Linda standing in front of her quilt Rainbow's End, using hand marbled fabrics from Germany
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When did you start quilting? Although I feel as if I have been quilting
all my life, I started about 20 years ago when I lived in New York City. I was the
Needlework and Crafts Editor for Dover Publications, editing books on quilting,
meeting authors and testing techniques.
Are you self-taught? I was taught to embroider and knit by my
mother, and to crochet by my grandmother. I've been sewing since I was 10, so quilting
was a natural progression, although 1⁄4in seams were a bit different from 5⁄8in seams!
In a way, I had the authors that I was working with as teachers. By the time I
finished editing a book on a particular technique, I knew how to do it.
Javan Leaves, made to showcase a batik from Indonesia. Linda says that by
following the fabric design for cutting the shapes, the quilt almost designed itself'
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Favourite colour? My son just asked me that the other day
and I had to reply peacock-greeny-blue which made sense to him. I also love
orange and yellow, colours which I use in many of my quilts. I like working with
bright colours, but often challenge myself to use subtle tones and shades as well.
Size of stash - and where do
you keep it? My workroom is my old kitchen and I use all the cupboards that once held dishes
and tins for my fabrics and equipment. I've got everything set up there so I can
sew whenever I want, even if only for a short time. I haven't got a clue how much
fabric I have, but believe me, I'll never run out in my lifetime! And that's if I stop
buying now, which is an impossibility.
What about dyeing? I love buying and working with hand-dyed
fabrics, but haven't taken that plunge yet myself. I know it will be just as addictive
as quiltmaking, judging by those friends who dye their own fabrics.
Batik Flowers made by Keith Seward and his classmates at Hereward House
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How does quilting fit in with other commitments?
I don't feel happy unless I have sewed at least one hour a day. If a week goes by
and I haven't held a needle, I get very twitchy. I try to sew for two or three hours
a day or more if I can. My main commitments are my children and I fit
the quilting in around them.
Most admired living quilter? Lynne Edwards - we've had a mutual
admiration society since the day we met and I think she is a fabulous quilter,
teacher, friend and humorist.
Fronds by Lynne Edwards, one of Linda's favourite quilts
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Do you enjoy working with children? Definitely. Last year I helped make a quilt
with my son's school. It involved about 60 boys, aged between five and eight, who
made batik flower blocks during the school's art week. I was asked to put the
blocks together and I took the quilt to school for the boys to tie. They really
loved doing it and have sent me the most wonderful thank you notes.
Are you interested in other textile crafts? I have been embroidering, knitting and
crocheting since the age of five, and still enjoy those techniques as well as
needlepoint and tapestry.
Favourite quilt technique? If I said sewing on the binding I wouldn't be
lying - not just because it means the quilt is finished but because It gives me one last
chance to handle and look over the piece. It's easy, rhythmic stitching and I love the
way it transforms the look of the quilt. However, as I'm making a quilt, I love each
part of it, from choosing the fabrics and patterns to piecing and quilting.
After graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Home Economics, Linda
studied fashion in New York City. Before moving to England she worked as an
editor for McCall's Needlework and Crafts magazine and Dover Publications. Having
edited dozens of books on all types of crafts, she always felt that she would
rather be quilting. Her book The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting and
Appliqué (published by Mitchell Beazley) is quoted by many as being
the definitive 'bible' on quiltmaking.
Foursome designed in Linda's head during night feeds for Keith as a baby. It toured Europe for two years as part of a travelling exhibition.
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Photographs by Lynne Edwards and Linda Seward.
First published in Popular Patchwork Volume 11 Number 1 - January 2003
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