Kathy K. Wylie

She is charming and down to earth, and can make you stop in your tracks when you see her quilts.   She won what some say, is the biggest quilting award in North America, and she is Canada's own quilting sensation.  It is my pleasure to introduce Kathy K. Wylie.

Please tell us a little about yourself outside of your quilting career.

I was born and raised in Ottawa, ON. After graduating from McGill University with a business degree, I moved to Toronto to begin a career in marketing with IBM Canada. Seven years later, I resigned to stay at home and raise my family. This was when I started quilting.

I now live in Whitby, ON with my husband and two sons (when they are home from university) and enjoy spending summers at our cottage in Muskoka.

You have won numerous awards, including one of the big ones at Houston, can you elaborate on your success as a quilter?

I entered my first quilting competition in 2002, the “Great Lakes, Great Quilts” Challenge. My quilt “Lake Ontario Fan” was accepted as one of 17 finalists and came in third place. As a result of going to see the exhibit in Houston, I saw the amazing work being done by quilters around the world and what I needed to do to make my work better.

"Instruments of Praise"

I continued to enter my work into a variety of competitions, learning more about my art and craft with each one. “Instruments of Praise” received the Bernina Machine Workmanship Award at the American Quilter’s Society show in Paducah and now resides in the U.S. National Quilt Museum. “Flourish on the Vine” was honoured with the International Quilt Association Founders’ Award last fall in Houston.

"Flourish on the Vine"

Kathy, you have one book published, did I read somewhere you have another one coming out?

My first book is called Sewflakes: Papercut Applique Quilts. It was published by C&T Publishing in 2008.

C&T is also publishing Pattern Packs for my quilts “Flourish on the Vine” and “Instruments of Praise”. Pattern Packs are an ideal format for an applique quilt. Inside the glossy 8 1/2” x 12” cardboard envelope are full-size pattern drawings and a 16-page colour instruction booklet. The pattern for "Flourish on the Vine" is out now and "Instruments of Praise" will be available next June.

Tell us a little about your work as a quilt author?  

Writing a quilting book was a dream of mine. I remember attending the professional development sessions at Quilt Canada 2004 to hear the sessions on publishing and pattern designing. I had an idea; I just had to figure out what to do about it.

I downloaded the submission guidelines from two or three publishers. I decided to start with C&T Publishing because of their excellent photography and the “look and feel” of their books. Carefully following the guidelines, I completed my proposal and submitted it in June 2006. The proposal included a questionnaire, sample chapter, sample project, plus two quilt samples. It wasn’t until November that I learned that C&T had accepted my proposal!

We agreed on a deadline of May 2007, which would mean the book would be released in May 2008. There were some intense moments, but the process went smoothly for the most part. I was in a good position since most, if not all, of the quilts were already completed so I wasn’t scrambling to finish quilts and a manuscript at the same time.

Editors are great and they make my work better. Still, it was sometimes a challenge to clearly communicate the changes/edits I wanted made. It was so much easier this last time around, now that technology offers so many more options!

Writing a book is very much like making a quilt. It is a creative challenge; there is a lot of editing and problem-solving required along the way; it takes time and energy; and the end result is extremely rewarding. 

Your quilts show a lot of hand appliqué work, is this a favourite technique? 

Yes, hand applique has really emerged as my signature technique. I have always liked hand work and now that I quilt exclusively by machine, I find my quiet meditative enjoyment in the applique. I also find that I have the most control and get the best results with needle-turn applique.

Your quilts have been related to passages/terms in the Bible, is that a source of inspiration for you?

Definitely! Thank you for asking. My faith and my relationship with God are very important to me. He has given me this gift of quilting and I want to use it to honour and glorify Him.

How do you go about designing/coming up with an idea of a quilt and getting that onto fabric?

There are three main tools I use for designing:

1. Computer - I find EQ Quilt Design software very helpful for auditioning layouts, border widths, even fabrics. Some quilts have been designed exclusively in EQ; others in part. But I find it indispensable! I also use CorelDraw software for drawing, editing clip art, or manipulating images/photos.

