Cynthia England creates fiber art that is inspired by pictures she takes while traveling and the world around her. She uses a picture piecing technique to build her life-like art quilts. Her favorite part of the process? Picking fabrics!
How did you get started designing quilts? Always an artist, or was there a “moment”?
The Picture Piecing technique was an accident. I was working with another technique and made a mistake and the mistake worked out better than I expected.
When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
Grade school; I always loved art. I started out to be an elementary art teacher and then changed to advertising design in college.
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Your quilts are amazing, and award winning! How did you get to where you are today? How has your work changed over time?
I still make traditional quilts. When I first started quilting, I would try to learn a new technique. By experimenting, I ran across this technique and made a quilt with it. That quilt, Piece and Quiet, won Best of Show at the Houston show. After that I was asked to teach how to do the technique at guilds. That led to pattern designing.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
Multiple photographs… I pull lots of photos and then pick and choose what I like and tweak until I get a design I am happy with.
Tell us more about picture piecing. How did you discover this method and how did it change your work?
Picture Piecing is not a flip and sew or foundation method. In those, you sew through paper and have to pick it out at the end.
In Picture Piecing you are working with two patterns; one printed on regular paper and another printed on freezer paper. The freezer paper is cut apart and the regular paper pattern (Master) tells you how to put it back together. It is very forgiving.
You don’t have to sew perfectly, because you can pick the freezer paper up and just iron it closer if you don’t sew it perfect. There is no paper to pick out. You are sewing right sides together like normal sewing and there is less waste.
I have free patterns and free tutorials on my website that explain the process: www.englanddesign.com
I also have a book that is on a USB called “Picture Piecing” which explains how to take a photo and create your own quilt https://www.englanddesign.com/order/books/picture-piecing—creating-dynamic-pictorial-quilts-usb-jump-drive
I also have dvd that is on a USB called “Picture Piecing – Landscape Design Workshop”. The difference between this and the book is that I go over how to design something from start to finish.
I start out with photos from Alaska and show how to create the line drawing, how to choose fabrics, how to break up the design, then I sew it, quilt it, bind it and add decorative quilting to highlight areas. It also has a pdf of the pattern that I am showing you how to do. It is in video format that is 170 minutes long. Some people learn better reading and some learn better seeing. https://www.englanddesign.com/order/books/picture-piecing-landscape-design-workshop-usb-jump-drive
How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?
That has changed dramatically over the years.
When I started I had three children under the age of six. I did alot of work at night when they were asleep. I became good at multitasking.
I am one of those people who always has to be busy with my hands. I don’t really schedule start and stop times. Deadlines help for me. If I am inspired, I will work late into the night.
Describe your creative space.
We just moved and are building a house, so most of my stash is now in storage and will be there for another six months.
I have fabric packs for my designs so I do have bolts here that are not in storage.
Right now, I am designing new patterns instead of making large pictorial quilts. I also had projects that were in various stages that needed to be finished up, so I’m concentrating on that right now.
I have always been very fortunate to have a dedicated sewing room. After we are settled again, I am looking forward to making another large landscape.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I work on more than one project at a time for traditional quilts and pattern designing.
Although, I have found that not to be a good idea if I am working on a really large landscape. When working with a lot of fabrics it can get confusing if you stop and start. I get familiar with the fabric colors and notations when I am designing and sewing.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
Usually, for my landscape quilts, it is a photograph that I want to do. I also try to pick something that is challenging that I haven’t done before.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
For me, choosing the fabrics is the best part. The Picture Piecing technique reminds me of doing a jig-saw puzzle. Quilting is my least favorite.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
There is more than one way to do something. Quilting has so many different techniques, if you are having trouble with one, try another way. You can always rip it out, paint it. It is just fabric.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I am surrounded by fabric. I love the colors, love the feel, love the textures. I just have to do something with it.
Do you critique your own work? What is your process?
Yes. When I design a new pattern, I hang it on my design wall and write down everything I don’t like about it. I keep making it until I work out the bugs.
I might make a new design four times before I am happy with it. It is different when you are selling a pattern. That is what you are getting paid for, to work out those bugs.
It really helps to hang it on the design wall and get back from it. When I design my own landscape quilts, I don’t have to make it over and over and sometimes I can appliqué over or paint something to get the look I am after.
How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?
My Picture Pieced quilts are done in sections, so there is a definite last section. However, if I don’t have enough contrast somewhere I will try to fix it either with a new section, or embroidery, or paint.
Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned?
I think a little of both. I think most follow what it is they are good at and have fun doing. Can you learn and nurture that? Sure, but the desire has to be there in the first place.
Do you lecture or teach workshops? How can students/organizers get in touch with you to schedule an event?
I travel to guilds and seminars to teach. I have been teaching Picture Piecing technique for around 30 years. There is a booking area on my website that lists where I will be.
Where can people see your work?
One quilt that I collaborated on (with Libby Lehman and Vicki Mangum) called, Power of Houston, hangs in the George Brown convention center in Houston. When I travel to guilds, I bring quilts with me to display.
Interview posted September 2023
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