We have been so pleased this year to be working with another incredible line up of designers for the 2023 Quilter’s Planner, and we want to tell you all about them! Throughout the month of August, we will interview each of our designers, share more about them and tell you about their 2023 Quilter’s Planner patterns.
Our first Quilter’s Planner 2023 designer is Claire Campion of Made Just Sew. Claire partnered with us to design the 2023 Quilter’s Planner Sew Along, the River Avon quilt.
Claire is a modern quilt designer and teacher, based in Stratford Upon Avon in the UK. She has always had a love for sewing which was reignited when her children were born and she needed a creative outlet for herself. It wasn’t long before quilts were the only thing she wanted to sew. In 2020, during the pandemic, when Claire was stuck between never-ending online lessons with her kids home-schooling, she designed her first quilt pattern, the Retro Metro Quilt. It was a way she could still channel her creativity when life wouldn’t allow much time behind the sewing machine. Since then, Claire has immersed herself into the quilt-designing world and is inspired by modern geometric designs and repeated patterns. Though not formally educated in art or teaching, Claire has excelled as a quilting teacher, winning the Big Janome Skill Share in 2021. What makes her unique is her passion for quilting and a passion for sharing what she has learned.
Claire’s pattern, the River Avon quilt, is a medallion pattern that we will assemble from the inside out as the year progresses. And because we know that the months leading into the holidays can be busy, we will finish our sew along quilts in September 2023! More details about the sew along -including scheduling and prizes- will be shared next month.
What was the most fun part of doing this project?
The best part for me was making it for the first time after we had all settled on how we would break it up for the BOM and seeing it come together with such ease. I’m really excited for everyone to make it and have the same feelings.
What is your quilt design process?
I use a programme called ‘ Graphic’ on my Mac and simply start by playing with shapes. I much prefer using my laptop over pencil drawing as I find it much easier process to move things around and play with colors.
What type of fabrics are you drawn to?
Bright and happy colors!
Would you say you have a distinctive style?
Apparently I do, but I didn’t realize until my quilt friends mentioned it recently.
How and when did you start quilting?
I started around 7 years ago. I wanted to make things for my daughter’s room when she was a baby which soon led to making keepsake quilts from her old baby clothes – which is how I started Made Just Sew. Over the years my passion for quilts has grown and when the pandemic hit I decided to take the leap into designing and making my own quilt patterns. I am constantly learning and finding new techniques, and love that this craft has led to so much.
Tell me about a favorite project you’ve made.
Well this is one of them! Every quilt holds a special memory, it is really hard to choose.
Where in the world are you located? Can you tell us a bit about how your area inspires your work?
I am based in the UK, in Stratford Upon Avon, the town William Shakespeare grew up in and home of the famous Royal Shakespeare Theater. It is an extremely picturesque town that is full of character and history with abundance of creativity and art that definitely influences and enhances my work. From the beautiful setting of the Avon River along the theater to the geometric architecture of the buildings. I feel like I absorb it without knowing which feeds into my work.
Tell us a bit about where you do your sewing.
I have a small studio/office space in our home. It’s not very big at all but it is all mine and that means a lot when I have to share the house with kids and husband who still isn’t back in the office since the pandemic!
What are your designing or quilting goals for 2023?
I really hope to make more patterns and launch some on-line workshops! So let me know what content you would love to see from me!
What are you making now?
Currently working on my new pattern the Sirocco Quilt and my 3rd pattern for Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine.
What is the one quilting tool you can’t live without?
Walking foot! I would not be able to quilt any of my own quilts without it!
What type of sewing machine do you use?
I am super lucky and have a Janome Continental M7 – which was my prize for winning the Big Janome Skill Share last year. It is a dream of a machine and I pinch myself a lot that it’s mine! (You can read all about the Big Janome Skill Share over on my blog)
Keep up to date and follow Claire’s quilt journey over on Instagram @madejustsew
The River Avon pattern is found exclusively in the 2023 Quilter’s Planner. Planners go on sale soon; be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you’ll be among the first to know when we open sales!
