Where Creativity Blossoms: Project QUILTING

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Project QUILTING – An Interview with SarahB

8:12 AM |

I was extremely happy when I recently got another interview in from one of my Project QUILTING - Season 1 Participants. SarahB entered a little late in the competition but she completed some truly amazing challenges and even won some great prizes in the process!

What made you decide to join Project QUILTING?

I joined in a bit late, but I thought the challenge sounded fun! I hadn't ever done a sewing challenge before, and an online challenge and judging seemed a lot less scary than someone looking at my work while wearing a white glove.

What was your favorite part about Project QUILTING?

I loved that there were such a wide variety of projects submitted every week! Also, the challenges were so different week to week that it really gave different people a good chance to shine.

Which Challenge in Season 1 (you can include the 2 pre-season projects) was your favorite? and why…

I had the most fun in the Office Supply challenge. I also lost the most sleep over that challenge! The Doodle Quilt is one I had always planned to do, although I always thought I'd piece it. I really love the final result!

Which Challenge in Season 1 (including the 2 per-season challenges) was your least favorite? and why…

I couldn't work myself up for the Black & White challenge because it's just not a color combo I'm a big fan of. I wasn't inspired and never came up with an idea I loved.

Which Challenges did you come up with your idea immediately and which took some marinating?

The Office Supply Doodle Quilt idea was pretty immediate. The Log Cabin block was within a day of reading the challenge and that was the 1st challenge I jumped in on. The Stars Over America challenge took a little more planning - I knew how I wanted to piece the stars, but the final plan for the piece took a while.

Did you try any new techniques for your projects during these challenges and if so, what were they?

In addition to the challenges as written I gave myself additional challenges of trying something new. The Log Cabin challenge was my first 3-dimensional project, the Stars over America was my first with freehand drawing wonky paper pieced patterns, crazy-piecing and couching, and the Office Supply challenge was the first with "thread painting" or with a whole-cloth quilt.

How has Project QUILTING made you a better Quilter?

It's made me a lot braver! I tried so many new techniques and got better at working under a deadline too!

Did you find the judges comments beneficial, annoying, or inconsequential? Why?

Inconsequential. Some comments were helpful, but I found the often the scores varied widely and didn't always seem to match up with the judge's comments. I was making all the pieces for myself and my home rather than for sale or for show, so it's more important that I liked the the piece since I'm the one who will see it everyday.

Do you think the judging format should be more structured, less structured, stay the same? and why?

I'd like for the judges to elaborate a bit more each week. Possibly offer something they liked about each entry as well as a bit of constructive advise to help us all grow while still encouraging us to continue on.

What was your favorite piece that you created for the Project QUILTING challenge? Doodle quilt side view