Designer Spotlight – Lee Chappell Monroe

Each month we meet up with a variety of quilt and fabric designers, new book authors, notion developers and more! It’s fun to get to know them a little bit better. Let me introduce you to Lee Chappell Monroe of May Chappell.

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How did you get your start in sewing?

My mother insisted that I learn the basics of sewing, but I was a reluctant seamstress in my younger years. I used sewing when I needed it; I made my first quilt for my graduate school apartment. I was inspired by a Pottery Barn catalogue. I really started quilting a lot when my parents gifted me a sewing table and I didn’t have to store my sewing machine.

Where do you find inspiration? 

Everywhere! I have sketched quilts on everything from napkins to flyers to my hand! I have to write it down when I think of it. I love to travel and I’m often inspired by new shape combinations from around the world.

Do you have a favorite or a few favorite notions? What are they?

washi tape. I find a new use for it all the time; I did a whole series of Tuesday Tips dedicated to the use of washi. I’m not much on specialty notions but I make A LOT of dresdens and Susan Cleveland’s Prairie Pointer tool creates a perfect point.

Tell us about the project your currently working on.

It’s Quilt Market season so my cutting table is a sea of projects. I’m quite excited about the rerelease of Animals on Parade with lots of new animals. (I will have photos/quilts of new things to share.)

Have anything fun coming up or just happening that you’d like to share?

I’m teaching on my first quilting cruise this January. I’ve never been on a cruise…

What are your favorite parts of quilting?

I love the picking fabric and cutting. Choosing patterns and colors to fit the design is my favorite part creatively and the cutting is so satisfying! I love creating little neat piles to stitch up.

Give us a quirky fact about yourself 🙂

I own every orange fabric with dogs ever made- pending future production.

What interests do you pursue when you’re not quilting?

Travel. Reading. Swimming. Art. Crafting. Knitting.

Where Can I find More?

Website: May Chappell

Instagram: MayChappell

Lee will be joining us this month inside the quilt group for a guest chat. Not a member yet? You should be! Come join us for a wonderful, fun and inspirational year of quilting. More info here.

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