This little sock monkey is like a guardian of the classroom. He watches over us and makes sure we're all having fun. As you can s...
When I open the fridge and it looks like this...EMPTY of temptation it makes me feel both hungry and hopeful. It means it is time to fill it up again with good stuff. Nothing gets my attention better than a...
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
Before I reveal the results of the 2011 Material Obsession Staff Challenge I want to show you a bit of what is NEW for 2012. And, because we are slowly getting our act together, you can find the rest in...
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
15 Original Quilt Projects from Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession. Adding Layers—Color, Design, & Design, by Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession, is your illustrated guide to developing an artful understanding of your quilting process. In its 15 original projects, you’ll be inspired to experiment with textiles, tools, and techniques to create vibrant quilts. As you add these new “layers” of complexity into your designs, you’ll discover added interest and depth in your quilting experience.
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
I decided that this coming year would be devoted to re-engaging in my love for hand appliqué. To that end I fell in love with this pattern,...
Hi all! It's great to be back with an interview with the very talented Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession fame. Kathy and I had a nice chat (via email—Australia and the United States are not entirely compatible for phone calls) about bands, kids, places we've lived, oh, and quilts too! Kathy's books, quilts, and blog are filled with gorgeous fabrics and stunning photography. She taught me to look at my stash in an entirely new way, often with dynamic results! What are you working on now? My studio is full of projects! On one wall I have a quilt using my current fabric collection with Free Spirit called Flock Together made with frames of 2 1/2" hexagons and big medallion prints… on another wall I have a small work in progress using Liberty Fabrics and 1" hexagons! In a corner is a quilt inspired by an antique quilt made by Mrs. Hannaford, a quilter from long ago in Australia. On my cutting desk are five new Creative Grid rulers that I am aching to play with, and in the TV room are the final blocks of Bride and Bloom, a block-of-the-month sample I am making and need to finish!!! If I keep thinking I’ll come up with more started projects!!! Do you have a favorite quilt you've made? Yes… well actually there are several that I refer to as my favorite, sort of like Sophie’s Choice. When we make a quilt it is filled with the desire to express an idea, and it is hard to decide which is more important. However, I’d say Gypsy Kisses, a foundation-pieced Wedding Ring–style block that defines my aesthetic, but I also love Hope Hammock which is in Mixing Quilt Elements . It is a hexagon quilt that I started when I learned I had breast cancer. When I look at it I see my strength and ability to persevere despite obstacles. Do you have a favorite quilt you own (not made by you?) Once, many years back, I “taught” a group of crazy quilters we referred to as Cut Loose. They were traditional quilters looking for new ideas, and we had a blast working together. I’d set a challenge, and they would all go and make a quilt in a month. Together we made a quilt in the style of Gee’s Bend, and I love that for the memory and the style. What's on your Quilter's Bucket List? Time. I want to wake up, walk in my studio, and sew with wild abandon to my favorite radio station, Triple J. No deadlines, no objectives, no restrictions… just me and my glorious stash. That sounds like heaven! Anything non-quilt related on your bucket list? Practicing yoga every day. And just for fun, here's some lightning round questions about how you quilt: Barefoot or shoes? Weirdly, shoes. Quiet or music/movie/tv/podcast? Music!!! Salty or sweet? Salty!! Self taught or schooled? Self taught. Planned or scrappy? Scrappy. Perfect or done? Done… I hate even the word perfect and all it implies. Kathy, thanks so much for your time. Your quilts and your story are truly inspirational! Heather Kojan is a quilt teacher, lecturer, and author living in Baltimore, MD. She's the founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and a contributing author to Classic Modern Quilts. You can read more about her quilting life on her blog www.heatherkojan.com. Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Harriot by Sue Cody for Material Obsession. Applique work by Beth and quilted by Judi Madsen
Our featured designer for May is known for her eclectic style and innovative techniques. She is also the founder of Material Obsession - Sydney, Australia's most popular quilt shop, author of five books, and currently a fabric designer for Free Spirit Fabrics. Please welcome Kathy Doughty! Jen: Where were you born an
Just finished a two day show stopper Modern Wedge class in Sonoma, CA with The Broadway Quilts. Thanks to Gery for a great couple of days with lots of fun people, fab results and delicious food!!! We really explored fabric...
Tired of the same old strokes? In a method routine with design and color? Want to dive into the deep end of creativity? Of course you do! Brenda Smith, an award winning quilter, (www.serendipitypatchwork.com.au )will be doing a series of...
Life is full of opportunities, situations and considerations that require us to make choices. We make them based on our experiences, emotions and ideas. One of the things I love about quilting is it allows me to make choices based...
Recession. It is a word on everyone's lips these days. However, there are really creative ways to get around it. Take Wendy Wilson's Liberated Quilts Class. These gals are working their stashes! They are working the ideas and concepts of...
This year I have the immense pleasure of returning to the USA to teach in July 2013. The Quilters Affair in Sisters,Oregon which is to me is a mecca destination for all passionate quilters is first. Jean and Valori Wells...
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
From Material Obsession Contemporary quilt designs book
I stood in my sewing room full of frustration that hinged on anger. So many things to do and no clear path forward. Feeling a bit lost and without real intent I picked up a piece of fabric, cut a...
Okay, so I am thrilled to finally share with you the final results of this beautiful quilt, Harriot. This is...
Okay, so I am thrilled to finally share with you the final results of this beautiful quilt, Harriot. This is...
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
It is the night before the the Sisters Annual Outdoor Quilt show and the night after the week of classes. I am sruck on the word "sisters" and what it implies in the case of this week. I am fixated to
Traveling has its moments...good ones and bad ones. I have now been home for five days and the special moments of my travels float through my mind as routine resumes. People, places and things leave an impression that reshapes our...
Stacks of colourful fresh quilting ideas
Where does creativity come from and why is it so important? Personally, I am addicted to creating. I realised on Saturday that I was humming in my studio, Noah was practicing for a gig and Sam was in
Toot Toot! Board the MO express train as we chug on out of Sydney to a few exciting locations nearby and around the globe! Yes, our bags are rarely unpacked as we take Making Quilts...the promise of joy on the...
It's only been 6 weeks since the Fractured QAL started and I was so happy that we were going to take it slow, but I guess I just got on the "excitement" bandwagon with everyone else, because my top is finished! Yippee! I found the perfect backing fabric on our Saturday day trip to get apples. Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get the backing, batting, and top pin-basted together in anticipation of quilting it next week. I'm going to do something pretty simple quilting-wise... probably straight, veritical lines. I'm really liking that look these days and think it might look great with this quilt. I visited Vicki's blog earlier this morning and was surprised to see what everyone else is doing. Wanda has already started a 2nd, 3rd, & 4th quilt using the Fractured block parts and several others have started their "Red Center" quilts with their own take on it! I love that. Everyone takes the pattern and makes their own little changes to it. Kathy really started something didn't she? If you are interested in seeing everyone's progress go here! Oh Oh! I just noticed that the upper right hand corner the last 2 blocks in the 2nd row from the top are upside down! Guess I'll have to fix that right away. Glad I saw it before I got it all quilted. I also started playing around with leftover block parts, since I originally was going to start a "Red Center." Then, I saw Julia's quilt and decided I really like the "Chevron" version. I haven't decided which fabrics to use yet, but it will be scrappy for sure! Probably a little bit of everything. Take care,
