Guest Blogger: Riel Nason:
So, a bit about the creative process of writing verses the creative process of quilting … I actually haven’t been quilting for too long, so when I wrote The Town That Drowned in 2008, I didn’t quilt. BUT, during the editing process, after the book had been acquired by the publisher, I was definitely hooked 100% on quilting. A chance to sit down at my machine and sew was the treat I had to look forward to after I put in a good morning of editing. I am taking a bit of a writing break now with the promo for the novel going on, but I am still quilting up a storm. Halloween is my favourite holiday of the year, and I’ve made a number of Halloween projects this fall.
So, a bit about the creative process of writing verses the creative process of quilting … I actually haven’t been quilting for too long, so when I wrote The Town That Drowned in 2008, I didn’t quilt. BUT, during the editing process, after the book had been acquired by the publisher, I was definitely hooked 100% on quilting. A chance to sit down at my machine and sew was the treat I had to look forward to after I put in a good morning of editing. I am taking a bit of a writing break now with the promo for the novel going on, but I am still quilting up a storm. Halloween is my favourite holiday of the year, and I’ve made a number of Halloween projects this fall.
When I write, my process is to jot a bunch of little ideas down, details, funny lines, maybe a partial outline, and then I just dive in writing, starting at the beginning and going through chronologically to the end. When I quilt, it is actually very much the same. I don’t use patterns, and I free piece. Sometimes I draw a very rough sketch, list a few ideas down about details to include, then I choose some fabric and start cutting. I make it up as I go along. Quite honestly, I make a lot of mistakes and always have my seam ripper handy. When I start a quilt, I generally like to work on it straight through as well, beginning to end.
As to the type of quilts I make, I like bright colours, scraps, quilts with lots of little pieces and different fabrics and – most of all – I love selvage quilting. I love the recycling aspect of using selvages, the fact that it is a modern variant of scrap quilting, that selvages are tiny little bits of fabric and, of course, selvages have writing on them! My selvage quilts are the ones that challenge me the most and are my favourites of all the quilts I’ve made.
Thanks so much Victoria for letting me chat a bit here!
More info about the novel can be found at www.rielnason.com
WOW! what eye candy right? I love her free pieced spirit! and her eye for color makes me dance! THANK SO MUCH!!!
Congrats on the Book, Riel! It's so nice oto hear more about you!
Would you like to win a copy of Riel's book?
Leave me a comment here and tell me:
Have you made a selvage quilt?
Do you prefer to free piece?
or use a pattern to make your quilts?
Love working with selvages. I hoard them. Sure was fun to see these awesome quilts. Wow!
ReplyDeleteHere goes... another chance at winning what sounds like a fabulous book. I love Riel and her blog and quilts. She does have a keen sense of style and color. Her work is fun! As for me... you know how I roll, right?
ReplyDeleteI haven't made a selvage quilt, but I have made a selvage book cover.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to make my own patterns - but then I free piece some of it. And I definitely free piece backings.
I am saving up my selvedges for the ultimate quilt project- just not sure what it is yet! I loooove free piecing!
ReplyDeleteI have never done a selvage quilt, but I love the look of them. I haven't been a quilter very long, so I use a pattern to make quilts.
ReplyDeleteI have never worked with selvages to make a quilt but they sure do look amazing. Patterns are a problem with me as I usually mess up somewhere along the way, so it is free piecing or winging it!! hehehe
ReplyDeleteNo selvage quilt, and I am still working up nerve to free piece since I am from a very rules oriented background with 30 + years working in a field where following rules was absolutely necessary. Lives at stake and all that!
ReplyDeletePlease include me in your drawing. I came over from Riel's site. I love Riel's quilting style... I love play. It seems I do my best work through play and improv.
ReplyDeleteThose Halloween selvage quilts are great. Love the mummy quilt to pieces! So clever!
I notice on your sidebar that you did the power suit Challenge, so did I! It was fun, wasn't it?
no selvedge quilt
ReplyDeleteunderstanding that I've always free pieced on way or another
Enjoy patterns so I can change them.
I've been saving selvages for a year or so now (and have my friends saving for me too!), and have slated a selvage project for Jan 2012. I'm usually a pattern-driven quilter, but have been branching out lately and enjoy piecing in a more free-form style. That's what I like about quilting...something for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI'm a relativelty new quilter and don't have enough selveges to do anything (yet).
ReplyDeleteI create my own patterns but I have also done free/improvised piecing too.
No, I have not yet made a selvage quilt. I'm collecting, them, though, so I can make a bookshelf selvage quilt.
ReplyDeleteI really have no construction style preferences! I *love* any way of attaching pieces of fabric together in a creative process, although I'll take any speed-tricks or simplifications I can think of if it does not detract from the desired result. I also love patterns and love free-forming
I've never made a selvege quilt, although I've collected quite a few selveges (which I will probably just send to Riel). I tend to use patterns when I quilt - I like to know where I'm going so even if it's my own design, it's planned and sketched.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read Riel's book!
