Lindsay Conner collected a wealth of information from talented and accomplished art quilters, then organized it all into a volume that is sure to be a go-to reference for many fiber artists. Fabulous illustrations accompany every topic from design theory to finishing techniques.
Visual Guide to Art Quilting: Explore Innovative Processes, Techniques & Styles is an encyclopedic collection of techniques, recommendations and advice. How did you pull so many ideas together into a single organized volume? What inspired the diverse chapter topics?
Art quilting is really a diverse topic with so many styles of work and artists that call this their “comfy spot.” There had to be a large number of topics to encapsulate all that art quilting is, and the techniques themselves are really interesting! As a quilter that got my start in more traditional piecing and has branched out into applique, I’ve discovered that there are so many ways to dye fabric, embellish a quilt, paint or print designs to textiles, and give them a unique texture. I feel like compiling this book has opened me up to a world of possibilities and new ways to “break the rules” of traditional quilting.
What is the most important takeaway you want readers to gain from the book?
Play and have fun with your art quilts! Anything goes. You can plan out your approach and think through the concept of your art, or you can just improvise. Either way, it’s important to know that you are an artist, and with the techniques in this book from so many experts in the field, your craft will grow.
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How long have you been creating? How did you get started? When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
I started playing with embroidery floss and polymer clay as a young girl. My mom was really creative, so I always figured it was in my genes! I got my first sewing machine as an adult though, and making quilts and handmade bags is my favorite craft–the one that inspires me the most today. I’ve been a sewing blogger since 2008, and have written several books and magazine articles about sewing and quilting.
When is your most productive creative time? How do you make time for creating?
I love to sew at night, after my son has gone to bed. Sometimes, I only have time to look through books or jot down ideas for inspiration. But I know I can always return to my sewing machine when the house is quiet.
How often do you start a new project?
I am one of the rare quilters who likes to finish one quilt before starting the next. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a few orphan blocks or unfinished projects, but I generally start a new quilt every month, unless I’m in the middle of a book deadline–in which case, I may go the whole summer!
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I use a nook in our master bedroom for my sewing space. There’s enough open floor space to baste a quilt, and I can stash away my large cutting mat out of the way when I’m not using it. I use the walk-in closet, my cube shelves, or the basement for storing fabric of all kinds.
Tell us about your blogs and website.
I blog at www.lindsaysews.com and www.craftbuds.com. You can follow me on social media at @lindsaysews (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaysews/ and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lindsaysews/) or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/lindsaysews.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on another book project with C&T Publishing. I’ll keep the details quiet for now, but I’m working on more 3-D sewing (as opposed to quilts), so that makes for a fun challenge!
Interview posted October 2018
Browse through all more quilting projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.