Her applique' designs are written for machine applique', but you could easily adapt for traditional applique if that is your preference. She also has many beautiful pieced quilt designs, as well as designs that are AccuQuilt GO! compatible.
While you may know Barb by way of her blog (Bejeweled Quilts), to help get to know her better SewCalGal asked her a few questions to share insights with you today:
How long have you been sewing/quilting/designing?
When I was in high school I made a majority of my clothes and all my clothes for college. My mother and sisters would hand quilt but I never took it up. It wasn't until I went to a friend's home and saw all her lovely quilts that I became interested. At this time, I received a quilt top from my mother that my grandmother had made for me. I started practicing my hand stitching so I could quilt the top.
Then one day I decided to make a quilt for my bed, quilts were so expensive and we were right out of college with five babies, so I gathered all my scraps from clothes, drew up my own design and went to work.
I made a few baby quilts but it wasn't until my youngest son turned 12 that I felt lost, he didn't need me anymore. I had to redefine myself and so I dived into quilting.
I'm self taught, with help from my family. It has been fun to be able to share this interest with my mother and sisters. There are actually five of us that quilt (my mother, three sisters and myself). My mother hand quilts, Margaret has a longarm, Jeanette owns a store (Inchworm Fabrics) and Beverly has begun to quilt in the last ten years.
What else would you like others to know about you?
I don't consider myself a professional, I am just a person that likes to create, the joy of watching something take shape and completing the idea. My greatest satisfaction in life is making something from nothing and maybe have someone enjoy making it too.
How do your designs come to life (e.g. do you sketch, do you use EQ7 to design, etc)?
Some of you will shake your head when I tell you this but I get out construction paper or poor fabrics and just start arranging them how I think they will look. I might have a crude draft, I am not very good at drawing but I can draw simple things.
What are your favorite colors?
My favorite colors are BRIGHT
Do you have a favorite tool or product to recommend?
I use Steam A Seam like toilet paper and when I run out it is drastic!
Designer Gallery:
Barb's designs can be found at InchWorm Fabrics, Bejeweled Quilts on ETSY (where you'll find more patterns, kits, fabrics, and quilted items for sale), as well as more recently on Craftsy. Soon, her AccuQuilt GO! compatible designs should also be available at AccuQuilt.com. Barb is a very creative designer who has only brought a small number of her designs to market so far, but SewCalGal hopes to see many more in the future. They are all cute and make for wonderful items to decorate your home, as well as give as a gift.
Here are some of Barb's designs that are available on Craftsy. These designs range in size from mug rugs to full size quilts. And, they are are all reasonably priced from $1.99 to $8.00 per design.
Turtle Tranquility quilt 42" x 52" | Round Christmas Tree Topper | Court Jester quilt 32 1/2" x 32 1/2" {perfect for a baby quilt} |
Tulips and Tumblers Quilt 81" x 61 1/2" | Sunshine Topper | Can't See the Forest for the Trees runner |
Wonky Christmas Trees | April Showers Table Topper | Kitchen Corner |
Reindeer Games | Enchanted Christmas Tree Runner | All You Need is Love |
Bird Splash (bundle of two designs for a wallhanging and a round table topper) | Round Tumbler Topper | Irish Luck (round) table topper |
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Spoken Hearts table topper | Round Valentines Topper | Toilet Tank and Lid topper pattern |
Dancing Flowers table topper |
| ***new design coming soon*** |
FREEBIE:
Barb also has a fun design that is currently available for free on Craftsy.
This yummy project is absolutely perfect to decorate your home, or to make for a gift. If you do not yet have a free account on Craftsy, simply create your account and you can go thru the steps on Craftsy to purchase this pattern (for free) and download a PDF pattern: Apple Applique' Hot Pad and Kitchen Towel pattern
SewCalGal thinks this design would make for an absolutely wonderful gift for many situations, including:
- special thank you to a teacher
- newlyweds or new homeowners
- hostess gifts, perfect for summer BBQ
- Thinking of you gifts!
14 comments:
Barb is amazing. She is always making something new. I have enjoyed seeing her progress during the time I have followed her blog.
Barb IS so creative. I get a lot of ideas just following her blog.
I love Barb,. I am so glad you showcased her today. I made her octopus quilt and I get many compliments on it.
Way to go Barb! She is one talented lady with excellent ideas.
Barb is so very talented! I enjoyed reading more about Barb. She made her own clothes....very impressive indeed.
Barb sure is a lovely woman and I hope more people hop over to follow her blog, she is one busy lady.
Smiles,
Kelly
I have been following Barb for a while and love her work , she is indeed a very talented .
Barb's designs are whimsical and sweet. They are happy designs. Her blog is a good read, too.
Wonderful designs by Barb. Thanks for featuring her here...I follow her blog and she always has new things to share!
Here is a link to a post on Fiesta's blog showing the quilt she made using Barb's octopus design: http://quiltingfiesta.blogspot.ca/2012/09/summer-is-over-when.html
How nice to get to know Barb a little better. What a good idea to showcase her talents and skills today. Thanks!!
I love Barb's blog and her work. I have a link to her Etsy store on my sidebar. :)
We've followed Barb for quite some time now - she is incredibly talented and has such a big heart.
Barb is absolutely a JEWEL so her blog is appropriately named. She's been an inspiration to me for a very long time. Barb is a talent and has become an Internet friend. I only hope I have the pleasure of meeting her one day.
Hugs to you Dear Barb...you deserve them.
Barb is such a nice, friendly person. Her blog is great and her output is amazing!
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