• About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Member/Student Login
    • Online Programs
  • Shop
  • Member/Student Login
  • Blog
    • Free Quilt Patterns – Scrappy Whirligig Quilt

Bryan House Quilts

Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #24

design improv with triangles· Modern Triangle Quilts

1 Jun

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED MEMBER

Make Modern Triangles member spotlight is on Karen S. who brings her colorful quilts to the Bryan House Quilts blog. Her quilting ID is modern and she loves to learn. And boy, she has tackled it all, starting with Solstice BOM!

QUILTING FAVES AND NOT-SO-FAVES

What is your favorite quilt make of all time?

This one! My stripes that have tons of color and a wavy edge.

Wildflower BOM finish made by Karen Sykes, Make Modern Triangles member.

What are your favorite parts of quilting?

Piecing is my favorite.

Karen Sykes' first triangles design in the Make Modern Triangles program. White background with blue, purple and green triangles

What are your least favorite parts of quilting? Free motion quilting.

LEARNING TO MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES

When you joined Make Modern Triangles, what did you want to learn and/or accomplish? I wanted to learn and practice techniques and become a better sewer and maybe even design my own quilts.

Solstice BOM Month 7 made by Karen Sykes, Make Modern Triangles member.

What do you like about quilting with triangles?

Even though you think you have a plan for triangle designs, they always amaze me how they turn out!

Wildflower Month 2 blocks in navy, lime, bright yellow, purple, light violet and hot pink. Made by Karen Sykes, Make Modern Triangles member.
Quilt design with thread spools and button blocks surrounding a pieced sewing machine. Made by Karen Sykes, Make Modern Triangles member spotlight.
Improv-designed quilt used as a color study in the Playful Color quilt guild. Bright orange, teal, red, peac, navy and violet color palette.

What’s next on your learn-to-do list?

Learn more quilting designs!

What has quilting taught you about yourself? I may be more creative than I thought.

Karen Sykes' version of Make Merry Triangles in bright pink, pale yellow, teal, maroon, lime and black fabrics.

Karen’s STASH AND SEWING SPACE

Describe your fabric stash.

It has grown all by itself! Very colorful.

Describe your sewing space and what you like about it. I recently moved my sewing things into another room. It’s so nice to be able to spread out more!

INSPIRATION

Do you belong to a quilt guild?

Yes, I belong to the Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild in Camp Hill, PA for about 9 years.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? From Rebecca Bryan, nature and looking at other modern quilts at quilt shows.

What story from your life would help other people get to know you? I like to know the reasons behind certain philosophies, mostly on my spiritual journey. I’m always asking why.

When you aren’t quilting, what interests do you enjoy? Traveling, reading and doing social justice work, music, and most of all, being with my 4 grandchildren.

Thank you, Karen, for sharing your colorful quilts with us! Cheers!

RELATED LINKS: MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES MEMBER SPOTLIGHT AND TUTORIALS

  • Shirley M. Featured Member Spotlight
  • Lynn K.: Featured Member Spotlight
  • How to Organize Foundation Pieced Quilt Projects
  • Featured Member Debbie U. in the Spotlight
  • Member Spotlight Gayle K.
  • Wendy R. Member Spotlight
  • Make Modern Triangles
  • Tame Triangles with 5-Step Process
Previous Post: « Sparkler BOM Month 4 Member Makes
Next Post: Sparkler BOM Month 5 Member Makes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca Bryan says

    June 2, 2022 at 10:02 am

    Karen! It’s such a pleasure to work with you! Thank you for sharing your makes and your presence with us! 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #25 - Bryan House Quilts says:
    June 13, 2022 at 5:19 pm

    […] Member Spotlight #25: Marilyn W. […]

Primary Sidebar

Get Your Free Ticket to Quilters Paradise

Quilters Paradise

New 2026 Block of the Month!

Graphic of Alchemy Quilt

Join the 2026 Block of the Month Program

Get my Modern Triangles Quilt Book

Get my Modern Rainbow Quilts Book

Image shows cover of the book "Modern Rainbow Quilts"

Make the Solstice Quilt!

Solstice Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Get Your Invite!

Make Modern Triangles Logo

Make the Sparkler Quilt!

Image Shows Sparkler Quilt Top by Rebecca Bryan

Make the Echo (Echo!) Quilt

Echo BOM now open to join

Make the Wildflower Quilt!

