Welcome to our December Member Spotlight post! This month we're focused on guild co-Secretary, Sarah Elliott.
How long have you been quilting?
Since 2013.
Who or what inspired you to start quilting?
It wasn't anyone in particular, it was quilts. I've always loved them, but no one in my family is a quilter. I once casually mentioned to my husband that I'd always wanted to make a quilt and he surprised my with a sewing machine. However, I had not sewn since my Home Ec classes in middle school waaaaay back in the 80s. So I taught myself how with some help from YouTube. Then I read every quilting blog I came across and started quilting.
Tell us about the first quilt you ever made.
It was an H-block quilt for my cousin's first child, Harry. I used this adorable fabric collection called Five Funky Monkeys by Erin Michael, and backed it with a coordinating flannel print. I modified one of the H blocks into a J block because his initials are HJH. I still cringe when I think of all the mistakes that are in that quilt! When Harry's little brother Max was born and I made him a quilt, I decided to make Harry a new - better made - quilt too.
What is your favorite quilt you’ve ever made?
Usually whichever one I'm currently working on. But if I absolutely HAVE to choose a favorite, it's the plus sign quilt I made for my aunt Liz. I used one of my all-time favorite fabric collections, Comma, along with coordinating Kona solids for the plus signs and paired them with a scrappy low-volume background. I still smile every time I see a picture of it.
What kind of sewing machine(s) do you have?
2 Brothers - a PQ1500, which is my daily workhorse, and a CS-6000i. Since they're both Brothers, I jokingly refer to them as Jake and Elwood. LOL.
What is your favorite sewing tool or notion?
My Hera markers (but my most used is my seam ripper!)
Who is your favorite fabric designer?
Carolyn Friedlander, but I love solids too.
What are your favorite colors to use in quilts?
Greens, blues, and mixed neutral low-volume prints.
Describe your quilting style in one word.
I spent way too much time thinking about this and finally decided on 'Eclectic' because I don't really stick with one style.
What other hobbies do you have?
Writing, knitting, cooking & baking, my Peloton, reading, hiking, cross stitch, & my planners. Although the Peloton and the planners might be more of a lifestyle at this point. (Or, ok, let's be real... an obsession!)
Do you collect anything? (Other than quilting fabric, of course!) If so, what?
Yarn, recipes, graphic tees, planners, & notebooks.What is your favorite movie?
No way I can narrow it down to just 1. Since it's December, let's go with my favorite holiday movie: A Christmas Story (You'll shoot your eye out!).
What is your favorite book?
Again, it's so hard to choose just one. My favorite book I've read in the past several years is The Martian by Andy Weir.
Who is your favorite author?
Stephen King
Do you have a celebrity crush and who is it?
Lenny Kravitz
If you could have dinner with one legendary person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
Probably Stephen King, because his imagination fascinates me and I would like to discuss his writing process at length.
What is your favorite food?
It
's a toss up between tacos and spicy tuna rolls.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.Sweet or savory?
Savory
If you were a dessert, what would you be and why?
Mexican Chocolate Chip Cookies because people look at them, think they know exactly what they're getting, and then are surprised by something a little... extra.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you want to have with you (not things you need to survive, but things you would want to have)?
An internet connection, my laptop so I can write, read, watch and listen to things, a knitting project because like others have said, I can keep reknitting the same yarn, my Peloton, I should probably say my husband and dog too. They can count as 1 thing: my family.
What is your dream job?
I have two: author of the next great American novel or Peloton instructor. Where is your dream vacation destination?
Scotland or New Zealand.Which is your favorite season?
Fall
If you won millions in the lottery and had to selfishly spend it on yourself, what would you treat yourself to?
I'd travel the world.
Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
Both! Why choose? (Have you noticed yet that I'm terrible at making decisions?!)Would you rather be able to run at 100 miles per hour or fly at 10 miles per hour and why?
Fly at 10 miles per hour because I tend to rush through things. It would be nice to slow down and appreciate the scenery from time to time.
Want to learn more about Sarah? Follow her on
Instagram or check out her
website. Want more KMQG? We're on
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