September Aurifil Designer, Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts

Hi I’m Pat Sloan, the Aurifil Designer of the Month coordinator.  I’d like to introduce you to our September Aurifil Designer, Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. Edyta and I have know each other for years and Aurifil and I are so delighted to have her share her quilts with you as our September designer!

CLICK HERE to listen to my May 2, 2011 interview with Edyta

Post your photo at our Flickr folder and one quilter each month will win a prize of Aurifil thread! Post a photo of your completed top or a project. Everyone in the flickr folder is in the running!
Flickr folder –  http://www.flickr.com/groups/2011aurifildesignerofthemonth/

Let’s get to know Edyta!

1. When was your FIRST quilt sighting? Did it inspire you to start quilting? If not, what did?

I had no idea that I was looking at a quilt when I stood in a gallery in California memorized by the colors. I bumped my friend and whispered to her “I think that I can make that”. After I got married, my husband’s grandmother introduced me to the art of quilting and taught me how to “rock the needle”.

2.What is your favorite type of quilt or quilt pattern?

Pineapples and Log Cabin have always been my favorites. I love playing with the blocks and adding a twist to these traditional design. Aurifil threads allow me to get perfect seams!

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

I love choosing fabrics for my quilts and cutting out and arranging my appliqués. It reminds me of making flower arrangements – you go to your garden, choose your favorite flowers and arrange them in a vase to create a beautiful bouquet. I love combining piecing and appliqué in my quilts.

Aurifil threads became the inspiration for this wonderful little quilt and my Aurifil thread colors created a perfect finish for the appliqué

4.Do you do other crafts now? Did you do those BQ ‘Before Quilting’, what types of ‘stuff making’ do you connect with the most??

I love making dresses for my girls, or knitting a scarf for them, but quilting remains at the top of my to-do list.

I used Aurifil threads to complete my daughter’s prom dress!

5. Did you have a career prior to making art, and what was it? Do you still do that career while having your design business? If you’ve always done art, did you do another type before quilt making?

Art has always been a part of my career, from painting to dressmaking and decorating. I am very lucky to have support from my family that allows me to express myself though quilting and other artwork.

6.How do you fill your soul? What I mean by this is – what makes you SO HAPPY that you know that if you do this you are experiencing a little ‘Heaven on Earth’?

Being on the beach with my kids and husband always gives me the most wonderful feeling, add a sunset to it and I am in heaven!

7.When you start a new project do you have a ritual you follow? Like cleaning your work area, buying a new tablet to sketch in, or maybe having a new bag of M&M’s on hand

Before starting every project, I always say a little prayer. And after I’m finished I have a ritual of saving something leftover from the project; maybe an extra block, a special piece of fabric, or maybe a surplus appliqué piece. One day I’m going to put all of these souvenirs into a special scrap quilt.

8.Do you have a process to get your ideas started? I use a theme and words. Some people use photos, fabric swatches… etc

I’m inspired by everything around me! At this moment I’m working on a new collection for Moda called “Love Letters” and just like a lover pours their feelings onto paper, a quilter does the same with fabrics.

9. What is your favorite weight of Aurifil thread? What are you ‘go to’ thread colors

My favorite weight is 50 and my “must have” colors are 2370 and 2310. I also love the new Aurifil Nylon Smoky Invisible thread for fusible appliqué!

10.Besides your sewing machine, what are the tools you MUST have when you quilt?

I need my Aurifil thread and lots of pins to keep my pieces in place.

11. Do you travel to teach? And if so, how often and what types of groups? Guilds, stores, retreats, big shows? Is there a schedule on your blog or website?

Yes, I’m on the road right now blogging from an airport in Spokane, Washington. I love to visit quilter around the world and see new places. We don’t have a schedule yet, but we are planning this addition to our website in the future. My next quilting teaching destination is France; I hope to see you there!

12.How would you describe your personality? Are you process oriented, detailed, big picture, are you carefree, structured, unstructured, all over the place depending on the project?

I don’t waste time procrastinating and preparing, I just jump right in, tackle one thing at a time, and enjoy the process.

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

I would love to spend one more day with Grandma Anna – the person who taught me to quilt. I miss her company and sharing of her quilting attitude where each quilt was a blanket of love.

14. What else is new?

I have dedicated my new book “Reasons for Quilts” to Grandma Anna and through it I share some wonderful reasons why quilts are made.

And a few on the light side… answer ones that apply

• The Book you are currently reading – Valentine

• Your Favorite Movie  – Star Trek

• A Song that makes you ‘dance the happy dance’ –Shakira – Hips Don’t Lie

• The Color you have always LOVED….. Brown, Blue, and Pink

************** THE PATTERN/The Giveaway ******************

Edyta says  “In Full Bloom” is a delightful little project that I love to use my Aurifil threads on. If you decide to hand appliqué I recommend using 2370 weight 50 Aurifil thread. For machine and fusible appliqué I love to use Aurifil’s new nylon invisible thread in the top and 2370 weight 50 in the bobbin. Finally if you would like a extra color around the edges of the appliqué, go with a button-stitch and choose threads from my “Kit Art” thread box “A Few of my Favorite Threads”, it will ensure great results.

Visit Edyta at her website http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/

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CLICK HERE to download Edyta Sitar’s In Full Bloom Wallhanging pattern

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EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made one of the Designer projects to receive a special Aurifil thread prize.. wowzer!!.

You can make ANY of the designer projects (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/2011aurifildesignerofthemonth/

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