ModBLOCK Contributor: Meet Amy Ellis

Today we are introducing yet another fabulous contributor to our ModBLOCK Magazine! We were so thrilled to be able to work with Moda fabric designer and author, Amy Ellis! She’s the greatest! Enjoy this little Q&A we did with her!

Meet Amy Ellis

Meet Amy Ellis

Amy’s projects in ModBLOCK are ‘River Log Cabin’ featuring her new fabric line, ‘Modern Neutrals‘,  ‘Rainbow Dreams’ and ‘Star Dust’

Log cabin
Star dust screen shot

What is your sewing/quilting/crafting/art background?

I learned to sew garments as a girl, and loved all things fabric, even in college when I didn’t have time or the means to sew, I would wander through fabric shops just to pet the pretty fabrics. I then taught myself to quilt when my kids were young, and I needed some creative therapy in my life. Almost seven years ago now, I started a blog (AmysCreativeSide.com) and was inspired to make quilts that I had been designing in my sketch book.

How did you get started in this business?
I got started writing books, by taking the first step and submitted a proposal. It’s been a whirlwind of creative messes and busyness ever since!

Tell us about your collection(s) and /or pattern style.
I love clean and clear colors, with geometric shapes and pattern in my fabric. My quilt patterns are unique and modern, while still being a little traditional in the construction methods, and settings.

What are you inspired by?
I love to take everything in, but most often I’m inspired by home decor trends. Graphic wall papers, rugs, even tile work, and throw pillows have made it to my inspiration boards!

How would you describe your style?
Modern in that I like to design original quilt blocks, but still traditional in that the techniques I use are the tried and true methods that quilters have been using for years.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your design process?
I love to share what I’m working on, as I work on it, and when I have tons of secret sewing, it’s a big no, no to share it. Not sharing a pile of book quilts for almost a year is a huge challenge!

Do you have an online presence on social media?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyscreativeside
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/parkcitygirl/
Instagram: @amyscreativeside

Are there any releases or upcoming events you have coming up that you’d like us to know about?
Think Big : Quilts, Runners, and Pillows from 18” Blocks (Dec, 2014)

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Hardanger – my grandma loves this needlecraft, and I think it could be an exciting texture addition to my quilts. (Pretty random though, huh?)

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Writing a book in two months was a huge challenge! Thankfully I had some friends that were willing to help with piecing, and everything was delivered on time.

Do you have a signature color? If not, what would it be?
Any shade of grey, I love the depth and dimension in the various shades together.

What is your favorite fabric line of all time?
Wonderland by Momo with the new Avant Garden being a close second.

Is there an experience or accomplishment you are most proud of?
Submitting that first proposal, was a really big risk personally! It was so hard to take my ideas and hand them over, and wait for the verdict, but it paid off, and I’m proud of the accomplishments that have accumulated since then too!

Thank you so much, Amy! Don’t miss the other Q&A’s on the ModBLOCK contributors! 🙂

ModBLOCK Contributor: Meet Alexia Abegg

We are so happy and excited to announce the release of this special edition of BLOCK Magazine.  ModBLOCK is just a modern twist on the awesome publication we have already created.  Ten gorgeous, modern patterns with detailed instructions, beautiful photography and of course, no ads.  We hope you love it!

For this special edition, we’ve collaborated with some amazingly talented people, so we want to introduce you to them!  We have loved working with all of them!

We asked each contributor a series of questions, so you could get to know them and their style a little bit better.  Check back soon because we’ll be featuring each one!

Meet Alexia Abegg.

Alexia C+S

Alexia’s project in ModBlock is ‘Noted’

lovenotes3

What is your sewing/quilting/crafting/art background?

My mother taught me how to sew and quilt when I was young but my love for quilting really blossomed when I worked at the City Quilter in New York. I studied fashion and fine art in school and worked in production in my twenties, all of which has helped in my current work as a fabric and pattern designer.

How did you get started in this business?

I developed a few sewing patterns while working at the City Quilter and when my husband and I moved back to Nashville I opened a small sewing studio and taught classes. I also worked with Anna Maria Horner and she brought me along to my first quilt market in 2010. That cemented my desire to be a part of this amazing community of makers. My mom, Michelle Abegg, along with my husband Rob Bancroft, also a fabric designer, and I started Green Bee design & patterns together.

Tell us about your collection(s) and /or pattern style.

