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Bryan House Quilts

Make Modern Triangles: Member Spotlight #17

Block of the Month Program· Modern Triangle Quilts· Sewing with Triangles· Uncategorized

8 Mar

Make modern Triangles member spotlight: Debbie U.

Welcome Debbie U. to the Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight! Debbie is best described as an eclectic quilter who likes traditional, modern and artistic genres, which you’ll see plenty of in her gallery below!

Make Modern Triangles’ member spotlight is on Debbie U. this week. Debbie is best described as an eclectic quilter who likes traditional, modern and artistic genres. When you browse her quilt gallery below, you will see many techniques inside those genres, including machine embroidery in the hoop, machine applique, hand quilting and hand dyeing fabric. She even does fabric folding with triangles! (Can you spot which one?) Wow!

Her other interests are also varied including extensive travel to new places, which inspires her love for colorful, bright quilts.

Make Modern Triangles BOM Wildflower design made by member Debbie U.
Wildflower BOM design made by Debbie U.

QUILTING Faves

What is your favorite quilt make of all time?

Judy Niemeyer quilts are some of my favorites: Bali Wedding Star, Glacier Star and Tropical Flowers.

What are your favorite parts of quilting?

The process of choosing fabrics, piecing and free motion quilting.

Favorite quilt make: a Judy Niemeyer design made by Debbie U., our Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight this week.
Favorite quilt make: Glacier Star designed by Judy Niemeyer and made by Debbie U.

Spotlight on Learning IN MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES

When you joined Make Modern Triangles, what did you want to learn and/or accomplish?

Playing with the patterns that the triangle shapes can create and having fun with them. Debbie made the Wildflower BOM in 2021.

What has quilting taught you about yourself?

As a retired CPA, I enjoy numbers, math and the geometrical possibilities with making quilts. I also love seeing the surprise and enjoyment of a recipient receiving a quilt gift for the first time.

Lots of small triangles make a modern triangle quilt in this Pollinator quilt design made by Debbie U.
Pollinator quilt made by Debbie U.; English paper piecing techniques.

What do you like about quilting with triangles?

The interesting patterns the triangles can make.

What’s next on your learn-to-do list?

Constantly working on improving my long arm quilting skills.

Do you belong to a quilt guild?

I’ve been a member of the national Modern Quilt Guild for the past four years.

Color My World design by Wendy Williams and made by Debbie U. “This was a new challenge for to make a circular quilt.”

HER FOCUS ON MODERN and Paper Piecing

What is your next project?

I am currently making a triangle quilt “Tessellation” by Nadia Kehnle and Alison Glass. It is a really fun quilt with lots of ways to make it my own.

Original modern design made by Make Modern Triangle member spotlight Debbie U.
Original design and made by Debbie U.

Original modern improvisational design with strip piecing by Debbie U.
Original modern improvisational design with strip piecing by Debbie U.

Debbie’s SEwing Space

Describe your fabric stash.

Enough to fill a room and then some: What can I say? I LOVE fabric and lots of it!

Machine embroidery in the hoop, machine applique and long-arm free motion quilting modern art quilt - made by Debbie U.
Machine embroidery in the hoop, machine applique and long-arm free motion quilting – made by Debbie U.

Describe your sewing space and what you like about it.

My sewing space is a room on the main floor of my house that used to be a children’s playroom. It is not as large as I would like but functions well for me.

Inspiration everywhere

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting?

I’ve always gravitated to colorful art and fabric – I’ve been influenced by many things. For instance, my home has lots of colorful art besides my quilts. Nature, sunny climates and colors influence me, too. I also enjoy going to regional and national quilt shows, including QuiltCon and the Houston Show.  And I’m inspired by what I see online (Pinterest) and in magazines and quilts shops.

Many of my projects are made up of MANY small pieces. I like the challenge and the results which is why I tend to do a lot of paper piecing projects. I also have been dyeing fabrics to see what I can create with using many dye colors.

Tropical Flowers design by Judy Niemeyer; modified and made by Debbie U.
Tropical Flowers design by Judy Niemeyer; modified and made by Debbie U.

​When you’re not quilting, what other interests do you pursue?

For one, we have traveled all over Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Washington DC, Mexico and Nepal as well as living in Washington State, Florida and the Bay Area in California. When Covid is behind us we plan to travel around the US, Europe and Africa. Also, I enjoy gardening, reading, walking and playing with my grandson.

 

Lollipop Trees quilt design; made by Debbie U. with machine applique and hand quilting.
Lollipop Trees quilt design; made by Debbie U. with machine applique and hand quilting.

