July 2013 Member Spotlight # 4 Alissa!

You may recognize our next spotlighted member from her paper piecing workshop a few months back!  This  member has been with us from the start and is now our treasurer–Alissa Clark!

Q: When did you start quilting?
A: I learned to sew when I was very young, I don’t remember exactly when. I started quilting in 2005 when my Dad was in a long hospital stay.

Q: What would you tell a newbie that you wish you had known when you started?
A: Do what you want and “rules” are NOT laws, more like guidelines. Also, find your style, and go with it.

Q: Have you always considered yourself a “modern” quilter?
A: I have, the first quilt I started (back in 2005, still working on finishing it up!) is traditional, but ever since then I’ve made modern or modern-leaning quilts.

Q: What’s your favorite sewing/quilting tip?
A: Cotton is very forgiving. You can fudge some things.

Q: Do you have a favorite quilt block, pattern or designer?
A: I love that Denyse Schmidt’s style is a blend of modern and traditional, and there are some awesome designers out there on the internet!

Q: Do you have a favorite notion or tool you can’t quilt without?
A: I can make due with just about anything or nothing, but the one thing I can’t sew without is Podcasts! I must have something to listen to while my eyes and hands are occupied.

Q: Do you quilt your own quilts?
A: I do quilt some f my own quilts. It depends of the size and vision. If I decide I want fancy quilting (like spiderweb quilting on my Halloween quilt, or artsy quilting on my art quilts) I will contact my longarmer, Brook.

Q: What’s your favorite part of the quilting process?
A: I love designing quilts on graph paper, and playing with color. I also love the quilting math, believe it or not!

Q: What part of the quilting process do you dislike or struggle with?
A: I really dislike sewing those long seams when you’re at the tail end of putting a top together.

Q: Do you design your own quilts?
A: I do design some of my own quilts, but for others I use a basic pattern (like + and X quilt), and currently I’m making one from a very strict pattern. I guess it all depends on the project itself.

Q: What inspires you to create?
A: COLOR! Color inspires me. I also love things that look like other things. For example, I made a quilt that looks like planks of wood, and then quilted it in a woodgrain pattern.

Q: Do you do any other crafts? Which ones?
A: I also knit, and I’ve dabbled in making wedding invitations. But my craft space and budget require that I focus on one thing!

Q: How many quilts have you made?
A: I’ve probably made 10-15 quilts in the years that I’ve been quilting. Not too many since I work full time.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: Right now I’m working on a quilt that is a replica of the Birth of Venus painting by Botticelli. It’s a pattern from Carolina Patchworks. I always have several other projects in various states of completion, from completed quilt top to vision in my head.

Q: What do you wish you knew how to do (quilt related) and hope to learn?
A: I would love to learn to Free Motion Quilt. My machine isn’t the fanciest, but it certainly is a workhorse, so I hope it will stand up to this test! I hope to try FMQ after the July meeting.

Q: Do you have quilt related business that you want to share with us?
A: Nope! I quilt all for my own pleasure.