| Having had my own studio space now for about | | | | Simply Quilts or Quilt Central on TV for a while. I |
| three years, I thought perhaps I could share some of | | | | guarantee you'll see some image, some pattern, |
| my experiences about becoming an art quilter.The | | | | some technique that you would like to try.The third |
| first requisite is that you have a passion for fabrics. | | | | requisite is that you have access to a sewing |
| All kinds of fabrics, cottons, cotton blends, silks, | | | | machine, if not your own, a friend's or family-owned |
| organzas, tulles, yes, even rayons. You love the | | | | machine. Go check out the new machines, you'll be |
| texture of things.I had been sewing my own clothes | | | | amazed at what they can do nowadays! You can |
| since secondary school in Finland where I grew up. | | | | also find a used one at garage sales, a flea market or |
| The fabric selection was minimal really because the | | | | a newspaper ad. The sewing machine is your friend, |
| emphasis was on home decorator fabrics like | | | | the most important tool you'll need as you begin |
| Marimekko. NOW Marimekko graphics are used for | | | | creating exciting things.The fourth requisite is that |
| everything, including rubber boots, and they're really | | | | you free yourself up from limited thinking about |
| cute!!!During my married life, I used a lot of textiles to | | | | works and what doesn't work. Many older techniques |
| decorate the home, you know, curtains, pillows, | | | | and views are being thrown out the window in favor |
| tablecloths, napkins, etc. I wasn't really thinking of | | | | of new ides and new techniques. This is not to say |
| quilting until I saw a demo by Eleanor Burns in 1978 in | | | | that you should give up good construction techniques |
| a mall fabric store and I decided to make a bed quilt | | | | and settle for something thrown together in a hurry, |
| with different color strips of fabric. A pattern we | | | | with threads hanging all over and unfinished details.So, |
| know as Log Cabin, very basic, very old, very easy | | | | this is how you begin your creative fabric art journey! |
| and fun to do.Then in 2002 my husband was | | | | There will be more tips in future articles. In the |
| seriously ill, came home and needed lots of attending | | | | meantime, you can check out my website at: and |
| to. I had to find something I could do at home to | | | | see if you find something that inspires you to try this |
| pass the time, to stimulate my creative juices and to | | | | art form!Good luck and have fun!Katrina Sjoberg has |
| take my mind off the everyday challenges and | | | | worked as a fabric artist for the past 3 years, |
| problems. So I started to go to the fabric stores, | | | | designing her own wall quilts in her studio space in |
| looked at magazines, found some interesting books | | | | Vista, CA. She is very happy that many have |
| and began sewing again.So, the second requisite is | | | | enjoyed and continue to appreciate her unique |
| that you like to explore, to read, to go to classes, to | | | | designs and she continues to experiment with a |
| be willing to just start sewing something! You never | | | | variety of textures, paints, surface embellishments |
| know what's going to ignite your creativity - watch | | | | and fabrics. |