{Quilter Interview} Sarah Fielke

Today we are interviewing the fabulous Sarah Fielke.

Anorina interviewed Sarah last week and this is what she had to say-

When did you start quilting?

My mum taught me to sew when I was very small. I had a little pink sewing machine she bought me in America which I loved. I made lots of bits of patchwork with no insides, but I didn’t make any proper quilts until I was 12. I made a small quilt for my mum for her birthday.

What is your quilting “style”?

I’m sure many people would call me a modern quilter, but to be honest I don’t like to be defined. I make what I like and I’ve always made my quilts the way I do, it’s not because of any trend. I usually say I’m a contemporary traditionalist

What is the main inspiration for your designs?

I get my inspiration from all over the place. Often it’s from antique quilts, but I also look at loads of art and design books, embroidery and textile books and house and garden books and magazines. I take photos all the time of interesting colours and patterns I see when I’m out and about.

What is the best advice someone gave you about quilting?

Do what you love, not what you think people want.

What tips would you give a beginner?

Don’t be afraid! That’s my biggest tip. Don’t only make simple quilts because you think you can’t do anything else. Try things that inspire you and don’t follow so called design rules. If you think it’s beautiful, then it is! And if you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world - for heavens sake, it’s only fabric.

Of all the quilts you’ve made – do you have a favourite? Which one?

I have a few favourites but the current one is A Wing and a Prayer. I made this in 2010 for my book, Quilting: From Little Things. I loved every second of the hand applique and hand quilting, and I especially love the text fabrics I used in the backgrounds. The quilt won Best Interpretation of an Antique Quilt at the Quilter’s Guild Of NSW show at Darling Harbour, and was taken to the AQC show in Melbourne as part of the Best of the Best Australia exhibition. It hangs in my living room.

What is your must have quilting tool?

My applique glue and silver gel pen.

We’ve had the aqua/red/orange and the yellow/grey combinations recently. What is your prediction for new colour combinations / styles?

Oh I don’t know. As I said, I don’t really follow trends that much. I’m loving working with teal and orange at the moment, and yellow and pink…

and my favourite colour way from my fabrics is still grey and aqua!

And now for some fun ones:

Do you listen to music when you sew? And if yes, what is your favourite quilting “mood” music?

Yes! I watch DVDs a lot too, but when I’m listening to music its usually a classic like the Beach Boys, Beatles, ABBA… I love new stuff like Jason Mraz and Megan Washington too. I have very eclectic music tastes.

Tea or Coffee – which do you prefer?

Tea in the morning, then coffee, then tea again before bed

Favourite TV show?

Downton Abbey. Or The West Wing.

What non-sewing related item can’t you live without? Why?

Books. I am a huge reader and I read at least a book a fortnight - but usually more than that. I hate not having a novel with me.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which celebrity would you like to be stranded with? Why?

Hugh Jackman. He’s intelligent, gorgeous, he can sing and dance for entertainment value and his 12 inch metal talons would come in handy on a desert island I bet.

Sarah is a quilter, a teacher, a designer and an author. Her latest book, Quilting: From Little Things is available now from your nearest quilt shop or bookstore, or from her website. Her latest fabric range, St Ives from Lecien, Japan, is also available in quilt shops.You may also know Sarah as co-author of the popular Material Obsession books.