Top 12 Quilt Designers you should know about~
Are you surprised that you don’t ‘know’ every quilt designer out there? Almost every day I hit a new one that I have never know about! What?!
Sometimes though- to be honest, I hide in my world of favorites and have a hard time branching out and meeting new designers or quilters for that matter.
The routine of who I check in with and what I watch is dug deeper every day it feels like.
Today— we are pulling you out of your little hole and introducing you to 12 quilt designers that I am especially excited to introduce you to.
They are in no special order…they are all super talented and in their own way bring to the quilting world something special.
This is a list that can get you exploring new quilters, techniques, patterns and possibly follow if you fall in love with what they do.
#1 Quilt Designer: Jennifer of The Inquiring Quilter
She is the author of this fabulous book
Her style is a mix of the old with the new. She gathers great info and knows a lot about all the basics and builds on that.
You can check her out here: the inquiring quilter
#1 Quilt Designer: Leila of Sewn by Leila
Leila was so fun to chat with! Her idea of taking a technique and dealing with them quilt block by quilt block is so smart! I am one that gets a grand idea and then looses interest after a couple of blocks. This ‘testing’ of the technique a block at a time is so smart. No overwhelm. No king size quilt (unless you love it!). No major commitment.
If you have an interest in a specific technique, but not sure where to start- this is a good place!
She’s a co-author of this wonderful book:
Her style is all about freshening up traditional quilt blocks with a modern touch. She is also big on building your technique quilting base. Plus, she just finished up a major grandmother’s garden english paper piecing quilt. It’s wonderful!
She is also participating in Iquilt videos by Bernina. You can find her latest one here.
#3 Quilt Designer: Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts
She is a modern and fresh pattern designer. She loves making and giving and cuddling quilts. Except making binding, she says she doesn’t like that. That she tries to get her husband to press for her. Too funny!
In 2015 she released an ebook all about designing your quilt blocks….brilliant!
You can get to know her better on her blog: Blossom Heart Quilts
#4 Quilt Designer: Jodi of Tales of Cloth
Here’s a bit about her:With my husbands brains and my creative flare combined, we’ve developed Tales of Cloth Paper Pieces. He built a laser cutter, and I’ve been madly stitching late into the night. Our goal is to help people make unique and beautiful hand-pieced quilts, connecting different shapes together to discover new tiling patterns or re imagine old ones.
She is a delight to say the least! Her pieces of paper become a beautiful quilt…..something I have small versions of, but nothing larger than a mini quilt! Some day, some day.
Her style is bright modern…and the designs that come from her paper pieces are beautiful. You will really be overwhelmed by what they can make!
You can find more about Jodi and her paper pieces on her blog: Tales of Cloth
#5 Quilt Designer : Debbie of Wendt Quilting
I met Debbie at the last quilt market and she is such a smart gal and so easy to get along with! She is full of energy and her enthusiasm for quilting or overall sewing is something you can catch from her!
Her patterns (which I picked up in the fall, but haven’t sewn yet) include mermaid tales and shark tales!
She has a timeless design with a spunky addition- approach when it comes to her quilts. She has also written a few quilt books- including one about chenille quilting!
You can get to know Debbie on her blog: Wendt Quilting
#6 Quilt Designer: Kate of Seams like a dream
This gal is a delight! She and I met a couple of years ago and she is so easy going and fun to chat with.
This is what she says– Our quilt patterns feature designs that are fun, fresh and incorporate traditional elements with a more modern flair. The patterns are clear and well written so those quilt dreamers can become quilters. Yes! you can make these quilts.
This is a book they launched and it’s such a goodie! It’s all about precuts…which I sometimes just buy because they are pretty and am afraid of actually using them! This is the book that shows it all. Love it!
You can find more about Kate on her blog: Seams Like a Dream
#7 Quilt Designer: Emily of Aunt Em’s Quilts
Emily and I have known each other for a couple of years and she has been one that plays along with me on the blog with round robins and other sewing fun things I can talk her into.
Here are a few notes about her: I got my first sewing machine when I was ten. My mother patiently taught me how to sew. In high school I thought I would be a fashion designer, but life had other plans. I was blessed with three sons, who found my cute sailor suits and knickers less than desirable, so I started quilting. I find the play with color and design challenging. I love to take an old design and make it new again. I love meeting, teaching and learning from other quilters. I have a wide range of patterns, classes and tutorials available.
She is my kind of quilter when it comes to her style. Bright fun colors, funky layouts…..or nontraditional quirkiness. Everything I love and more.