2. Paper and pencil (and eraser!) - Sometimes it’s still easier to do it by hand - especially the hand applique motifs. I often work in combination with the computer: scanning my hand drawings or tracing my computer printouts.

3. Design wall - Here is where the actual fabrics get placed into the design. It is risky business to rely on the computer screen for this - it has to be live. I might use EQ for colour schemes, but I still want to see the actual fabrics working together on the design wall before stitching them into the quilt.

Close up of "Flourish on the Vine"

What are some of your favourite aspects of quilting?

As long as I’m being creative, I’m not unhappy. I think my favourite times are quietly stitching my applique or machine quilting my quilt into life. But I receive great joy and energy from quilters at guild meetings and students in the classroom. The challenge is finding balance between the two!

How often do you get into your studio?

Not as often as I would like! (Doesn’t everyone say this?) My strategy this fall has been working really well: I have scheduled a minimum of one day per week as studio time on my calendar. I treat it as an appointment and won’t schedule anything else on those days if I can help it.

Hand applique doesn’t require studio time and I find I am able to get in a couple hours most evenings.

If you could describe your studio in a few sentences, what would you say?  

Well, I actually have two studios…

My home studio is a room in the basement. It has two tables in the middle of the room, surrounded by book shelves filled with fabric, books, thread, notions, and tools. It is a comfortable and efficient workspace - not always as tidy as I would like.

Home Studio

My cottage studio is new, so therefore blessedly uncluttered. It has three walls of windows and is filled with natural light. It looks out over the side yard and I can even see glimpses of the lake. I am still learning how to manage the back-and-forth, but I’m not complaining about finally having a dedicated space to create in the summer months!

Cottage Studio

What is your favourite food while quilting?

Um, there’s no food while quilting! a) I couldn’t possibly eat and stitch at the same time and b) I wouldn’t want to get my quilt dirty! I do like to have a bottle of water nearby.

Introducing Iona Harrietha

Iona Harrietha is one of CQA/ACC's professional members located in Welland, Ontario.  As a Long Arm quilter, pattern designer and teacher, she is a gal on the go.   

My quilting career began in 1990's. The funny thing is, I didn't even sew until then. I tried to rent a sewing machine for my first project because I was sure I would never use it again. When I went to the store, they had one I could purchase for $30.00. Good enough for sewing jersey vests for a hockey game. However, while I was in the store I spied these beautiful quilts hanging with signs on them for classes. Well, one thing led to another and the next thing I knew, I was asking for a sewing machine for Christmas and signing up for a January class. I wanted to try everything. I went from student, to teacher, to designer and now Long Arm Quilter.

I purchased my Long Arm quilting machine in the summer of 2011. I decided on a Handi Quilter Avante because I was familiar with the machine. I was impressed with how user friendly the machine was and the reasonable price. I choose to use 100% cotton thread as I like the weight of it and the way it shows a little more than the finer threads. I have purchased commercial pantographs, but am now designing my own. I thoroughly enjoy this because it allows me to use the perfect pattern for each quilt.

I began quilting for customers on a regular basis in March of 2012. I decided to start my own home based business called "Nonie's Needle and Thread". I have recently published my website which promotes the different aspects of my company, such as long arm quilting, my original patterns, actual and online classes.
Long Arm quilting has become more and more popular in the past few years for a couple of reasons. The first, I believe is because the Long Arm quilters have evolved into artists in their own right. They have moved outside of simple pantographs to custom work that truly highlights the quilts pattern and piecing. Secondly, I think the idea of finishing a quilt quickly is appealing. Sometimes its necessity, but really the bottom line is the more quilts you finish, the more you can make and the more fabric you can buy.

