A Week in the Life of a Fabric Designer, Part 1

Hello, my name is Lynne and I have designed fabric for Moda for 20 years. I create quilts from those fabrics, write books and patterns, teach workshops, and host retreats. Our company is Kansas Troubles Quilters. My husband, Robert, manages our KT Quilt Shop in Bennington, Kansas.

Those are the basics of my life, sounding very much like I'm at a meeting for a 12-step program for the quilt addicted. Every time I visit a quilt guild or teach a class, someone always asks:
"What's your process?"
"Do you get to sew everyday?"
"What are you working on?"

1. Inspiration comes from everywhere - nature, travel, vintage quilts or quilts I want for my home.

2. No, unfortunately, I don't get to sew everyday. Sometimes, when I'm on a deadline, I don't touch my machine for a week or more.

3. This is the trickiest question. Usually, I'm working with 3-4 fabric lines at a time. Over the next couple weeks, I'll let you in on my creative process and what a week in my designing life looks like.

Milestones fabric, BOM, Kit To Quilt and more 

Milestones Projects

Milestones arrived in late fall along with several patterns featuring the collection. I used Milestones along with my KT Favorites III fabric for the 20 Years of KTQ block-of-the-month and was inspired by some of the blocks to create additional projects (the 4 patterns are included as a bonus when you purchase the BOM). Here's the Milestones swatch chart with sku numbers for easy planning. And, a few of my favorites.

Milestones

20 Plus - classic blues and tans

A Few Little Extras - two pillow covers and a pincushion, just for fun.

Bee-you-ti-ful Runner - to bring some sunshine inside everyday.

Woven Dreams Jelly Roll lap quilt - easy traditional piecing

2 Steps Forward - Milestones charm pattern

20 Years of KTQ

First, I was working with the most current fabric line and the monthly programs we have in progress.  We had a new block-of-the-month, 20 Years of KTQ beginning the first week of January. I worked with Joy at the store to make sure the kits were cut, the goodies were packed (usually with a little surprise), and that Robert could ship them on time. I was also piecing some of the blocks to post a quilt-a-long on Facebook at 20 Years of KTQ. If you're working on the quilt, join us on the 15th and 30th of each month for tips, to post your blocks and ask questions.

20 Years of KTQ BOM

Kit To Quilt

Our mystery kit was due to ship the first of February, so I needed to make sure the pattern was ready, buttons were ordered, write an intro letter, and let Joy know what was included in the kit. This month's project was just in time for Valentine's Day, String of Hearts. It's one of my easy, no piecing, Mini Table Treats. Just layer the circles, quilt, applique, bind. So fast & fun! Every other month, you'll receive everything you need to complete a small project - table topper, pillow, runner, wall quilt - for only $30 postage paid (retail value $40+).

At the same time, I was editing patterns for Through the Years, writing patterns and making quilts for the new Christmas line, Sweet Holly (June), working on new designs for the Spring Market collection, Bittersweet Lane, and designing a new line of fabric for Spring 2021. That's all coming up in the next few posts.

Is there anything you'd like to know about a designer's life? I'm happy to answer any of your questions.

Comment to win the String of Hearts digital pattern. It is one of 7 new Mini Table Treats created for a new booklet this spring.