Member Spotlight – Meet Kate

Hurrah! We have a new committee! And are in the process of drawing the Wonky Star challenge which was sponsored by Handcrafters’ House and Sew Sweetness. But it’s definitely past time for a PMQG Member Spotlight, so before we make that post, let’s …

Meet Kate.

  1. _A904781Tell us a little bit about yourself – where you are from, etc.

I was born and bred in Perth, moved to London in 1997 and moved back to Perth in 2001.  I studied Art History, German and French at uni.  I am now a part time teacher and full time mother to a gorgeous nearly 3 year old boy called Matthew.

  1. Tell us about your quilting history – how/when you got started, who introduced you to quilting, what was your first quilt, etc.

I started quilting in 2009 because I wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine.  I thought it would be a good way to learn how to sew a straight line and I was hooked.  My first project was a Christmas table runner – I found the pattern on the internet and taught myself.  I soon realised my limitations and started classes with my now dear friend Trish.  My first quilt I did with her was a 9 patch lap quilt, which I still love and is the only quilt I have kept for myself so far.IMG_1085

  1. What is your favorite thing about quilting?  What is your least favourite?

I love choosing the fabrics, playing with colour and tone and scale.  I love planning a new quilt design and seeing the quilt top come together.   My least favourite part is probably sandwiching the quilts and the maths of working out how much fabric to use or to modify a block size comes a close second.  My maths is improving though!

  1. Is there a technique on your list to learn this year?

I want to improve my free motion quilting.  I do a lot with straight line designs, which I enjoy but I would love to feel comfortable taking that walking foot off.

  1. Do you like to have multiple projects going at once or do you usually finish one before starting another?

I thought it was compulsory to have lots of works in progress?  I recently sorted out my sewing room and realised that I have more projects on the go than I thought!  I do like the satisfaction of finishing something off though and work best to a deadline.  Most of my unfinished projects don’t have one and so they get pushed down the queue.

  1. Do you have a stash?  If so, any big plans for it?

Of course I have a stash!  My big plans are to admire and fondle it regularly.  Other than that I continue to use it in quilts.  I love the fact it is at the stage where I can pretty much decide to make something and everything is there – I don’t have to shop for any missing material…but I usually find an excuse to go shopping anyway.

  1. What was the best thing you brought into your sewing room/studio to help you organize it?

My Expedit storage unit!  All my fabric is now housed in cool Ikea style.  IMG_1713

  1. What is your current fabric obsession (color, line, style, etc.)?

I have developed a fondness for batiks recently and am working on a cut loose style batik quilt at the moment.  I also like the softness of the 1930s retro materials.  My safe place is bright, bold and juvenile prints.

  1. What tool could you not live without?

Just one?  Apart from the obvious rotary cutter etc I love my quilting table and my design wall, which is just some white flannel attached over our bookcases with Velcro.

  1. How many sewing machines do you have?

Just the one – a Bernina 440QE.  It does the trick.

  1. Do you do any other sewing besides quilting?IMG_1455

Although I took up quilting in order to learn how to sew I have done pitifully little since quilting took over my life.  I have made a few little things like IPod holders, nappy rolls, nursing pillows and the like but not much else.  I had grand plans to sew clothes for Matthew but I think he is growing faster than I could make them.

  1. What are you currently working on?

I have just joined a quilting bee and am doing some blocks for that.  I am working on my batik quilt, which will be for our bed.  I am also in the final stages of finishing a quilt to donate to Bethesda hospital on behalf of a friend whose husband was nursed and died there.

13.  What else do you want us to know about you?

I am a member of Giving Hands http://www.quiltingmatters.com.au/2012/giving-hands , who meet monthly to create quilts to donate to various causes.  We have just completed some children’s quilts for a women’s refuge.  I also blog about my quilting at http://jemimaquilts.blogspot.com.au/ and have a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JemimaQuilts

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