I’m Designer, Author, Talk Show host Pat Sloan.
In 2010 I created the first original Block of the month for Aurifil and it was so much fun we’ve done it ever year since! 2018 is the start of my 8th year running this super fun program. Learn more about how it works at our intro of the 2018 team
This year we challenged each designer to create a block inspired by ‘The Places We Go’ and I asked them to use black & white fabrics + a color of their choice.
The multi talented Kerry Goulder of KidGiddy. I got to know Kerry quite a few years ago and I’m always inspired by her designs. She does paper pieced projects and 3D projects, with many of her projects Licensed to Sizzix dies.
visit her at kidgiddy.blogspot.com/
Missed a month? CLICK FOR PRIOR DESIGNER interviews
Remember we have a Challenge portion of our Designer of the Month interview.
Each month we select one random winner to receive a 12 spool BOX of Aurifil thread for just making the challenge block and sharing ut! Details at the end plus last month’s winner!
Let’s get to know Kerry!
Where do you live and what is your favorite spot there?
I live in Southern Maine and have been here for almost 18 years. One of my many favorite places is at the beach.
I can hear the ocean when my windows are open, but I love to feel the warm sand under my feet (not the freezing cold water)!
When was your FIRST quilt sighting?
I started sewing when was very young. I wasn’t very good at it, but knew how. In college I sewed a huge 3D lightbulb pillow for a sculpture class. It wasn’t until many many years later when my husband (then boyfriend) was moving to Maine and I wanted to make him a quilt to keep him warm. My mom came with me to the fabric store and taught me how to make a queen sized “quilt in a day” strip quilt…that took me 2 years to finish! We still use it on our bed now, so it was worth the wait and the efforts.
What does your studio look like, and what would you change in it?
My studio used to be in a small bedroom.
After 13 years of waiting and planning, we finally renovated our space above the garage which is now my studio (and everyone else’s too – I share).
Excitedly my studio was featured in the Where Women Create Magazine in Feb/Mar/April 2016 issue, photographed by our friend Kevin Brusie.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m currently a licensed designer for Sizzix die cuts, and have come out with 2 new dies for 18” dolls…the Tank Set and Shoes too that were just released in May!
With my dies, you can make Kid Giddy dolls and Kid Giddy doll clothes, stuffed animals (bear, fox, moose, french bull dog, etc), and now a whole wardrobe of 18” doll clothing as well. It’s so fun to spend all my time on choosing the fabric, sewing and playing, rather than cutting all of the needed pieces.
I’m also a brand ambassador for Daylight Company, as well as the Electric Quilt Company. I’ll be teaching my Ugly Sweater Block paper piecing class this November at Glampstitch-a-lot with Pink Castle Fabrics.
When I’m not sewing, I’m either spending time with my family, at a karate class working towards my 4th degree black belt, taking a metalsmithing class, running or drawing.
What location inspired your block?
Sometime in 2003 I watched the movie “On the Other Side of Heaven”. The movie is based on a true story, and is about a young Mormon Missionary that was called to serve his mission in Tonga.
Ever since watching that movie, and learning more about Tonga in general, I have wanted to go there and make Tapa Cloth (ngatu). Not long after seeing the movie, the Young Women (age 12-18) in my church were asked to learn about a country of their choice for Girls Camp, and had to reach out to Young Women in their chosen country to find out all they could about them, their culture and learn a new recipe. The Young Women in Tonga sent our Young Women some Tongan currency, Tapa Cloth, shell necklaces, the recipe for LaPulu, and other items I no longer have or remember.
Luckily I was able to keep some of the genuine Tapa Cloth they sent (as shown with my block). My block is a Sea Turtle – and symbolizes health, longevity, peace, and in some cultures unity. The colors I have chosen are: White – to represent the sand, Blue – the ocean waters, and Black – the root paint used to paint the designs on the Tapa Cloth.
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DOWNLOAD Kerry’s Tonga Block
CLICK HERE for a few of my tips on sewing this block
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Fun Questions!
- What does your garden look like?
I’m not really a huge gardener (allergic to all bug bites), but my husband is. Yay! I ask him to fill open spaces with certain flowers that I love and then get to enjoy photographing them to my hearts content, bringing some in the house to enjoy, or sharing them so others can enjoy them too.
- Do you have a tip?
Sun can do some serious damage to your fabric. I used to keep my fabric out for show (because it’s gorgeous), but many pieces were quickly bleached on the folds and only useable if fussy cut. I now keep my fabrics tucked behind cabinet doors to protect them when not in use.
Visit Kerry:
CLICK TO MY Website for a some Tips!
Enter your block BELOW by July 15, 2018 to be in the running to win a BOX of Aurifil
This is SUPER EASY to enter all you have to do is make ONE BLOCK.
We have been able to find a way to enter your quilts here at Aurifil, it does go to a 2nd page, but at least it’s here now!
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https://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js
CLICK the BLUE button above to Enter YOUR BLOCK in the challenge
last month’s winner is below
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And JOIN my fantastic online quilt group with the most incredible quilt show each day… I’d love to meet you!
******* JOIN our Aurifil Family *******
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 email
Sure glad Our RANDOM picker had to select the winner this month, your May blocks were outstanding!
Our monthly winner is #11 Becky! This awesome quilter has WON a BOX of Aurifil thread! .. see all the great versions HERE
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I’ve just had the opportunity to read your article about Kerry Goulder and her journey of into quilting. A wonderful read! Thank you and wishing Kerry much continued success in the future.