I have never made a selvedge quilt, but after seeing "Mummy Wants Fabric" I HAD to start saving my selvedges! I have a neat little container now. Otherwise, it's all 4-patches or 9-patches or free patterns off the internet.
ReplyDeleteHaven't made a selvege quilt, YET, and I've come to learn that I love to free-piece so much more than following a pattern!
ReplyDeleteI use my selvages to tie up the plants in the garden. I generally start with a pattern of my own design, then change it part way through (to avoid having to use the seam ripper where I messed up.)
ReplyDeleteNo selvage quilts yet. I have trouble being tooooo random on the free piecing so I usually need a plan. I will often design my own ideas, but at least need a starting point.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win Riel's book. What a great give-away!
I love your mummy! I started saving my selvages about 6 months ago. It's going to take a while, but I'm planning a selvage quilt someday. I usually use patterns but tweek them to suit me.
ReplyDeleteI usually start with a pattern in mind and then the fabric starts to speak to me and off we go. I don't think I have ever followed a pattern all the way to the end. I love to sit at my machine and often loose track of time when I am in my sewing room.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the book.
I have never worked selvages into a quilt, but I do use them as part of the giftwrapping, using them as ribbons and sewing them into fluffy bows.
ReplyDeleteI love the playfulness of Riel's quilts. One reminds me of backgamond. The books sounds good too! I was raised in a small town, we have a dam built for flood control in the 30's, but I, not my little brother (or four other siblings) was the wierd one of the family, lol.
Victoria, you really gave me a start when I began reading this post I thought "OH, MY, she writes novels too!"
Thanks for the eye candy, the book suggestion and the inspiration.
I have never made a selvage quilt but love what Riel has created. I definitely am a pattern person when it comes to any kind of sewing. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Riel's book!
ReplyDeleteI have never made a selvage quilt,but think they are unique. I use patterns for quilts because I am not very crafty. Thanks for the chance to win Riel's book. I have been a follower of her for a while now.
ReplyDeletecarrotcake55@sbcglobal.net
I haven't made a selvage quilt, but I want to (I'm collecting selvages at the moment). I prefer to free piece as whenever I try to follow a pattern it never quite works for me. Thanks for the chance. I would love to have this book!
ReplyDeleteI have never made a selvage quilt. I often use a pattern of a block for inspiration and then design my own quilt my own way.
ReplyDeleteSeems like i always start with a pattern in mind, but then things happen. I have been enjoying "making" fabric and both of your blogs.
ReplyDeleteI've been cutting and saving selvages for a while, but unless I go in and cut the selvages off all the fabric I have, I will not have enough for a long time. I usually work from a pattern, but I am inspired by Riel.
ReplyDeleteI love following Riel's blog. She is super creative (and a wonderful writer).
ReplyDeleteI have used selvages on smaller projects - bags, small quilts and postcards, but I would really love a large quilt done in selvages.
I have NOT made a selvedge quilt, but, after looking at these two, I just may have to start collecting selvedges instead of giving them away. Cute quilts.
ReplyDeleteYay Riel! I'm excited for this book!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to make a selvedge anything, but have saved up a few pieces.
I love free piecing. I guess I'm not that fond of following patterns. Mostly because I like to use my stash, and wouldn't have the exact yardages that patterns ask for.
More fun to dig in the stash and create!
I'm saving!! Have only made a cover for my ereader. It was fun! Would love to win Riel's book.
ReplyDeleteLove her quilts, especially the last two......I'm just not a Halloween or spider person! I've never used the selvages in a quilt.....but I've seen some amazing quilts (and totes) made from them on the blogs.....makes me wish I had saved all those through the years!
ReplyDeleteI have been saving a few selvages for a book shelf quilt I have in the planning stages. The selvages are for the spines of the books, novel names, etc. I can't wait to start.
ReplyDeleteI've been saving selvages for awhile now for a special something and I've got a pretty big supply. Now to just figure out what I want to do!
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer free piecing to a pattern. When I use a pattern, I usually change it at least a little
I haven't done anything with selvages yet but am saving them as I like the look of several of the things I see online. I do like free piecing but somehow it all comes out wonky? So for now patterns are the safer option..
ReplyDeleteI have never made anything..yet...with selvages. I love to free piece...and I love to sew from regular patterns...but I tweak them a bit. Usually I choose fabrics that represent my taste and style.
ReplyDeleteWell, Hello!! I have found you through Reil's site - she sent me here!! And in answer to your quetions - no, I have not made a selvage quilt, but I have made a mug rug out of them that I won't use because I don't want to stain it!! I like it to much!! But I will use it....eventually!!
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking I will do a string quilt using my selvages!! So right now, I am still collecting, and people would wounder what I am thinking if something happened to me and they had to clean my 'creativity room'!!!
As for how do I piece? I follow a pattern. No, I do not design my own stuff - there is so much I have see of other people ideas and work that I LOVE, that I am very content to do what they have mapped out, with my own fabrics and flair!!!
