• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Create Whimsy

Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

  • Quilting
    • Free Quilt Patterns
    • Art Quilts
    • Modern Quilting
    • English Paper Piecing (EPP)
    • Foundation Piecing
    • Crazy Quilting
    • Improv Quilting
    • Quilt Tutorials
    • Machine Quilting
    • Hand Quilting
  • Embroidery
    • Hand Embroidery
    • Machine Embroidery
    • Sashiko
    • Embroidery Tutorials
  • Beading
    • Bead Embroidery
    • Off-Loom Bead Weaving
  • Sewing
    • Making Clothes
      • Costumes
    • Bags
    • Babies
  • MORE
    • Surface Design
      • Eco Printing and Dyeing
    • Appliqué
      • Fusing
    • Jewelry Making
      • Wirework
      • Handmade Bracelets
      • Handmade Necklaces
    • Mixed Media
      • Collage Art
    • Kumihimo
    • Weaving
    • Crochet
    • Knitting
    • DIY Organization
      • Decorative Containers
    • DIY Home Décor
      • DIY Throw Pillows
    • Recycle DIY
    • Felting
    • DIY Gift Ideas
    • Crafts
    • Occasions
      • Easter
      • Mothers Day
      • Fathers Day
      • Fourth of July
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • DIY Valentine Ideas
    • Paper Crafting
    • Metalsmithing
    • Painting & Drawing
    • Pottery-Ceramics
    • Toys & Games
    • Sculpture

Spotlight: Erin Russek, Quilter and Pattern Designer

Spotlight: Erin Russek, Quilter and Pattern Designer

Appliqué Quilting Spotlightby Create Whimsy

When you find something you love to do and it feeds you creatively, it’s okay to follow quilter and designer Erin Russek’s lead and pursue it with joy. As an appliqué artist, Erin has found a medium she loves so much she can’t keep it to herself, so she shares free lessons and tips for her signature appliqué methods on her website.

Erin Russek profile picture

What inspires you to create?

Nature is my biggest inspiration. I’m just in love with flowers and leaves. 

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners. Your purchases via these links may benefit Create Whimsy. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

How did you get started designing quilts? Always an artist, or was there a “moment”?

I had been working on a series of appliqué block patterns so I could practice my techniques and I wanted a larger block to set them with that would tie the design together. Instead of using another pattern from someone else I decided to turn one of many, many drawings into a pattern, and just LOVED the process!

My Tweets quilt by Erin Russek
My Tweets

Tell us about your first quilt. What was the design? Why did you make it? Does it still exist?

My first quilt was a queen-sized Ohio Star from Quilt in a Day. I loved the way the blocks were constructed. It was like magic! I made it for my bed because I was living in upstate New York at the time and I was freezing all the time. That was over 30 years ago and I didn’t do a good job quilting it so it fell apart.

How has your work changed over the years? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?

When I first started quilting I was mostly piecing with a touch of appliqué. But now it’s mostly appliqué that I design myself. I would say my signature style is simple and whimsical.

Chocolate Bonbons by Erin Russek
Chocolate Bonbons

Is there a part of your process you enjoy most? Why?

The designing and the stitching. Picking the fabrics is the most challenging.

Tell us about your website. What do you hope people will gain by visiting?

My website is filled with free appliqué patterns and tutorials because I’m on a mission to get as many people appliquéing as possible! It’s not as hard as people think, so I hope they can see that by visiting my website.

Critters quilt by Erin Russek
Critters

What is the most important takeaway you want readers to gain from your new book, Jingle Quilt: Piece & Applique a Holiday Heirloom?

I’m hoping that people can make the quilt then fall in love with combining appliqué and piecing!

When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?

I’m a planner…but I’ve learned that you have to leave a little room for some magical accidents.

Erin's worktable in her studio

Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?

I do. It is my sanctuary, and it’s very neat. I cannot create when there is visual chaos.

Erin's studio showing fabric storage

What are the indispensable tools and materials in your studio? How do they improve your work?

I pre-make all my appliqués before stitching them. This technique is very user friendly and absolutely makes my designs work. To do this I cannot live without heat-resistant template plastic, an iron, starch, needles and thread. 

Erin's ironing mat in her studio

Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?

I do use a sketchbook that I draw in almost every day. All my designs start here as doodles.

Doodles by Erin

What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?

It depends on what I am doing. When I’m designing or picking fabrics I need silence. Once I know what I’m doing and prepping my appliqué or stitching I like to have audiobooks on. It’s like story time at school but even better because I’m sewing, too.

Do you think that creativity comes naturally to people, or do you think creativity is a skill that people can learn? 

I think we are all naturally creative and once we find what we really love then it comes down to practice.

How can people overcome the challenges they feel to their creative ability?

I think people can be easily overwhelmed when being creative, so my advice would be to just do a little something, but do it EVERY DAY.

Erin's sketchbook

How do you get unstuck creatively?

I doodle or walk my dog or both.

Erin Russek Quote

If you were no longer able to quilt, how else would you express your creativity? 

Perish the thought! But I hope I can draw and paint until I die.

Inquiring minds want to know. UFOs: taunts from the shadows or lessons learned? 

Oh! Interesting question! I used to think I needed to finish everything I started. Now I realize that sometimes it’s wise to know when to quit, so I would say lessons learned.

Check out more about Erin on her website.
Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Interview posted February 2021


Browse through more appliqué projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.


Facebook Comments

Sharing is caring!

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Primary Sidebar

Newest Stories

Grouping of small amurgami space creatures crocheted by Vincent

Spotlight: Vincent Green-Hite, Crochet Designer

Large octupus squish crocheted by Tamara Kelly

Spotlight: Tamara Kelly, Crochet Designer

A woven wall hanging in progress by Allyson Rousseau

Spotlight: Allyson Rousseau, Fiber Artist

Nature Nurture painting by Tawnee Corning

Spotlight: Tawnee Corning, Artist

Popular Posts

Crumb quilting heart postcard

Crumb Quilting

Attic Window finished

Attic Window Quilt Pattern

Finished pojagi window hanging

How to Make a Pojagi Curtain

Embroidery Transfer with a Frixiron pen

7 Ways to Transfer your Embroidery Design to Fabric

Finished jelly roll rug

How to Make a Jelly Roll Rug

Fabric folded and fabric wrapped on comic book boards

Best Fabric Storage Ideas

Free Quilt Patterns

Finished shamrock quilt block

Shamrock Quilt Pattern

Rail fence quilt top sewn together from jelly roll strips

Rail Fence Quilt Pattern

Courthouse Steps final sewn together

Courthouse Steps Quilt Pattern

Crumb quilting heart postcard

Crumb Quilting

quarter log cabin layout option 2

Quarter Log Cabin Quilt Pattern

Wonky Log cabin quilt finished

Wonky Log Cabin Quilt Pattern

You Also Might Like

  • Log Cabin Quilt Pattern
  • Disappearing Four Patch
  • Monkey Wrench Quilt Block
  • Pineapple Quilt Block

More Free Quilt Patterns

Footer

Learn More

  • About
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Browse

  • Occasions
  • Destinations

Makers

Spotlight Stories

Marketing for Makers / Biz Tips

Participate

Copyright © 2023 · Create Whimsy®

0 shares