Testing, Testing, 1 – 2 – 3…

Recently, I was asked if I would like to be a quilt tester. What is a quilt tester? Well, it means a quilt pattern designer wrote a pattern and the designer needs some people to try the pattern before it goes out to the public for sale. This is a great way for a designer to see if the pattern has any hiccups or if the test team has any suggestions.

This designer of the quilt pattern, is Jillian of This Mountain Life. And, the name of her pattern is Hazel. When she contacted me to participate, I was elated. How exciting! For years I saw others on Instagram as quilt testers. I tried multiple times to participate only to discover all the slots were taken. This time was different, I was personally contacted and I was to be on the test team!

The Hazel quilt has great diagrams which make it easy to assemble. The quilt is super-fast to make! For the test, I made the baby quilt and I think it is adorable. You can find the pattern here, HAZEL quilt pattern, This Mountain Life.

Instagram friends are like Pen-Pals. Remember when we used to do that?

It was so much fun to be a quilt tester. I enjoyed the process of seeing everyone’s choice of colors, their progress, and their success. Along the way of my quilt test journey, I made an new Instagram friend. That may sound a little weird but I like to think of these virtual friendships as Pen-Pals. Remember when we used to do that?

Well, I have two Insta Friends. One is named Michelle at Compass and Wildflower. Michelle is always so positive. She also has some pretty quilt patterns that she designs. Then, my new Insta Friend is Erin at Seam Ripper Society (@seamrippersociety). She is also very positive and encouraging. Lately she urged me to speak-out about my approach to fabrics in quilting. The topic came up because of a “Pen-Pal” discussion on sustainable quilting and alternative resources. I love to use different fabrics to quilt. In fact, I used a lot of different fabric types in this test quilt.

In previous posts I wrote about the importance of using quilt fabric. This is mostly because of the equal weight and weave of the fabric. Quilt fabric is so good to work with, especially if you are just learning to sew.

Yet, I also wrote a few teeny tiny sentences about how I love to mix it up and use all kinds of fabrics. In fact, this Hazel quilt that I tested, I opted for non-quilt fabric. I still used 100% cotton! But I chose fabrics like poplin, chambray, and a Liberty print in a weave called Tana Lawn. I find a lot of Liberty at Casa del Tessuto in Rome, Italy. Also follow them on instagram, @casa_del_tessuto_roma

Here are my reasons for why I choose to use nontraditional quilt fabric:

• I sewed and continue to sew some of my clothes. There are so many different fabrics out there and I love the experience of having cotton, wool, silk, jersey, and satin run through my fingers.  I like how the fabrics move, shine, or remain dull.
• After I make a dress or a blouse, I love using the remaining fabric for quilting.
• Using my experience of working with different fabrics and mixing them into patchwork made things look more interesting. The movement, the colors, the feeling of the different textures.
• When I make my own clothes I am used to total freedom to choose linen, cotton, Tana, Wool… Years ago when I started quilting, I asked for the quilt fabric at a fabric store. The sales lady escorted me over to the zone for quilt fabric and I immediately felt like I was in a cage. I couldn’t do it. I kept looking over my shoulder at the garment section. There were bright pink hues of satin shimmering under the ugly uv lights and a wild yellow cotton print that spoke to my artistic side. For me Quilt Fabric was sooooooo LIMITING!!
• On top of the quilt fabric being a limit, there was also the fact that it cost more than the garment fabric. It was less bang for my buck. In the sense that, quilt fabric generally has a Width of Fabric of 40” to 45”. So I felt conflicted that I was paying extra money to be put in a cage…and I didn’t like the prints available to me. (I still struggle to like what is available on the market.)
• Victoria Findlay Wolfe is one of my favorite quilters. She is always saying to “cut it up!”. So, I did it, too! I cut up my old jeans, old shirts, and used the remnants from clothes that I made.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe is one of my favorite quilters.
She is always saying to “cut it up!”.

My reasons for using quilt fabric:

1. Since the weight of the fabric is the same, everything hangs equally. There is not the complication of the wool pulling down on the delicate cotton Tana Lawn or distorting the silk to Kingdom come. Working with quilt fabric is DREAMY!!
2. To complete my quilt is so much easier, too! The basting is easier, the quilt sandwich and quilt top design is easier.
3. The hand quilting is a dream on quilt fabric! All the fabric remains equally stressed by the thread. It is like a sewing miracle. (It can be done on mixed fabric but the level of patience, attention, and trouble shooting is very very high.)
4. When I find a quilt collection I like, everything matches and looks harmonious. This is also satisfying when I look at my completed quilt.

This year I would like to try and sew with some more quilt fabric companies. In truth, I have only used one brand of quilt fabric, the company is Tilda. As I mentioned, my experience was very positive. Tilda fabric was used to make a baby quilt with the Happy Campers collection and I made a throw with the Chic Escape collection. There is one bundle of fat quarters stored in my cabinet, Tilda’s Sunkiss collection. When I saw it, I just loved it and the moment Sunkiss went on sale, I pounced on it. It will be used one day but I haven’t decided what I will make. When I finally make something, I will be sure to write about it!

Thanks for stopping by to read my experience as a tester, and my take on fabrics. I hope my explanation on fabrics is encouraging to you! The point is, choose the best solution for you, your budget, and most importantly your creativity!

Sending you warm greetings from Rome.

Hugs,

Rachel