Quiltagami style baby quilt made by Debbie U. Includes triangle fabric folding.
Bali Wedding Star foundation quilt design by Judy Niemeyer; made by Debbie U.
Bali Wedding Star foundation quilt design by Judy Niemeyer; made by Debbie U.
Original quilt design and made by Debbie U.
Original quilt design and made by Debbie U. (Editor’s note: Could we call these shapes ‘curved triangles’ instead of clamshells?!)

Wow! That is a large body of work..and when do you find time to sleep, Debbie?!

Thank you, Debbie, for sharing all of colorful, inspired quilts with us. Beautiful!

Related links about Make Modern Triangles

  • Member Spotlight Gayle K.
  • Member Spotlight Wendy R.
  • Make Modern Triangles
  • Tame Triangles with 5-Step Process
Previous Post: « 10 Fun Photo Ideas for Quilt Blocks
Next Post: Sparkler BOM Month 2 Member Makes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rebeccabryan says

    March 11, 2022 at 11:29 am

    Wow! Debbie, it’s such a pleasure to be a small part of your creativity! <3

  2. Maureen says

    March 11, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    Debbie your work is fantastic! I have been to Africa 5 times and going again in November 2022 (if covid allows). I love Africa and am sure you will too. Keep quilting and safe travels.

  3. Lonnie W says

    March 11, 2022 at 11:22 pm

    Fabulous work! I am also a retired CPA….and I love the geometry and math of quilting.

  4. Wendy Rice says

    May 13, 2022 at 6:33 am

    Your many pieces quilts are amazing. Very nice colors, but they all look like a lot of precision piecing. Very nice.

Trackbacks

  1. Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #18 - Bryan House Quilts says:
    March 16, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    […] Last week’s Member Spotlight: Debbie U. […]

  2. How to Organize Foundation Piecing Quilt Projects - Bryan House Quilts says:
    March 19, 2022 at 6:46 pm

    […] Member Spotlight: Debbie U […]

  3. Sparkler BOM Month 2 Member Makes - Bryan House Quilts says:
    March 23, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    […] Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #17 […]

  4. Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #20 - Bryan House Quilts says:
    April 18, 2022 at 3:31 am

    […] Featured Member Debbie U. in the Spotlight […]

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About

Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

Disclosure

Just so you know, my site includes affiliate links from which I (it’s me! Rebecca!) receive payment or compensation. Something to consider as you peruse my website. Thanks!

Latest on Instagram

I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next year’s “Starburst” Block of the Moth, and I had to laugh at myself because even though I started with a few pretty pinks and yellows as my inspiration...

I devolved back to rainbows for my final selection. I do love a rainbow gradient! So glorious, so delicious!

Honestly, sometimes it takes me several, several, several rounds to get the colors just how I want them. 😭  But the good news is, I do have the rainbow fabric on hand!

Now I can Netflix and sew... as I work on my Starburst sample! Hooray!

Who else just can’t resist a rainbow palette??? Follow along @bryanhousequilts to be the first to see my latest “Starburst” design! 💫

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermi SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermint Twist Dutch Summer! 🤍

The joy really is in the journey with my Block of the Month programs, where every single month you make one block, sew your whole batch, and, month by month, start to see the design come together with each new block.

And that’s why ANYONE can make this quilt! Yes, even a first-timer! 

You don’t have to sit down and make an entire quilt all at once. You make one batch of blocks, then another, and another... You learn as you go, watch your skills develop, and slowly start seeing the whole quilt come together.

And then one day, all those individual triangles you’ve been making come together and you’ve made THIS. 🥹

I absolutely love how this Peppermint Twist version of Dutch Summer turned out, and seeing all of the blocks together makes me want to do the whole thing all over again in another color palette! 😂

If you want to make your own version of the Dutch Summer, comment ‘DUTCH’ and I’ll send you the details! 💌

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
We’re deep into the ‘ber months, which means cozy We’re deep into the ‘ber months, which means cozy sewing season is in FULL swing! 🙌

👉 We’re chugging along with the Alchemy block of the month, five months in! 
👉 We’re celebrating SO MANY big finishes of our Dutch Summer block of the month quilt tops
👉 I’ve been planning our next block of the month... 

There’s SO much good stuff going on over here, and I can’t wait to reveal my latest design to you so soon, along with all of the projects I’ve been sewing!!! 

Follow along to see my next block-of-the-month design reveal in November! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next year’s “Starburst” Block of the Moth, and I had to laugh at myself because even though I started with a few pretty pinks and yellows as my inspiration...

I devolved back to rainbows for my final selection. I do love a rainbow gradient! So glorious, so delicious!

Honestly, sometimes it takes me several, several, several rounds to get the colors just how I want them. 😭  But the good news is, I do have the rainbow fabric on hand!

Now I can Netflix and sew... as I work on my Starburst sample! Hooray!

Who else just can’t resist a rainbow palette??? Follow along @bryanhousequilts to be the first to see my latest “Starburst” design! 💫

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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