I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to interview Jen
Kingswell, author of
‘Quilt Lovely’ as part of the book's release and promotion. As regular readers here know, I have been
a fan of Jen’s since her
Amitié shop block of the month patterns,
‘Green Tea and Sweet Beans’ and
‘Gypsy Wife’, started to pop up on quilting blogs a few
years back so you can imagine how quickly I replied to the request and started drafting my interview questions.
I met Jen at her hand piecing and appliqué master class during
last years Fat Quarterly Retreat and she was a generous and inspirational
teacher so to review her book is an utter pleasure. From her previous work I just knew it would be jam packed
full of scrappy goodness and inspiring creations and of course, it absolutely is!
There are 15 projects: 9
quilts and 6 pillows, and a huge variety of designs and techniques I cannot
wait to try, but first let’s find out a little more about Jen and her quilting style.
Congratulations on your ‘Quilt Lovely’ book Jen! I love the mix of designs and
techniques from repeated block quilts like ‘Flea Market Dash’ to the medallion
style ‘Simply Red Centre’ quilt and the hand pieced ‘Daisy Do’ quilt. Where do you find your ideas and
inspiration and how you go about designing a project?
"Most of my quilts are made using traditional block. I love vintage quilts. I'm an "organic" designer. Not sure how else to describe it. I rarely start with a complete or set idea. I quite often change my mind as I progress. Sometimes things I start take a little vacation in the bottom of the wardrobe, then I'll get an idea, dig it out and it will head off in a different direction. A design wall is a great tool. Projects take on a different perspective when you can stand."
It’s hard to pick a favourite out of 15 stunning projects
but, in the face of fierce competition, I would pick the Glitter Quilt.
It’s beautifully photographed and I
know it would make the perfect long-term project, as although it’s made of 152
blocks I would only ever have to think about cutting out, preparing and sewing
one block at a time!
What are your
favourite projects in the book?
"Glitter is my favourite as well. I think you have hit the
nail right smack on the head Kerry. It's a great way for anyone to start if
they are not confident with scrappy quilts and mixing fabric genres or colour.
As you said, you only need to think of one block at a time and three fabrics.
Easy! Once you've made all those
blocks, and you will be happy with each individually, play with the placement
of them. You will find they all play together beautifully. Daisy do is probably my second fav."
Hand sewing is an integral part of your work from the
piecing through to the appliqué and even the quilting. What are your top tips or gadgets for
hand sewing?
"The beaut thing about hand sewing is you don't need
a lot, which makes it quite affordable for beginners. It's all about personal
preference for me. Most of the girls who work at my store all like slightly
different things eg the thread and needles they stitch with etc. My advice is
listen to what different people like, try some and see what works for you. I
love a fine long needle to stitch with, both piecing and appliqué so I use a
straw needle no 11. I stitch with
a 50wt thread which is finer. The best tip is slow down and enjoy the process. Or at least give it a go!"
Your projects have an amazing sense of colour combined with
traditional quilting blocks and an eclectic and unexpected mix of prints that
always gel together. I love the
contrast between the vibrant ‘Clam Bake’ pillow and the calm taupe tones of the
‘Home Run’ pillow. Lots of
quilters panic over colours and combining fabric. What advice would you give to those who want to add more
colours and a scrappier look to their projects but don’t know where to start?
"This is a really interesting question as I don't
use any formula or templates such as colour wheels. I know what I like and
that's what I run with. Start one
block at a time. Use some favourite fabrics then add an unexpected print or
colour and stretch the boundaries. I think if you like all the fabrics and
colours you should like the blocks and therefore the quilt. Take a risk, be
brave and you never know where this may lead you. I guess the only rule I
follow is it's my quilt so I make it the way I like it and you should do the
same."
After many years in Australia working and developing your
Amitié shop and quilt design business, you’ve been living in the United Arab
Emirates for the last few years. Has
this experience of living in a different country and culture brought new
influences into your work?
"Everywhere feeds my interest and influences my
being. I think living in a completely different culture has opened my eyes and
mind to many things. The one thing I noticed often was the different light.
Colours were different. I found it fascinating."
You travel extensively with your teaching work as well as
promoting ‘Quilt Lovely’, your new fabric line ‘Gardendale’ for Moda and your
patterns. How does quilting fit
into your life when you are you travelling? What sort of projects do you pack to sew on the move?
"The beauty of hand piecing! I prep work to travel
and on long haul flights I stitch and stitch. I've never been stopped with a
needle and 3-4 pins. I just declare them in a zip lock bag. I can get quite a
few blocks sewn between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne or Australia to the US. It's
also a very welcome distraction when flights are delayed or cancelled. A small
portable light is handy in hotel rooms if you can fit it in your luggage - hotel lighting is never quilter friendly!"
Thankyou Jen. Such helpful advice and I love the idea of taking a portable light, what a top tip! I couldn't resist starting a Glitter quilt of my own, just one hand pieced block but this is going to be a long term project.
In the interests of disclosure, I was kindly sent a free copy of the
Quilt Lovely for the purposes of this interview. I only chose to review books that I think I will like and are relevant to my sewing style. I like this one so much that I don't think anyone can prise it out of my hot little hands, but if you are really lucky and live locally, I might let you have a look inside ;)