Most of my fabric designs begin as watercolor paintings so they have a bit of an irregular, hand drawn quality to them. My latest collection with Cotton + Steel was inspired by my childhood trips to the American southwest with my family. My dad would make up games for my sisters and I, we would collect plants and seeds and press them, and everyday we painted in our watercolor journals.

What are you inspired by?

Everything! I love learning, and trying new things, and a change of scenery or visiting a new city always inspires me.

How would you describe your style?

My style is a bit of a lot of things…mid-century vintage, grandma’s linen closet, daily sketchbook paintings, whimsical, and colorful.

What are some of your greatest challenges in your design process?

The best work happens when I’m really inspired. So I guess it’s just a constant push to stay inspired. Reading, seeing movies and traveling all get me going, so I try to do one of those things when I’m feeling spent.

Do you have an online presence on social media?

Facebook: Green Bee Design & Patterns

Pinterest: alexiastitches

Instagram: @alexiastitches

www.greenbeepatterns.com

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I would love to learn to fly airplanes, my grandfather was a pilot and I’ve always been intrigued!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Start a small business.

Who are your creative inspirations, heroes?

Mary Blair, Tammis Keefe, Andy Warhol.

Do you have a signature color? If not, what would it be?

Turquoise

What is your favorite quilting tool you use all the time?

I love my Hera marker, it’s great for making marks on fabric that don’t have to be washed to remove them!

Are there any releases or upcoming information that you’d like to share with us?

We are launching three new patterns in January, the Modern Baby Set, xoxo quilt, and the On Holiday Bag and Mesa. My new line with Cotton + Steel will be out early 15′ as well.

Thanks, Alexia!  Check back often as we introduce the other contributors for ModBlock!

Block Magazine December Issue!

It’s getting cold outside, which always makes me want to curl up in a warm blanket by the fire with some hot cocoa and my favorite book.  Just in time, our latest issue of Block Magazine has arrived!  This issue is special to us… it focuses on the things that we really love and cherish.  Family, memories and doing the things we love.  Get to know Jenny, her children and grandchildren, as they give us a peek at some of their favorite holiday memories and traditions.  This issue also features some really amazing projects that you’ll definitely want to add to your quilting bucket list (I know you have one!).

Patchwork Stockings

Here’s a little glimpse of what you can find in the issue.

Charmed Spools Quilt - MSQC

First, we have the Charmed Spools Quilt.  Earlier this month, Jenny did a wonderful tutorial on this quilt pattern.  It is so cute with the tall spools and inviting colors… I can just imagine a smaller version hanging on my sewing room wall!  If you would love to make this quilt, you can follow all the details in the following link (including the fabrics to buy, etc.)

The Charmed Spools Quilt

missouristarOf course we had to create our own Missouri Star pattern.  We would love for each of our amazing customers to have their own Missouri Star quilt in their homes to wrap around themselves as if we’re giving each one of you a giant hug!  If there was a way to actually give each one of you a hug from us, we would make it happen!  Perhaps this quilt is the closest thing to that!  Either way, this is a beautiful pattern that will always look stunning!

Our Missouri Star Quilt

MSQC Patchwork StockingsThe Patchwork Stocking is so fun and simple.  I love projects that look more difficult than they really are and this is one of those… This is a quick, one day project, so it’s would be great to give as a gift or hang them all over your house and it will look like you put your heart and soul into it without having to give up an arm and a leg at the same time!

The Patchwork Stocking

illusionblockThe Illusion Block Quilt is just so much fun!  We’ve been asked many times if there is a pattern for this block and now there is!  Whether you decide to use solids or prints, this is definitely going to make a big impact wherever you put it! We just love it!

The Illusion Block Quilt

I love to dresdenplacemathave something quilted on my holiday table.  I can pick out my favorite Christmas fabrics and have something completely unique to go along with all of the delicious food that comes with the holidays.  I love this Dresden Placemat project!  Change up the fabrics and you could have beautiful placemats for every season.  I can even imagine a special birthday placemat that comes out for a child’s special day.  Such a sweet pattern and so versatile!

The Dresden Placemat

We love this time of year where we get to stop and think about what is really the most important to us.  We hope this issue of Block reflects that because we sure enjoyed creating it!  This is just a few of the many projects in the issue.  For Block susbscribers, if you haven’t received your issue yet, don’t worry, it’s on its way!!

Missouri Star Quilt Co's Jenny Doan