Nice to meet you! I am sure I will visit again!!
Yes, yes, yes, I'd love a copy of Riel's book. I love her work. I haven't done a selvage quilt yet, but I've put the call out to my guild to send their selvages my way if they don't want them. I like to free piece. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely obsessed about selvages. I even started an etsy shop based on selvages. so I feel like Riel is a kindred spirit! I'm reading her book right now (and highly recommend it!!) but would love to have another copy to use as a Christmas gift.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great interview.
I like to design each stage as I go, as it takes the fun out to make all the decisions up front. Selvedges go with the trimmings in a bin for future pet-bed projects.
ReplyDeleteRiel's book looks fun, thanks for the chance.
Hi I have never worked with selvages and the first time I ever saw one was on Riel's site. I am starting to save them and will have a go at something at some stage. I am very new to quilting and am learning as I go along.
ReplyDeleteCheers Oriel
I would LOVE to do a selvedge quilt, but saving enough selvedges for one is going to kill me. Love the quilts!
ReplyDeleteyes, I have made a selvedge quilt - and loved it... but Mummy Wants Fabric is just the most fabulous use of selvedge ever!!
ReplyDeleteHow FUN! Yes I love selvedges but have only made a journal cover and a couple of potholders for my sewing friend fiends! I love to free piece but I'm not very good and VERY thankful there are so many great pattern designers out there! The book looks GREAT!
ReplyDeleteI have been collecting selvedges but I don't have enough for a quilt - soon though. I love to make quilts that spring out of my imagination. I know I'm tired when I just want to follow a pattern.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, as usual--The Mummy quilt is perfect! I also really liked your Power Suit quilt.
ReplyDeletebest, nadia
I'm equally in love with free piecing and following a pattern- I just follow my mood!
ReplyDeleteormondbeach@yahoo.com
Made a whole selvage quilt? No, but several bags, and I'm in the process of making a pillow. Guess you can say I'm working up to a quilt. I used patterns when I first began quilting, more than 30 years ago. Since I think I've nearly seen it all, I no longer use a pattern unless it's something specific. My favorite go-to book for quilt inspiration is Barbara Brackman's "Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns." Thanks for this giveaway. Riel's quilts are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove both of your selvage quilts, but the quote on the mummy quilt is hilarious! :) I love the bright colored fabrics you incorporate into your quilts! WOW- your quilts really "POP"!
ReplyDeleteNo, I have not made a selvage quilt. Instead I give ALL my selvages to a friend who has made purses, wallets, table runners, bags, lap robes, and probably more ...all from selvages!
I usually use patterns, but have done several of my own 'designs'! My favorite type of free piecing is what I call "Crumb" blocks. Fun to sew..and definitely a NO-BRAINER to construct! lol
I just started saving selvages last year so I don't have enough yet for a big project, but I will! I do a combination of free piece and pattern quilts. I use a pattern if I want a particular block, but I don't "follow the pattern" for a whole project.
ReplyDeleteI love those selvage quilts - so special! Thanks for letting us in on both your processes.
Hi! Thank you for this lovely giveaway! I haven't made any selvage quilt - yet - but Riel has really inspired me with her amazing works! I like to free piece and work with scraps. I don't know if I could follow a pattern because when doing something I plan all the time during the work and get more and more ideas.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a copy of Riel's book! I quilt, without patterns, also. I haven't made a selvage quilt, yet! I've followed Riel's blog a's well as well as her Mothers great nature blog, too.
ReplyDeleteI saw that book a few weeks ago and I wondered if it was the same Riel! I have made selvege projetcs, but not a quilt, LOVE free-piecing, and I sometimes use a pattern but I VERY rarely follow the pattern. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have been saving selvedges but haven't made anything with them - yet. I usually alternate between using a pattern and making my own pattern. The book looks very interesting. I just read more about it on Amazon. It seems to be one that could go into the middle school library where I work. Thanks for the chance to win. Love the use of selvedges in Riel's quilts!! So fun!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't made a selvage quilt. I usually follow a pattern but add my own twist to it. Have made several quilts of my own. Don't like it when someone has to follow a quilt made by someone else right down to the tiniest detail. Our individuality should show up in our work.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Hi! I am currently working on acquiring enough selvidges to make a full size quilt. I have used them in the past on small projects. I have a tote bag that
ReplyDeleteI really like. Thanks for the chance to win! Happy Stitching to all!!
Hi, I haven't made a selvage quilt yet, but I'm saving like mad to have enough to make one. I quite like the "free-spiritedness" of free piecing, I often follow a basic pattern as an idea when free piecing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
I bought Riel's quilt at my local bookstore last week (supporting both a fellow quilter and a family owned business makes me HAPPY!). My plan for the weekend, when I get tired of sewing, is to READ!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the spiderweb quilt created from selvedges. Thanks for sharing your talent!
ReplyDelete