In this, our final designer feature week, we meet Canadian Quilter, Brett Lewis. As well as being a quilt pattern designer, fabric designer and teacher, Brett found time to design and make the stunning Range Road Quilt for the 2022 Quilter’s Planner and we caught up with him to find out more about it.
Thank you so much for designing such a beautiful project for our 2022 Quilter’s Planner! Why did you decide to make this quilt, and can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind it?
The Range Road quilt is a fun, quick, and beginner friendly project that showcases larger scale print fabrics beautifully due to the large block sizes. The overall look of the quilt can really change based on fabric and color selection, which I love! The pattern was inspired from rural drives in the country, on Range Roads where one might catch a glimpse of something spectacular.
Tell us a little about the fabrics you worked with for your project.
I used a selection of my newest fabric collection, Prairie Meadow, as well as Northcott Colorworks solids. I wanted to create a contemporary, whimsical quilt that made your eye wander, so I chose teal, cream, and peach-colored fabrics for a bright, fresh vibe.
How do you go about designing quilts and projects? What is your design process?
I use Electric Quilt EQ8 software for designing all of my projects. I love playing around with pre-made blocks, adjusting block size and layout, then plugging fabric into them and watching a quilt come to life.
What type of fabrics are you drawn to? Would you say you have a distinctive style?
I love bright bold prints, generally high contrast. I love nature’s flora and flauna; that is a central theme you will see in the fabrics I design. I also love a great low volume blender as I sew a lot of foundation paper piecing, and these fabrics are great for achieving high contrast. They really make New York beauty or flying geese blocks pop!
Tell us a bit about your sewing space. Do you have a dedicated space or are you making space on the kitchen table?
Once sewing and quilting at the kitchen table started to overtake the main floor of our 1950’s house, I created a dedicated sewing studio. I now have a lovely sewing studio that is, on occasion well organized, with good lighting and is my zen space.
What techniques do you really enjoy?
I love foundation paper piecing, fussy cutting, and sewing curves. I also really love English paper piecing.
What is your favorite feature of the Quilter’s Planner?
The reference charts, as well as the project planner section.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Coffee.
What do you want to do more of in 2022? We’d love to know!
Social sew days and road trips to quilt shops with my quilty friends!
Thank you so much Brett for chatting with us!
Find out more about Brett on his website and follow him on Instagram @naturalbornquilter .