My tip for long arming or even free motion quilting on a domestic machine is to let the quilt tell you how it needs to be quilted. Look for open spaces and try to use a design that enhances the quilt’s pattern and the piecing. Sometimes the quilting can overpower the quilt and that should not be the objective of it. Keep in mind that the piecing was a lot of work and the quilting should show that off.

My tip for long arming or even free motion quilting on a domestic machine is to let the quilt tell you how it needs to be quilted. Look for open spaces and try to use a design that enhances the quilt’s pattern and the piecing. Sometimes the quilting can overpower the quilt and that should not be the objective of it. Keep in mind that the piecing was a lot of work and the quilting should show that off.

 

'Courtly Steps' 

Original Design by Iona Harrietha

3D Pinwheels

Quilted by Iona Harrietha

It has been a pleasure getting to know you Iona!

Introducing Diane Carson

Here is a lady that accomplishes so much in a little amount of time, and has wonderful insight into the world of long arm quilting.   I am pleased to introduce you to Diane Carson.

Can you tell us a little about your quilting career?

My cousin called one day and asked if I would go with her to a local guild meeting. I was blown away by the show and tell. I signed up for a workshop right away. That was in 1985. In 1999 after my husband took a job transfer and I had to leave mine, I got to enjoy staying at home, so I began looking for something to do that would keep me home. I had never heard of longarming but read about it in a magazine and called the Gammill company for a video. Not long after that I ordered a machine over the phone without even a test drive. There were no dealers in Ontario so it had to come from MO.  Also lessons were only available in Springfield, Illinois at a  Machine Quilters Showcase which I attended every year for the next few years.   

Diane Carson with 'Pillars of Islam' 2010

When did you start long arm quilting?  

After I got my machine I quilted a few of my own quilts and some close friends quilts before I really got into the business in 2000.  

 "It's the Berrie's" Quilt Show June 2012

Tell us about the Canadian Machine Quilters Association.

In 2000 I was a founding member of the CMQA and our goal was to promote machine quilting and educate quilters. Now ten years later a lot has changed and we came to the conclusion that we had realized that goal. At Quilt Ontario 2011 we merged with CQA/ACC. There is no longer a CMQA, but in the end that is how you got me as a Longarm Representative for CQA/ACC. I hope longarmers can contact me ( bcarson@hay.com) if they have questions that need to be brought to the CQA/ACC Board and I would also like longarmers in Canada to feel they too can shine at Quilt Canada. A longarm category has been added to the NJS which is a great advancement for Longarmers and shows acceptance. This is a good thing that I believe came about because of the CMQA being there.       

                Viewer's Choice  "Fussy Cut Fixation"  CQA Ribbon

                Pieced by Anne Beaudoin, Quilted by Diane Carson

Why long arm quilting?  What is the perk or benefit of it that encourages people to try it and then pursue this avenue for quilting their quilts?  

For me it was being able to work at home and that is probably why some machines are bought. If you have to finish the laundry or housework before you get to the longarm, this business is probably not for you. It takes a lot of discipline and  is a lonely job most days.  The other perk is  meeting quilters and seeing the fantastic quilts being made today. I like to fit in at least 2 of my own quilts on the longarm every year, which sometimes is hard to do .  There are a lot of 'toppers' working faster then we are.

What do you see is the future for long arm quilting? 

Well I think we're here to stay and I see some very impressive quilting happening. I don't think you can stop the momentum.   

Do you think there is much more they can do to advance the long arm machine? 

This I'm not sure of, not having an advanced machine.  But I do try the new ones out  when I get to the big quilt shows.  They are really amazing. 

 In my spare time I take my friends to Quilt Shows

Can you give the readers some tips for long arm quilting? 
To the longarmers I want to tell them they are performing a very worthwhile and sometimes tedious task, but never under sell yourself. If we think we are not worth it, what will our clients think.  I have this saying in my studio. "There are 3 types of work, Fast, Cheap & Good. You can pick two. If you want it fast and good - it won't be cheap. If you want it cheap and good - it won't be fast. If you want it fast and cheap - it won't be good." 

