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Bryan House Quilts

Make Modern Triangles Member Spotlight #26

Block of the Month Program· Growing Creatives· Modern Triangle Quilts

5 Jul

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED MEMBER

Make Modern Triangles member spotlight is on Susan G. this week. Her gallery showcases nature’s seasons in collaged art quilts, one of her favorite creative techniques. Susan joined Make Modern Triangles to become a modern quilt artist and sees modern triangles as a bridge to growing as a quilter.

QUILTING FAVES AND NOT-SO-FAVES

What is your favorite quilt make of all time?

“What? This Isn’t Wisconsin?” is my fave landscape quilt to date. I’m always making more landscape and collage quilts…they make my creativity sing!

“What? This isn’t Wisconsin?” collage art quilt by Susan G.

What are your favorite parts of quilting?

Designing / modifying a pattern, choosing a color palette and fabrics, embellishments such as thread painting, and FMQ

What are your least favorite parts of quilting? Piecing.

LEARNING TO MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES

When you joined Make Modern Triangles, what did you want to learn and/or accomplish? Triangles enable a wide range of variations which is great for incorporating in original designs of artistic and modern quilts. I started as a very traditional quilter, and still enjoy it. But I’ve discovered that, with quilting experience, I’m now a more eclectic quilter and will often alter or modify patterns, or even create my own designs. The intersection of my passion for creativity and modern triangles allows me grow even more!

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!

What’s next on your learn-to-do list?

My ultimate goal is to be able to call myself a modern quilt artist…I’m on that journey and having so much fun!

What has quilting taught you about yourself? That I am a continual learner AND I love to teach! I enjoy the process of learning and growing probably more than actually completing a project. That means I have a lot of UFOs but that doesn’t bother me. I consider those UFOs as opportunities to revisit them and make them even better. More than anything I love to share my learned knowledge with others.

What is your next quilting project?

I’m working on two projects now: 1. Make Modern Triangles Sparkler 2022 quilt (Rebecca’s pattern). I’ve made the center medallion and several adjacent blocks (there are more monthly installments to come). 2. Children’s charity twin bed quilt – I try to make at least one charity quilt per year. I’ve already make 13 pillowcases this year for the same charity!

Susan’s STASH AND SEWING SPACE

Describe your sewing stash.

Enough to fill a room and then some: I love fabric!

Describe your sewing space and what you like about it.

My sewing space is a repurposed bedroom in a 1930’s house. It’s cozy and all the basics I need to produce a quilting project are easily at hand. Of course, I often rearrange things to accommodate my current project, whether it’s a landscape quilt, collage quilt, totes and purses, and more. Having the basic supplies for particular projects on hand allows me to work quickly, efficiently, and with a huge nod to my creative flow.

INSPIRATION

Do you belong to a quilt guild?

I am a member of the Playful Color Quilt Guild for 2 years now (thanks Rebecca). There is local artisan center where I attend quilt sessions with friends (old and new) and even teach some classes. I’ve been teaching how to make collage quilts and landscape quilts.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? Nature, art, observing patterns and colors, combining artistic elements to accomplish a creative goal.

When you aren’t quilting, what interests do you enjoy? The outdoors (hiking, boating, gardening) as well as knitting, baking, cooking, reading and teaching my grandchildren about as much of this stuff as I can.

Thank you, Susan, for sharing your creative quilts, art and passion for learning!

RELATED LINKS: MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES MEMBER SPOTLIGHT AND TUTORIALS

  • Marilyn W. Featured Member in the Spotlight
  • Featured Make Modern Triangles Member Karen S.
  • Learn more about Make Modern Triangles Membership
  • 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
  • Tame Triangles with 5-Step Process
Previous Post: « Sparkler BOM Month 5 Member Makes
Next Post: Spooky Summer Quilt Along »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rebeccabryan says

    July 15, 2022 at 11:33 am

    Susan, it’s always a joy to see your quilts! Thank you for being our featured member! <3

  2. Boullé says

    July 15, 2022 at 12:48 pm

    Bonjour c’est trop beau ce que Susan fait, jamais je ne pourrais faire la même chose , le quilting me fais très peur, mais je le fais quand même, je vous remercie de m’avoir recontactée . À bientôt Renée.

    • Jane Baumstark says

      July 15, 2022 at 11:51 pm

      Renee, nous rendons les courtepointes triangulaires modernes faciles à apprendre. Oui, vous pouvez le faire ! Je vous remercie pour vos aimables paroles.

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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

Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨ Walk i Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨

Walk into the sewing room, shut the door behind me, and suddenly all other problems disappear. 

A feeling we all know too well. 🙌

What are you sewing right now? Let me know in the comments! 💕

#quilthumor #quilterslife #quiltteacher #modernquilter
Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep read Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep reading for tip number four... 👇

Always print your templates at 100% scale.

Before cutting your fabric, measure the 1-inch test box on your template.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on and lead to some BIG oopsies. 😅

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for more freezer paper piecing tips that will make your quilting life easier and more enjoyable along the way. 💕
Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my fr Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my free class where I’ll teach you the life-changing technique that made me fall in love with quilting. 💕 

You’ll even leave with a free modern triangle block pattern to start sewing on your own! 🪡

Drop ‘FREE’ below and start the new creative hobby you’ve been dreaming about. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
1️⃣ Make a test block. I know it’s tempting to s 1️⃣ Make a test block. 

