Heather Akerberg loves puzzles, and designing quilts is very much about solving puzzles! Many of her projects start with a concept or question that she is grappling with and how that could be represented with simple shapes and color.
When did you first start selling your designs and patterns?
My first quilt pattern, Shuttle, was released in February 2022. I’ve designed and released 7 modern quilt patterns since then. I generally only release 1 or 2 patterns per year.
This year, I only plan to release one. I’m currently in the final stages of testing the pattern and will release it this summer sometime.
Do you use a sketchbook, journal, or technology to plan or keep track of ideas? How does that help your work develop?
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Many of my designs start as a sketch on graph paper. Then, I take that sketch and create a to-scale mockup in Adobe Illustrator. Once it’s in Illustrator, I can make adjustments and develop a color palette using digital fabric swatches.
Working in design software allows me to make changes and try out different sizes, orientations, and color palettes without using precious fabric. It also gives me a chance to think through construction. And, because I work with an illustration that is to scale, it’s easy for me to make templates, if needed.
Overall, I think technology helps me get to a final design faster and work more precisely.
Describe your creative space.
Within the last year, I moved to a new home where I have a dedicated sewing room for the first time. Previously, I worked on my dining room table. I had basically taken over the entire dining room for sewing. Now, I have a dedicated sewing room with a large design wall, fabric storage and a large working table where I cut, iron and sew.
What are the indispensable tools and materials in your studio? How do they improve your work?
The most indispensable tool for me is probably my seam picker/awl combo tool. Precision is important to me; that means seams will need to be picked and re-sewn more frequently than I would like. This tool supports precise piecing in two ways: picking out inaccurate seams and helping me to guide fabric through my machine. The awl is really handy when sewing curves or areas where several seams intersect.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I save scraps! Even the smallest pieces of fabric. I hate the thought of them going to a landfill, so I save them and find uses for them. I sort the pieces that are able to be sewn into warm, cool and neutral bins, and my thread scraps and tiny bits go into a bin. I share my tips for quilt fabric storage on my blog.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Most of the time, I work on one project at a time from start to finish. However, recently, I’m finding that I have two or more projects in the works. This is mainly influenced by how much freetime I have (I work a full-time job) and deadlines for shows.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
Many of my projects start with a concept or question in my life that I’m grappling with. I’ll ask myself how that could be represented with simple shapes or ask myself “what if”. I’m often trying to express a feeling or an idea. It comes out as color and shape.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I love puzzles, and quilt design is very much about solving puzzles. I like the creative spark and playing with color and shape. Then, the challenge of figuring out how to simplify construction or how to get the best results.
How has your work evolved over the years? Is there a common thread (pun intended!) across the years?
Circles, stripes, transparency and color. Those threads definitely weave through my quilts. I do think that as I’ve gained skills and become more confident I am more willing to just go for it. I hold myself back less now.
Do you prefer the kind of project that is challenging and requires attention, or the kind where you get in your meditative zone and enjoy the process?
Both. I think all quilt projects offer opportunities for both focus and meditative moments. This is a big reason why I quilt. It fulfills so many needs. Creative expression, focus and attention to detail, meditative repetition. It’s all flow state and very restorative.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
Maintaining boundaries around my personal time and not allowing my day job to creep in too much is key. I need to have brain space which means I need to preserve my energy for the things that matter to me: Quilting. Exhaustion is a motivation killer. Eliminate what exhausts you and protect what feeds and inspires you.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Peggy Black recently told me to not let fear and self-doubt hold me back, to just keep working. She happened to say that to me at the exact moment that I needed to hear it.
How do you keep track of your work and shows that you’ve entered? What works for you?
I have a spreadsheet where I keep an inventory of my quilts. I also use a free version of Asana to keep track of quilt shows – submission deadlines, shipping dates, etc. Asana is super handy because you can make the show recur each year, so you don’t have to recreate the calendar every year—you just have to shift dates slightly.
Where can people see your work?
I have a quilt on display at Quilt National 2025 right now. That show will travel for the next two years to San Jose, San Diego and several other destinations. After the exhibit is done touring, that quilt will go to the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE as part of their permanent collection. You can also find me on Instagram, and see my work in the gallery on my website.
Interview posted June 2025
Browse through more modern quilt inspiration on Create Whimsy.