 83)
Hi everyone, remember my blog about e-interviews…today is all about Rachel D from Belgium…can you find Belgium on this map? There is 10.7 million people that live in this country and it’s way smaller then one of our Canadian provinces and we have 33 million people in our whole country. They speak French, Dutch and German there so since English isn’t her first language she did a FAB job of my interview…enjoy!
How long have you been quilting and what got you started?
- I’ve been quilting for one year. It all started in summer 2008 when I bought a special edition of a magazine called MagicPatch. This special edition was dedicated to Veronique Requena. I discovered a new passion and a new style: the country style. I just love and only regret I didn’t discover it earlier.
Some of you may also follow her blog and recognize her great photos…
++++++++++
This picture represents my 1st real patchwork. I made it when attending to my first patchwork lessons. It was hand pieced and I started hand quilting it. It’s still an on going project but I promised myself to finish it this year so that I can proudly hand it in the house.
++++++++++
Were you a sewer first?
- I was a sewer before a quilter. My mother worked for a cloth designer and taught me the basics for machine sewing. There was I time I would only wear but skirts I made myself.
++++++++++
This second quilt was also made during a patchwork course. This time, it’s a machine pieced and hand quilted project. Colors are completely different from the original pattern as I wanted to give it a Christmas touch. I finished it on time for last Christmas. It’s one of the projects I’m mostly proud of.
++++++++++
Favourite Technique?
- My favorite technique is hand piecing. It’s easy to do everywhere and allows me to piece in the train when commuting to and from work. I also like hand quilting because of the result but I’m not sure I would hand quilt a top bed cover.
This 3rd quilt was made before take patchwork courses. I didn’t have the basics so joints don’t perfectly match. But I love it anyway as I like making small projects. I was inspired by a Lucy’s blog for this project (http://lucyquilting.blogspot.com/2009/01/from-my-scraps.html). I just love mini quilts, perfect for decorating a house.
++++++++++
Do you have a favourite store: Online or Brick & Mortar and why?
- A favorite shop ? Well I don’t know a lot. In Belgium (tiny country), there aren’t a lot. The only patchwork shop I had the opportunity to visit is The Cosy Cottage (http://www.thecosycottage.be/). The 2 ladies keeping this shop are absolutely nice and of good advise. But for finding nice fabrics, I would need to discover on-line shops.
What is a tool that you can’t live without?
- The tool I can’t live without: my thimble. Because I hate hurting my fingers. 😉
Who is your biggest influence in the quilting world, famous or other-wise?
- I don’t know if I have a big influence. I love visiting blogs here I discover beauties made by wonderful ladies. My influence of the moment is Marianne Byrne-Goarn from The Cinnamon Patch (http://www.thecinnamonpatch.com/). I love the mixture of fabric and felt.
Voilà Valerie. Here are the answers to your questions. It was a good exercise for me. I’m a quilting beginner and have a lot to learn and discover.
++++++++++
Thanks so much Rachel for sharing with us and being part of Vals Quilting and Pastimes Online. Since I LOVE your blog, I would never have guessed you were new to quilting. You take excellent pictures, you are so committed to blogging, I’m a huge fan!! Thanks for doing such a good job and connecting us with another part of our world…
Okay ladies…wasn’t this so inspiring doesn’t it make you want to be interviewed next?
Have a happy and creative day,
Studio, Zach’s Quilt, Patterns (entry 82)
Hi Everyone, today I have some great news, the carpet is going into my new studio this morning YAY, I’m so excited to be getting so close to the move, which will be full of un-packing more boxes (hmm could be another un-boxing video coming up), stacking shelves, purring of my sewing machine (as I’m behind on a few things), cutting kits, and more…stay tuned.
I’m just finishing the label for Zach’s quilt (I should have done a Kite label to keep with the theme and maybe I will, but his theme for the baby shower was ducks so this is still suiting), it seems like I’ve been working on this for a while but hey it’s one of the first quilts I designed from top to bottom, I really LOVE the colours and I’m a bit sad to see this one come to an end….good thing I’m finishing up the pattern and it will be kitted soon enough 🙂
Speaking of patterns, I just finished my Chenille Scissor Keeper pattern and I’ve also made up some kits. The tutorial on making the chenille is here if you missed it in my past blog posting…
Besides painting, painting and more painting, I haven’t done much sewing but I did finish the embroidery on A Kittens Tale Block of the Month (One) and I’m planning to launch this one in a couple of weeks sooo if you are still debating starting a cute and easy wall hanging quilt come and join us here. Two options full kit (dupioni silks, embroidery needles, silk pins, silk flosses, yo-yo maker, sewing machine needles, private blog posting with step by step instructions and more $25/month) and also a Pattern only option $15…
Their cute little faces, and I LOVE working with the silk floss, they glide through so beautifully…
Before I forget to mention, these are my new 3 favourite things:
the 3.5″ x 18.5″ Gingher Ruler, this little baby I’ve been using so much lately, it’s the perfect length and width, also the copper topped embroidery needles, love these AND this thread holder you see is made by and excellent craftsman, custom made for Pastimes Online..will be for sale shortly.
This thread keeper, is so perfect for applique and doing binding, keeps your needle in the right place (magnet on side) and your thread always at the “ready” position.
I’ll be at my Lakdside Quilters Guild “Quilt til You Wilt” day on Saturday which is always full of fun and interesting projects, stories and more 🙂 Can’t wait!!!
Until next time, have a happy and creative weekend,