Wildflower Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Make the Stargazer Quilt!

Anne's Stargazer BOM

Make the Rainbow Triangles Quilt!

Rainbow Triangle BOM, modern triangle quilt, Rebecca Bryan

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

You can have years of experience and still watch a You can have years of experience and still watch another quilter do something and think, WAIT. You can do it like THAT?! 😅

Those little discoveries can completely change the way you sew. They can make something easier, spark an idea for a new project, or give you the confidence to finally try something you’ve been avoiding.

And that’s exactly the kind of experience we’re creating at the Quilters Paradise Summit Fall 2026.

I’ll be co-hosting this FREE online quilting event September 21–28, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn new techniques, discover beautiful projects, and connect with fellow quilters.

You might leave with the idea for your next quilt... or discover an entirely new way to make it. 🧵✨

Comment ‘SUMMIT’ to save your spot for free and come quilt with us!

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
I’ve been quilting for 15 years, and I have failed I’ve been quilting for 15 years, and I have failed PLENTY of times. 👇

I’ve made things I didn’t like. I’ve cut fabric wrong. I’ve had ideas that worked beautifully in my head and... not so beautifully once I started sewing them together.

But all of those failed have been how I learned.

I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to make something perfect that we forget we’re allowed to just play.

👉 You’re allowed to mess up the fabric.
👉 You’re allowed to make something ugly.
👉 You’re allowed to try something you’re not so sure about.

Because the alternative is always wondering what it would be like to make your own quilt or to try the new thing and never actually finding out. 

I’d rather take the chance, and let myself fail a few times. 

I’ve got the perfect place for you to start with a free class where you have nothing to lose other than an hour of your time and a teeny bit of fabric, but you have a whole new hobby and quilty world to gain. 

Comment ‘FREE’ to take the class. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
One of the things that I love most about quilting One of the things that I love most about quilting is that there is always something new to learn. 

You never stop learning, creating, making mistakes, and repeating the whole process. You’ll discover a new technique to try, a new way to use the fabric already sitting in your stash, a project that stretches you just enough to make that eventual TA-DA! feel even better.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited to be co-hosting the Quilters Paradise Summit again this September. 

It’s a completely FREE online event created to help you learn new quilting techniques, make beautiful things, and connect with other people who get just as excited about fabric as you do. 😄

Whether you’ve been quilting for years or you’re still watching from the sidelines wondering if you could actually do this, come join us September 21–28 for a week of quilting, completely free, where you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

Maybe this is your sign to stop saving quite so many quilting videos... and start making something you’ll feel proud of. 🤍

Follow the link in my bio to get your free ticket. 🎟️ 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
What if, even while you’re sitting in your own sew What if, even while you’re sitting in your own sewing room, you had a whole community of quilters cheering you on, celebrating your finished blocks, answering your questions, and reminding you to keep going when you’re feeling stuck?

I think that’s one of the things people are craving most right now.

You don’t want just another hobby, but a place to belong, connection to grow, and people to learn from.

People who understand why you’re excited about a new fabric pull, why matching points deserve a little happy dance, or why finally finishing a quilt is such a big accomplishment.

That’s exactly what we’ve built inside the Make Modern Triangles Club.

Quilters from all over the world, of all ages and experience levels, learning together, encouraging one another, sharing their progress, and proving that quilting is even more fun when it’s shared.

And if you’re someone who’s been wishing for an even closer sense of community... someone who would love to spend time quilting in person with other people who love this craft as much as you do... Let’s just say you might want to stick around and make sure that you are following along. 😉

I have something very special I’ve been dreaming up behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to share it with you soon. 🧵✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Yup, I said it. 😅 Now, before anyone panics... I’ Yup, I said it. 😅

Now, before anyone panics... I’m not saying you should give up every time something gets challenging. I’m saying that sometimes a quilt simply isn’t the right quilt for you right now.

I’ve had projects that I tucked away for a few months, only to come back to them later with fresh eyes and fall completely in love with them again.

And I’ve had a few that... well... never made it across the finish line.

And I’m okay with that!

Not every project has to become a finished quilt.

✨ Sometimes a project teaches you a new skill.
✨ Sometimes it teaches you what colors you don’t love together.
✨ Sometimes it reminds you what kinds of quilts actually light you up.

No project is ever wasted, even the ones that are never finished. 