You can get to know Emily on her blog: Em’s Scrapbag
#8 Quilt Designer: Stacey of SLO Studio
Stacey is one that I really kind of look up to. She explores other art work beyond quilting. Painting and drawing. Her eye is a modern one with a fresh layout and color.
Here is a bit about Stacey: In general with art and creativity, I just jump right in and learn as I go – and that’s just what I have done with quilting. I love that there is so much to learn and try and experiment with. I love making quilts because they’re both artistic and useful. I like the fact that a quilt is like a blank canvas on which to play with colour and fabric, and the challenge of constructing something something tangible from a plan in my head.
Her quilt was featured on the front cover:
You can find more about Stacey on her blog: SLO Studio
#9 Quilt Designer: Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl
Yvonne is one that loves her negative space. Those kind of scare me and I’m excited to possibly explore this! Large spaces with not much happening (until the machine quilting is added) is kind of scary. However she totally rocks it and embraces it in a beautiful way.
Here is a bit about Yvonne:
My company name, Quilting Jetgirl, is a blend of my professional histories and the tagline “Sewing at the Speed of Sound” is a nod to my work on the second privately funded (non-government) vehicle to break the sound barrier. I have been quilting for 20+ years and I credit quilting with helping me feel balanced and connected to both my local hometown community and a larger global community. My pattern writing is heavily influenced by my technical background, and I strongly believe that:
- You are creative.
- Nobody and nothing is perfect: You are doing your best work right now.
- The secret to success is to show up, try, learn, modify, and repeat.
- We all sew at the speed of sound; sometimes it will sound faster than others.
You can find more about Yvonne on her blog: Quilting Jet Girl
#10 Quilt Designer: Pauline from Funky Friends Factory.
Pauline is a hoot and one that I have run into quite a few times. Her fun attitude and love of plushies is awe inspiring! I am a sucker for the squeezable- so her patterns fit right into my world!
Here is a bit about her:
I’ve been sewing and knitting my own toys and dolls since I was a kid, but it took until my 30s (OK, mid-30s) to realize that you’re never too old to do what you love! I’ve always worked in the optometry field (which pays the bills) but my passion is sewing. If there’s one thing I’d love to do all day, it would be to sew.
Over the years it’s been a great joy for me to see other people get enjoyment from my creations!
You can get to know her better on her blog: Funky Friends Factory
#11 Quilt Designer: Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs
Just a little about me: By day I work as an engineer and patent agent for a private textile and chemical company. I enjoy seeing all of the new inventions being developed and I like that even if I am not sewing quilts during the day, I am still working with and learning about textiles.
We haven’t met yet…but I have watched from afar. Every year Cheryl does a Mystery Quilt (a new one was recently started!) which I love to do! The mystery and fun of seeing how others put the patterns together is so great. There are so many surprises by the end! You’ll have to definitely check it out.
You can find more about here on her blog: Meadow Mist Designs
#12 Quilt Designers: Julie and Brittany of Stitches of Love
This mother daughter team are the best! I met them at quilt market this past year an seriously they are a hoot! They were so kind and helpful and answered a whole bunch of questions that I had!
Their style– small, cute, sweet and totally something you can make in a day! They are the queens of the mug rug and wall hangings featuring applique. And, if you are really in a pinch- they sell all of them as kits as well!
Here is a bit about them: Stitches of Love is a dream come true for both us Julie Love and Brittany Love Bonda. We are a mother-daughter team working everyday to bring fun and happiness to the quilting world. That truly is our mission to make happy things. From the little mug rugs and charm pads to the big quilts like Spoolie Bird, everything we do is meant to make you smile with happiness.
You can find more about them on their blog: Stitches of Love
If you haven’t guessed it by now, these are the 12 guest designers for the quilt group. They are coming along this year with me and the members on a new year of quilting journeys. It is part of the whole group idea to explore and get introduced to new ideas, designers and styles.
These talented group of designers- just like the last couple of years are here to share a bit about themselves with the members. Each of them bring something new and fresh to the group. I love picking up a new technique or shown something that I never have thought of before!
If you are interested in the patterns they are going to be sharing with members, you should become one! You can find more info here. If you are already a member, we are in our second month and Jennifer and Leila have both shared their patterns.
Do you have a favorite designer? I’d love to hear who it is!
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Kathy Kjeldgaard says
Really nice and concise information. I will be checking in on some of these designer. I did have a difficult time reading the articles as the pop ups caused the type to disappear and they wouldn’t go away. I appreciate the need for ads but perhaps just on the top or bottom not the sides.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.