If I had to pick one tip for the Toppers (our clients) I would ask them to please PRESS.  We can do a much better job for you when this one step is done. For me, a quilt is not quilted properly unless it has been stabilized with 'Stitch in the Ditch' ( a technique longarmers find difficult, time consuming and try to avoid), and if a top is pressed it makes this job so much easier.  

 

What is your favourite food while quilting?   

Well I am a lucky lady and every fall my husband and I travel to PA.  I get to the Amish fabric shops and he gets to the antique car shows which happen to be in Hershey . We usually bring home a years supply of chocolate. Do you know any quilters that would not like that?  Did I mention that the chocolate is all usually gone in 3 months so I switch to Chai Tea Latte. 

Thank you so much Diane for the insight into the world of longarm quilting.   If you hear a knock on your door, it is just me asking for some chocolate.

Meet Professional Member - Pamela Allen

Pamela Allen is one of those rare quilters that sticks with you.   We all have different tastes when it comes to quilts, but Ms. Allen creates such works of art that no matter your quilting preference, you can't help but remember her quilts.  That is a true gift.   Not only that, but this quilter can inspire her students.  Having been fortunate enough to take a workshop with her, I know that Pamela is a motivating and very patient instructor.  

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in Kingston, a small university city on Lake Ontario . Lucky me....I married my professor of painting when I had returned to university for a BFA in my thirties.  As a result, I have acquired 16 grand and great grandchildren which makes for a lively family life!  I am on the cusp of becoming a bona fide senior citizen next year. The most significant element of this is that I will finally have a small, reliable income in the form of old age pension.  Who knew I would welcome THAT particular milestone?  When I am not working in my studio, I am reading, or cooking/baking, or cycling, or tracking family members for our Family Tree.

My Town Markey Square

What got you into quilting?

Haha!  It certainly wasn't any skill I had as a seamstress!  As a full time painter and sometime collage artist, it occurred to me that some of my images would work well in fabric.  In fact a friend who IS a quilter, made a beautiful wall piece based on a collage I had done in coloured and patterned paper.  I was still hesitant because of my abysmal sewing, but at the same time discovered my hero, Susan Shie.  Her work was all about what fabric can do as an art medium, and not about perfect stitching, quilting or binding.  After spending a week at her Art Camp in Ohio, I was hooked.  I have been working in textiles exclusively since 2001 and loving it.

Is there a technique in quilting you are passionate about?

I am not so much a technique person, as I am passionate about creating FINE art in the fabric medium. To me that means taking advantage of all the characteristics of fabric to make a unique and recognizable art piece. Those characteristics such as the fact that it frays, it comes in delicious patterns and colours, you can scrunch it, pleat it, fold it, and dye it. You can cut it up and reassemble it into a new form or design.  The possibilities are infinite once you give yourself permission to try anything. This of course is the definition of creativity anyway, no matter what the medium.

What are some of your favourite things about quilting?    

Very quickly I discovered that quilting and particularly art quilting is a huge sisterhood (with a few brothers), who are eager to mentor, give technical assistance and offer  advice.  Furthermore there are many, many opportunities for a professional fabric artist to enter juried shows, international shows, and museum shows. As a corollary, becoming active in the shows brings offers to teach.  I love teaching, and find it stimulating for my own work as well as a way to meet and enjoy fellow companions in the field.  I was honoured this year to receive the Teacher of the Year Award by the International Association of Professional Quilters.  Although I am not a member of a guild, I do keep in touch with literally thousands of fellow quilters online by belonging to the quiltart list and Studio Art QuiltsAssociation.    I also offer three or four online quilt workshops each year. 

A Rather Attractive Prison

Does anything frustrate you when it comes to quilting?