The next quilt might just be the one you can’t wait to sit down and sew. 🪡

Tell me in the comments if you’ve ever abandoned a project before! ⬇️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
You never know where one small “yes” might lead. You never know where one small “yes” might lead.

👉 One free class could become your first quilt.
👉 Your first quilt could become a hobby you genuinely look forward to at the end of a busy day or whenever you want some time to yourself.
👉 A year from now, you could have a stack of finished blocks, a beautiful quilt draped across your couch, and a skill you never imagined you’d have.

You could be looking at something you made with your own two hands and thinking, “I can’t believe I made that.” 🥹

So if you’ve been watching from the sidelines, wondering if you could do it, or contemplating if you’d even enjoy it...

My advice to you is just take the class.

Learn something new because a year from now, you might be so grateful that you did. 

You have nothing to lose, but so so much to gain. 

Comment ‘FREE’ to sign up for my free class. 🧵✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Follow on Instagram

Browse by Category

Archives

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email
You can have years of experience and still watch a You can have years of experience and still watch another quilter do something and think, WAIT. You can do it like THAT?! 😅

Those little discoveries can completely change the way you sew. They can make something easier, spark an idea for a new project, or give you the confidence to finally try something you’ve been avoiding.

And that’s exactly the kind of experience we’re creating at the Quilters Paradise Summit Fall 2026.

I’ll be co-hosting this FREE online quilting event September 21–28, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn new techniques, discover beautiful projects, and connect with fellow quilters.

You might leave with the idea for your next quilt... or discover an entirely new way to make it. 🧵✨

Comment ‘SUMMIT’ to save your spot for free and come quilt with us!

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
I’ve been quilting for 15 years, and I have failed I’ve been quilting for 15 years, and I have failed PLENTY of times. 👇

I’ve made things I didn’t like. I’ve cut fabric wrong. I’ve had ideas that worked beautifully in my head and... not so beautifully once I started sewing them together.

But all of those failed have been how I learned.

I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to make something perfect that we forget we’re allowed to just play.

👉 You’re allowed to mess up the fabric.
👉 You’re allowed to make something ugly.
👉 You’re allowed to try something you’re not so sure about.

Because the alternative is always wondering what it would be like to make your own quilt or to try the new thing and never actually finding out. 

I’d rather take the chance, and let myself fail a few times. 

I’ve got the perfect place for you to start with a free class where you have nothing to lose other than an hour of your time and a teeny bit of fabric, but you have a whole new hobby and quilty world to gain. 

Comment ‘FREE’ to take the class. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
One of the things that I love most about quilting One of the things that I love most about quilting is that there is always something new to learn. 

You never stop learning, creating, making mistakes, and repeating the whole process. You’ll discover a new technique to try, a new way to use the fabric already sitting in your stash, a project that stretches you just enough to make that eventual TA-DA! feel even better.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited to be co-hosting the Quilters Paradise Summit again this September. 

It’s a completely FREE online event created to help you learn new quilting techniques, make beautiful things, and connect with other people who get just as excited about fabric as you do. 😄

Whether you’ve been quilting for years or you’re still watching from the sidelines wondering if you could actually do this, come join us September 21–28 for a week of quilting, completely free, where you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

Maybe this is your sign to stop saving quite so many quilting videos... and start making something you’ll feel proud of. 🤍

Follow the link in my bio to get your free ticket. 🎟️ 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
What if, even while you’re sitting in your own sew What if, even while you’re sitting in your own sewing room, you had a whole community of quilters cheering you on, celebrating your finished blocks, answering your questions, and reminding you to keep going when you’re feeling stuck?

I think that’s one of the things people are craving most right now.

You don’t want just another hobby, but a place to belong, connection to grow, and people to learn from.

People who understand why you’re excited about a new fabric pull, why matching points deserve a little happy dance, or why finally finishing a quilt is such a big accomplishment.

That’s exactly what we’ve built inside the Make Modern Triangles Club.

Quilters from all over the world, of all ages and experience levels, learning together, encouraging one another, sharing their progress, and proving that quilting is even more fun when it’s shared.

And if you’re someone who’s been wishing for an even closer sense of community... someone who would love to spend time quilting in person with other people who love this craft as much as you do... Let’s just say you might want to stick around and make sure that you are following along. 😉

I have something very special I’ve been dreaming up behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to share it with you soon. 🧵✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Follow on Instagram
© 2026 Bryan House Quilts