Cait Lisle designs modern quilt patterns. She finds inspiration almost everywhere – from patterns of shadows to layers in baskets and scenes in nature. Her favorite part? Selecting the fabrics to bring the designs to life.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
After dabbling in patchwork as a tool for procrastinating my exam revision when I was a teenager, I first started properly quilting just over seven years ago.
A friend asked me to go to a quilting class with her, and I fell in love with it pretty instantly! I’m not really a person who does things by halves; my first king size disappearing nine patch quilt was finished less than four months later.
I’ve always had a creative side, so it felt completely natural to start designing my own patterns. I started with “Ashley’s Star” and never looked back!
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Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration almost everywhere, from the pattern of some shadows on a wall to the interlocking layers of a basket, and especially the scenes in nature.
My “Mountain Reflections” pattern was inspired by my memories of hiking with a friend in Scotland. Recently, I’ve felt more drawn to modern art, and visiting local galleries has inspired some of my more conceptual quilts, like Threads That Bind and Halo.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I can be a bit of both, but I’d say I veer towards planner.
I occasionally have days where I sit down at my desk and emerge six hours later with a quilt. I normally like to take a more measured approach.
I keep a notebook full of ideas, and often translate these into sketches or use EQ8 to make digital mockups. I’ll stick in pieces of fabric I feel might work and then start drawing out the construction and puzzling out the math of how to actually make it!
Describe your creative space.
Having a space that I can dedicate to creativity is hugely important to me. I’m lucky enough to have a whole room for that, and I’ve designed it completely how I want it, and built in lots of accommodations to make quilting accessible, despite my fibromyalgia and other chronic health conditions.
Storage is absolutely key; I use a 5×5 IKEA Kallax for most of my fabric, books and WIPs. The IKEA pegboards are also great for storing threads, notions and rulers. I have two separate tables; one that I sit at, to sew, and one that I stand at, to cut and press. I have a supportive foam mat by the second table, so standing for long periods isn’t as hard on my joints.
I like to keep one wall clear, giving me space to hang whichever of my quilts feels most inspiring. Another key thing about my space is colour. I have boards of fabric swatches, an inspiration board with my favourite selvages and a huge variety of art. No matter where I look, there’s something to be inspired by.
https://www.caitlisledesigns.com/blog/exploring-my-sewing-space
What is your favourite storage tip for your fabric and creative supplies?
Comic boards! They’re pieces of stiff cardboard that comic book collectors use to stop comics from getting creased, but they’re also perfect for wrapping fabric around. This allows you to file your fabrics like books on a shelf, instead of dealing with messy, partially folded piles that go everywhere when you try to find something and can be overwhelming.
I love browsing my fabric “library” when I start a new project to gather inspiration and rediscover forgotten gems that might be perfect for what I need now.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I will save the bigger scraps – I love a scrappy quilt, or a scrappy binding and have lots of scrap-friendly patterns including personal favourites Rainbow Hexie and Pick And Mix.
I try to be ruthless with the smaller pieces (under 2” square): if they’re too small for me to use, they’re better off going into the textiles recycling bin instead of taking up space in a drawer.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
It depends on my mood, and what stage of sewing I’m at. Assembling and quilting a quilt on the machine can be quite noisy, so I’m likely to pick a comfort show for that – something I can dip in and out of at a moment’s notice.
For quieter times, I swing between Spotify and audiobooks. “Cinematic Chillout” is great for chill vibes, while “Running mix” is my go to when I need to get stuff done.
I recently finished re-listening to “The Gilded Crown” by Marianne Gordon in anticipation of its sequel, but I also love the gothic witchy vibes because I do believe that I stitch and bind love into every quilt I make.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I’m almost always working on more than one project at once!
I generally have a “main” quilt, that I focus my time on, but I also like to have a more long-term English Paper Piecing piece on the go.
Sometimes I see a design that just completely speaks to me, or something in my head demands to take priority.
I’ve made it a real goal of mine to never have more than 2 or 3 WIPs waiting; this helps me dedicate my creative brain space to what I’m currently working on.
Which part of the design process is your favourite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I really enjoy playing with different colours once I have an idea of the design. Different colours help me work out which shapes to emphasise and really identify the feel of a quilt.
Some quilts don’t truly come alive until you find the right colours; some might feel completely overwhelmed with patterned fabric, but look beautifully minimalistic with solids.
This is also where I find difficulty. I love all my fabrics, so it can often be tempting to use bits of everything and use them because I love them, rather than because they’re right for the piece.
I try to follow Coco Chanel’s advice here, and when I think I’ve picked out enough fabrics, I take one away. The balance between visual interest and overcrowded is a delicate one, but reusing a colour within a quilt can often add to the visual interest without overwhelming the eye.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
To use the good fabric!
It’s common knowledge in the quilt world that collecting fabric and quilting are two completely different hobbies. I find giving myself permission to use the good fabric – even if it may not be the perfect project – makes quilting a lot more fun.
Sometimes, a quilt back using some of my favourite scraps can turn a quilt I’m not super fond of into an absolute favourite. Making a quilt takes so long – it’s much more fun if you spend that time looking at fabrics you like!
What is your favourite accomplishment?
It’s quite difficult to identify a favourite accomplishment. I can quantify which are objectively impressive – my book, my recent touring exhibition, or a couple of very exciting projects coming up this year – but my favourite is more complex.
I think it might be my first time submitting a design (Triangle Dreams) to a magazine. I was proud that I was brave enough to actually do it, but also showing the belief that my art was good enough and worth something.
It can be incredibly difficult to put yourself out there for the first time, but I think I’m living proof that taking that first step can lead to amazing things!
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
There are a few different strands of this. A lot of my motivation comes with interacting with other members of the quilting community, whether that’s through social media, teaching workshops or spending time with my guild mates. I also find that art begets art – going to galleries, even for other mediums, really helps my motivation.
Something that actually really helps me to maintain interest in my work is my quilt wall. It’s a wall in my studio that has nothing else on it – I’ve hung a length of dowel and some bulldog clips.
This allows me to hang a quilt at almost any stage of the process to let my mind play with it. This might mean hanging a quilt top to contemplate quilting patterns, or a fully basted and quilted quilt to pick the perfect binding.
Taking a step back and looking at the big picture helps me get excited about the finished quilt every time I look at it.
Where can people see your work?
Anything I want to share gets posted on my Instagram @caitlisledesigns. I also have lots of exciting projects coming up with Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, so watch that space!
My website is always up-to-date with my latest patterns and news: www.caitlisledesigns.com
Interview posted April 2025
Browse through more modern quilt projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.