Thursday, February 4, 2010

Meet Kate Conklin


Once upon a time, I was in the right place at the right time (which actually hardly ever happens to me), and I had the privilege of getting to help Kate (Kate Conklin Designs) proofread a pattern.

Kate is from Australia, is a wife and mother of two young children, a speech-language pathologist (like moi) and now a quilt designer.   Kate's patterns are available on her blog

The pattern that I got to test is called Fairy Hearts and features fairy fabric from an Australian fabric designer, Saffron Craig.  


You can purchase a kit for Kate's Fairy Hearts quilt on Saffron's blog.  


 And here are some sneak peeks at my version:


I thought about purchasing some pink fabrics to make a really girly Valentine's Day type of quilt, but then decided to just use from my stash and go for a different look (fabric-wise) from Kate's original quilt.  These are from Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottoms line with white Kona Cotton.


This was my first attempt at raw edge appliqué (as I have always done it by hand).  It's quick and easy!


Kate's instructions were quite clear and there are lots of pictures to assist you, which I always find extremely helpful.  The instructions include everything from the materials and cutting to the quilting and binding. The finished quilt size is 50" x 62", and there are also instructions for making a baby quilt.  Plus, there are instructions for making a pieced back.  I've never seen that on a pattern before.

Pieced back of Fairy Hearts quilt.

 I am totally in love with Kate's pattern Charm Bracelets.  I hope you check out Kate's blog!

 

Thanks, Kate for the great opportunity!  I loved doing it!


The fabrics for my two quilting bees have arrived and both contained Kona coal, but will be very different blocks. Stayed tuned.



One of the fabrics in one of my January bees led to a fun online fabric swap between myself and Kelly (Purple Paisley Patch) after she expressed a liking for the center fabric in this block on flickr:


I sent her 1/4 yard and threw in some purple paisley-like fabric.  She was supposed to send me a Heather Bailey Pop Garden fat quarter, but today I received two Heather Bailey FQs in the mail from her:


I love them!  And isn't that a cute little card?!  I look at those adorable little birds and one word comes to mind: appliqué!  Thanks for the great fabric, Kelly.  I hope you like yours as much as I like mine!

I have next week off, and although my social calendar is rapidly filling up with lunch and coffee dates, I plan on doing some damage on my bee blocks, Sue Ross BOM, and  the quilts I owe for two different pay it forwards. I want to finish my Fairy Hearts quilt top, and  I have a few more baby quilts to make!  And I may start a Charm Bracelets quilt!  I'm also looking forward to fabric shopping and lunch with some hip quilting chicks from the Portland Modern Quilt Guild!  The amount of sewing I get done remains to be seen, but it's going to be a great week off!

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

19 comments:

  1. Love your colour choices for Kates Fairy Hearts quilt. Can't wait to see the finished top.

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  2. What a fun post Joan, I know Saffron Craig fabrics and they are great. Your version of the quilt is looking wonderful.

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  3. I love how that quilt makes up in the Bell Bottoms! And it sounds like you have a great time planned for your days off. I am envious!

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  4. it all looks great...love the colors you picked.

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  5. Don't you just love clear patterns. I bet it was fun. I like the colors you picked out for your quilt.

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  6. I love Kate's quilt and oh, I just love that fairy fabric. Thanks for the links. Your version is equally as delightful!

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  7. Katie's quilt is gorgeous, and I love the fabrics she used. But your version with Jennifer's fabrics is stunning! You know I love JP's fabrics, and I love how you pieced them with the white, making all those bright colors really stand out. Great job with your new project!

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  8. If we lived closer, I'd be on the calendar for lunch and shopping! Thank you for introducing us to Kate and her quilts. I just love the hearts and nine patches and yours is going to be drop-dead gorgeous!

    I like our new challenge for the ISQBee! Just waiting for my machine to come home sew I can get to work.

    Enjoy your fabrics, blocks and time off!

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  9. That is going to be such a cute quilt!!!

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  10. I love the fabrics you're using Joan, and the plain squares on the nine patch really do show off the fabric. Your raw edge applique is fantastic, so much neater than mine! I can't wait to see how you quilt this. Thank you so much for testing out the pattern for me. You picked up some really important things. Its amazing the friendships that can develop half way across the world when quilting is involved :)

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  11. Love the fabrics you chose for the hearts! now I want to try raw edge applique too. Did you fuse first or just pin and sew? Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. FAB-YOU-LOUS!!! LOVE it ALL!!! Cheers! Have a TERRIFIC week off!!!

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  13. I love the Jennifer Paganelli fabrics! Your version is so pretty!

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  14. What a tribute to you to be asked to be her pattern tester. It shows she admires your work as well. I like your variation.

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  15. oooh Joan, that heart quilt is going to be awesome with those Jpaganelli fabrics! I can't wait to see it!

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  16. Joan the raw edge quilting is so very very pretty please show it in Sis Boom sightings on flickr folks would love to seee..

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  17. I love the patterns you chose! There is something about hearts in colors other than pink that makes me smile. I can't wait to see it finished!!

    Also, I'm a bit behind, so I didn't get a chance to give you a "hooray" about your new modern quilt guild! I have such a blast at mine, and have met so many wonderful and talented (not to mention, like minded) women....it has been nothing short of amazing. With all the talented women you guys have up there in Portland, I am sure yours will be just the same.

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  18. How awesome your heart quilt is!

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  19. I have been weak kneed over Jennifer Paganelli fabrics lately. Your hearts make me swoon!!! How fun to get to play with a pattern before anyone else?!? Off to check out her blog!
    Blessings,
    KT

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