Hmmm, alas it now seems I have a bit of a reputation about the issue of judging art quilts.  Many times I have posted or written letters about art quilts being judged using the same strict  criteria as bed quilts.  I believe the two are apples and oranges. Art quilts should be viewed and judged as would a painting for instance. Based on the artistic merit, design, composition etc., and not on whether the stitching is even, or if there are knots on the back! I liken it to an art judge criticizing a painting because the staples are not evenly distributed on the stretcher frame!  I'm not sure I have convinced anybody yet though!

Neutral Still Life

What is your next quilt related goal?

Well jokingly I refer to myself as a "quilt show slut" because I enter so many shows. There is some rationale to this strategy.  I make a lot of new work each year and want as many people to see them as possible. Also I am aiming for a higher and higher level of acceptance.   For years I dutifully try for Quilt National and Visions quilt shows, as they are considered the crème de la crème of fabric venues. So far, no luck with the former but I have had ONE quilt shown at Visions. So I guess one of my goals is to be accepted at Quilt National.

As an artist my ongoing goal is simply to get better, and not be satisfied with what has gone before. In some cases this has meant changing my style somewhat, or changing my palette, or subject matter, or even scale.  These experiments keep me on my creative toes so to speak, and interested in what I am doing. They are not always successful or even liked by some viewers, but art-making is risk taking and living with the consequences.  Otherwise work can become mundane and boring. Right now I am working in a limited palette of fairly monochromatic colours. Quite different from my usual in-your-face brightness. Also I am exploring landscape, cityscape, and interiors rather more than my former figure compositions.

What is your favourite food to eat while quilting?

What a great question. And furthermore, very a propos as I am a BIG food person. I snack on frozen treats, mixed nuts, chocolate, toast and cheese.  But never when I am working. My husband says I am an accident waiting to happen and if I ate while I worked, food spills would be part of the "surface design" on my fabrics.

Nocturne Brewers Mills

We certainly look forward to following Pamela's career as she continues on her journey!

CQA/ACC Website

Hello!

I want to take you on a little trip and tell you about our website.   If you are like me, you go there when you are looking for specific information such as the Call For Entry (CFE) for the National Juried Show (NJS) or to see who to contact about getting a rosette.   Have you ever taken the time to see all that the CQA/ACC website has to offer?

Please don't tell anyone, but I hadn't, till I sat down to write this post.  Am I ever glad I did! Wow, there is a ton of information on the website.   I am going to highlight some of it, and am hoping this encourages you to go and take a closer look.

'Under the Leaves', by Laine Canivet

This piece was in the Fredericton  NJS in 2003

Under the 'Members' tab there are many free downloadable 'Publications', such as 'CQA/ACC Quilting Standards in French and English, How to Organize a Workshop, Teaching Children' and much more.
There is also a 'Members Only' section where you the member, get entry into a closed off part of the site.  They just finished a mystery quilt and are gearing up for something totally exciting, so stay tuned!  If you still want to do that mystery quilt, all the chapters are posted now.

The next tab is 'Quilt Professionals' and this is a huge list of those related to the quilting industry.  You can sort by Name, Business, Province or Services.  This is a perfect tool when travelling across Canada, you can search the different provinces you are off to see.

'Events' is my favourite place to spend time.   It tells me all the events going on across Canada as well as challenges that CQA/ACC has in place.  Check out the 'How Far Can You Stitch' Challenge starting September 1, 2012.  You will definitely want to take part in that!   For a chance to win prizes and a one-year free membership, check out the 'Sign Up a Friend Contest'.

'Awards' is a good read.  It talks about the three main awards that CQA/ACC gives out and showcases the past winners and has applications available.

My other favourite place to check out is 'Galleries'.   You can see the National Juried Show and Trend-Tex winners from the past five years.  I go here sometimes just to find inspiration.

Sponsors is another tab that I often take a look at.   Here are the wonderful businesses and guilds that make CQA/ACC what it is today.   We are so thankful for their continued support in Canadian quilting.

'Contact' is the last tab at the top.   Here you can see all the people that are ready and willing to help you out, answer your questions or guide you in the right direction.

