March Designer of the Month is Jeni Baker

Hi I’m Pat Sloan the Aurifil Designer of the Month coordinator.

March’s Designer of the month is fabric and pattern designer Jeni Bakr. I have been following Jeni’s work at her site “In Color Order” for a long time. She is a great pattern designer and very generous with many free tutorials at her website. Her instructions and explanations are wonderful, and I think we have all made her bag pattern above! Plus I go to see ‘George the Bunny’… yes.. Jeni has a pet bunny and now I want a pet bunny.. so sweet! (shhh.. she doesn’t know I snagged the George photo.. it’s our secret.. don’t tell her I’m obsessed with George!)

EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a  block from our designers and that random person receives a special Aurifil thread prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our Flickr page in the winner topics.

You can make ANY of the 2013 blocks to be in the running (and we hope you make them all!). Share your photos at our Flickr Folder… we can’t WAIT to see what you do!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2013aurifildom/

Let’s meet Jeni!

When was your FIRST quilt sighting? Did it inspire you to start quilting?

My first quilt sighting was at home.  We have a number of quilts that my grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother made.  I grew up sleeping under a few, and admiring others.  I am so lucky to have inherited them already, my family knows how much they mean to me!  They didn’t inspire me to start quilting, but they certainly inspire me to continue quilting!

I was first inspired to quilt when I moved into my first apartment.  I decided I wanted a quilt for my bed, and I was determined to make it myself.  I’ve been hooked ever since!

Do you still have your first project you ever made?

I think so! I remember hand stitching a small four-patch doll pillow from a kit when I was really young.  I didn’t start sewing on a machine until I was 11, and for years I only made tote bags.  From there it was tiny Barbie-sized dresses, until I finally made my way to quilts!

When you go to a quilt show, what types of quilts are you drawn to?

Intricately pieced quilts. I’m constantly amazed by the piecing of both traditional and modern quilts. I’m not always the most accurate piecer, but am always striving to be more precise!

We all have parts of the process we ‘prefer’ more than others. What part of quilt making do you ‘Prefer’ most and why? And which the least.. and why?

My favorite part of the quilting process is designing the quilt.  I love choosing the colors and fabrics, and honestly even the quilt math! My Dad is an engineer, and I definitely got some of those genes.  I love trying to figure out how to make a design work.  My other favorite part; pulling the quilt out of the dryer after the first wash.  Nothing better!

I think my least favorite part of the quilting process is probably binding.  By the time I get to binding, I’m just so anxious for the quilt to be finished!

Did you have a career prior to making art, and what was it?

Nope! After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Studio Art in 2011, I moved 500 miles from home to Madison, WI.  I went back and forth about pursuing a marketing job, but decided ultimately that now was the time to test the waters and focus on my creative business.  It’s been equal parts exciting and terrifying. I love it though!

When you want to ‘recharge your batteries’ what do you do, where do you do this?

When I need to recharge I try to get myself out of the house.  Since I work from home, I often just need a change of scenery.  I love visiting local antique and thrift shops.  You never know what you might see or find, I usually leave inspired and ready to get back to my machine!

Do you have a tip or trick to make your quilt making easier?

For me, making quilting easier is about keeping myself safe and healthy.  I have arthritis, so I have to be careful when I’m crafting.  I wrote a post last year about how I take care of myself and prevent quilting injuries, you can find it here:

http://www.incolororder.com/2012/08/safe-sewing-crafting-with-arthritis.html

Do you have a process you go through to get your ideas started?

I don’t have a steadfast process for all of my ideas, many of them come about when I’m just doing everyday activities.  I’m constantly on the lookout for inspiration and am always snapping photos wherever I go.  Once I have an idea, I almost always draw it out on paper first.  Once I have something worked out, then I’ll move to the computer and mock it up completely.  I tend to go through spurts, periods of time where I’ll design a whole slew of projects and then periods of time where I’m convinced I’ll never come up with another new idea! 🙂

What are your 3 favorite colors of Aurifil thread?

My favorites are all pretty basic, but they’re what I use the most! #2600, #2021, #2000

Do you travel to teach?

Lucky for me, I don’t have to! I teach regularly at a local modern shop, The Sewcial Lounge, located in Madison, WI.

What does your studio look like?

I think the best word to describe my sewing space is “quilty explosion”. It’s my sanctuary.  We rent, so to bring color to the walls I’ve hung quilts made by myself and friends.  I display my vintage enamelware collection in the room to keep me inspired. Honestly, it’s
usually messy!

If you could train with, or work with, or follow one person for a day.. who would it be and why?

Sanna Annukka, a Finnish designer. She is a printmaker and has designed collections for Marimekko.  As a designer and quilter, I really admire her use of color and shape to create pattern.  Would love to meet her!

What is the Rock and Roll Song that Inspired your Quilt Block “The Boxer”

My block was inspired by Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer.  It’s my favorite song of theirs, I love anything with good harmonizing and finger-picking! CLICK HERE to listen at Youtube

I’ve also sewn my block up in Color Me Retro, my debut fabric collection with Art Gallery Fabrics, available in stores now!
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CLICK HERE to print the Aurifil Block of the Month – March

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The book you are currently reading: The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
Your favorite movie: Lilo & Stitch
The song stuck in your head: Disconnected by Keane
Do you like to dance?: Nope!
The color you have always LOVED: Purple!

Visit Jeni!

www.incolororder.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Incolororder

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/jenib/

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/jenib320

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I will post my version later this month, I can’t wait to make it!!

and I hope you join me, Pat Sloan, at my facebook FUN PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/PatSloanQuiltFun

And read my daily blog http://blog.patsloan.com

Sign up for my Newsletter CLICK HERE

or join my quilt group! http://www.quiltmashup.com

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Looking for Aurifil?  CLICK HERE to our shop finder!
We also would love you to ask your local quilt shop to carry our thread if they do not do so already. If they do carry our thread, yippee!

If your local shop carries our thread and is not on the shop finder list, write to me pat@patsloan.com and I’ll be sure they are added!

EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a  block.. that person will receive a special Aurifil thread prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our Flickr page in the winner topics.

You can make ANY of the 2013 blocks to be in the running (and we hope you make them all!). Share your photos at our Flickr Folder… we can’t WAIT to see what you do!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2013aurifildom/

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