I know it’s tempting to skip this step... I cannot tell you how many times I have skipped making a test block and ended up regretting it later. If I had just made the test block, it would have saved me HOURS and HOURS of seam ripping and re-sewing, so take my advice and just always make the test block! 

I have never regretted making a test block, but I have regretted not making one. 😅

2️⃣ Celebrate the ta-da moments.

I’m not talking about just the finished quilt. I mean EVERY moment along the journey that feels like a win. Picking your colors and fabrics, sewing that first block, the points that line up, arranging blocks onto the design wall... Celebrate as much as you can along the way. 

I think too many quilters rush past these moments because they’re just focused on the finish line, but quilting isn’t one big “ta-da!” It’s a bunch of little “ta-da” moments stitched together.

3️⃣ Learn the freezer paper piecing technique.

I’m not kidding when I say it completely changed my quilty life... The more I quilt, the more I realize that frustration doesn’t make a quilt more valuable. Struggling doesn’t make you a better quilter. A good process gives you more confidence, helps you enjoy the sewing, and frees up a lot of your time to keep quilting. It makes you want to come back tomorrow and sew another block! 

Quilting is meant to be enjoyed and there’s so much to learn along the way. These three things have been HUGE along my quilting journey, and I know they can make an impact on yours too. 

What’s one thing that has completely changed your quilting journey? Share in the comments. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
When I say I’ve tried it all, and quilting was the When I say I’ve tried it all, and quilting was the only thing that stuck, I MEAN IT! 😅

👉 Tried gardening, and all the plants would die before I got around to them. 
👉 Tried crochet, and discovered I can’t count that high (or just don’t want to!)
👉 Tried making kids’ clothes, and they always grew out of them before I could finish. 

But quilting? THAT’S my bread and butter. 

It was my mom who got me into quilting many years ago, and I’ve even been teaching quilting for over a decade. 

I’ve built a community of thousands of quilters from all over, at all ages and all skill levels. 

And the most important part of what we do is have FUN. 🙌

Comment ‘FREE’ if you want to learn and have some fun along the way, i’ll send you to my free class to get started. 💌

#modernquilting #quiltingtechnique #quiltpattern #quiltdesign #quiltersofig
FREEZER PAPER PIECING TIP NUMBER 3 ⬇️ Always prin FREEZER PAPER PIECING TIP NUMBER 3 ⬇️

Always print your templates at 100% scale. Most printers are accurate, however, the template size may be off by a smidge with some printers.

Make a test print on printer paper. Measure the 1-inch scale box to check accuracy. Run a test when this happens by changing the scale setting a percent at a time, then remeasure the scale box until it’s the same size as the original template. Like I said, it happens, but not often!

Some quilters find that freezer paper shrinks after it runs through a printer. Another reason to check the scale box! You can’t turn down the printer’s temperature, but you can pre-shrink it by pressing it onto parchment paper. Peel it off, and you’re ready to try again.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on.

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later. 😅

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for freezer paper piecing tip number four coming next week! 💕

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltinggma quiltteacher
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Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨ Walk i Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨

Walk into the sewing room, shut the door behind me, and suddenly all other problems disappear. 

A feeling we all know too well. 🙌

What are you sewing right now? Let me know in the comments! 💕

#quilthumor #quilterslife #quiltteacher #modernquilter
Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep read Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep reading for tip number four... 👇

Always print your templates at 100% scale.

Before cutting your fabric, measure the 1-inch test box on your template.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on and lead to some BIG oopsies. 😅

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for more freezer paper piecing tips that will make your quilting life easier and more enjoyable along the way. 💕
Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my fr Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my free class where I’ll teach you the life-changing technique that made me fall in love with quilting. 💕 

You’ll even leave with a free modern triangle block pattern to start sewing on your own! 🪡

Drop ‘FREE’ below and start the new creative hobby you’ve been dreaming about. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
1️⃣ Make a test block. I know it’s tempting to s 1️⃣ Make a test block. 

I know it’s tempting to skip this step... I cannot tell you how many times I have skipped making a test block and ended up regretting it later. If I had just made the test block, it would have saved me HOURS and HOURS of seam ripping and re-sewing, so take my advice and just always make the test block! 

I have never regretted making a test block, but I have regretted not making one. 😅

2️⃣ Celebrate the ta-da moments.

I’m not talking about just the finished quilt. I mean EVERY moment along the journey that feels like a win. Picking your colors and fabrics, sewing that first block, the points that line up, arranging blocks onto the design wall... Celebrate as much as you can along the way. 

I think too many quilters rush past these moments because they’re just focused on the finish line, but quilting isn’t one big “ta-da!” It’s a bunch of little “ta-da” moments stitched together.

3️⃣ Learn the freezer paper piecing technique.

I’m not kidding when I say it completely changed my quilty life... The more I quilt, the more I realize that frustration doesn’t make a quilt more valuable. Struggling doesn’t make you a better quilter. A good process gives you more confidence, helps you enjoy the sewing, and frees up a lot of your time to keep quilting. It makes you want to come back tomorrow and sew another block! 

Quilting is meant to be enjoyed and there’s so much to learn along the way. These three things have been HUGE along my quilting journey, and I know they can make an impact on yours too. 

What’s one thing that has completely changed your quilting journey? Share in the comments. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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