I encourage you to go and take a look and I hope you enjoy perusing our website.  Leave a comment and tell me which was your favourite part of it!  I would love to know.

'Dedication', by Laine Canivet

This piece was presented in 2011 to His Honour Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of BC.

Meet One of CQA/ACC's Professional Members

If you go to our website, we have a special tab for you to find our Professional Members.   This is great when you want to find a quilt shop, long arm quilter, lecturer or teacher.    I thought it would be fun to get to know them a little better.

I randomly selected Christina Doucette and asked her if she was willing to be the guinea pig, I mean first interviewee.   She is a spunky gal and agreed.   Without further ado, let's get to know Ms. Doucette.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Christina Doucette (Nee Recoskie) and I am 37 years old, living in Cochrane, ON, married to Roy Doucette, and we have one son Lucas, who is turning 7 this summer.  We also have a pet, Indy, which is a cat-breed Munchkin - you gotta look them up. (I did and it turns out they have very short legs and totally adorable)  I had a home photography business before moving back to Cochrane, and do quilting, sewing, and the newest hobby is knitting - which I have learnt through my own store this spring by our knitting/crochet instructor, Mrs. Anne Dyas.

My own overall pattern. Medallion and Celtic Border adapted from book: Celtic Quilts (That Patchwork Place) by Beth Ann Williams, pieced by myself.

Quilted by Long Arm Machine Quilter - Catherine Timm (http://www.catherinetimm.com/)

What got you into quilting?

 Actually, I had no intention on quilting as a hobby - it found me in 2003.  I hadn't sewn since I was 12 years old and that was on an antique Singer treadle machine. I decided to buy my first used electric sewing machine, and headed to the fabric store to buy something to practice sewing on.  During that visit, I entered a draw to win a new sewing machine.   Two days later, I received the call on my 28th birthday no less, that I had won the sewing machine.   I knew that I  had to learn how to use it so I went to my LQS (Algonquin Sewing Center in Pembroke, ON) and signed up for the NEXT sewing class available. Turns out it was a placemat quilting class schedule for the very next day and I leapt at the chance.  Much to my surprise I found out that  I loved quilting and never looked back!  I adore the mathematical and precision of  making a quilt. I needed to know EVERYTHING about it and master it all.

You now own a store , tell us how that impacts your love of quilting?

Upon moving back to my hometown of Cochrane, ON in May 2011, I was disappointed that we still didn't have a fun and creative local quilting store for me to enjoy.  I began thinking about how it would be nice to fulfill my retirement dream of owning my own storefront someday.  Turned out someday was February 7th, 2012!  That was the day I opened my doors to the Northern Ontario market. NeedleWorks Studio Canada was born! A  creative learning center with retail store carrying knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, and embroidery supplies. We have an online store at http://www.needleworkscanada.ca/

My first ever quilt - from a quilting class. It was on placemats and I made a lap quilt instead!

Does anything frustrate you when it comes to quilting?

Yes, of course!  I get frustrated when I don't have the right tools at hand. That's why my sewing room is as big as it is - I need it all!  I love quilting gadgets to make the process more enjoyable. To be honest, I wouldn't be quilting if it wasn't for the tools available on the market today. 

Please explain why you say your store is  ‘green certified’.

Since I have a background in Environmental Biology, I felt it important to make "green" choices when opening my store.  It became apparent that with all the "green" choices that I was making, a proper certification would be in order to show commitment to our environment. Hence, I completed the required paperwork and earned our "Green Certification" in January 2012 - even before the store was opened.  We are proud to recycle our garbage, use energy efficient lighting and office equipment, offer project ideas on repurposing, and requests for information/class materials are not printed - but rather emailed when possible.   We use donated/recycled plastic bags (never new), carry organic, recycled, eco fabrics/yarns, as well as many many other initiatives that can go a long way to helping reduce operating costs yet benefiting the environment.  It is definitely a win/win situation!

Thanks Christine, it was a pleasure getting to know you!