I'm in a Magazine!

Hey, hey! You can find my Bell Bottoms quilt in the brand spankin' new issue of Quilty, on newstands right now!

I know- super cool, right?! Rush right on out and pick up a copy right now. Right this minute! :)

OK, well, you can eat breakfast and drink your coffee first. Actually, you might want to wait for your coffee so you can sip as you leisurely browse through this super great new publication. And I'm not just saying that because I am in it.

Seriously, this is a fun magazine. Chock full of quilt patterns, fabric, fun features and more. You simply must check it out!

Want to see my quilt? It's on page 72.

You can even make one like it. It's jelly roll friendly.

I was so completely honored when Mary Fons contacted me and asked me if they could feature my quilt. It took me all of two seconds to say "YES!"

Photo courtesy of Mary Fons

Mary is the host of Quilty, the online quilting show and the editor of this brand new mag.  She graciously agreed to be interviewed by yours truly so read on to find out more about Mary, Quilty and modern quilting.

ELQ: Mary, you come from a rather famous quilting family. Have you always been interested in quilting?  What keeps you coming back? 

No, I wasn't always a quilter. I was always interested in quilts though, because, like books, they surrounded me throughout my childhood. They were familiar objects and I knew my mom made them, her friends made them, and they were very special, gorgeous things. It wasn't until I was 28 or so that I had my "quilt epiphany." I think that quilting is something that can take root when we're young, but the actual quilt making comes a little later when you're ready to sit down for five minutes and create something from nothing that isn't your career or your family.

I ache to quilt. I come back to patchwork again and again because it's new and thrilling every single time, every single block, every single finished quilt.

ELQ: What is your definition of modern quilting? 

To me, every person on earth who is making a quilt is a modern quilter -- and that's been true since the first quilt was made. I mean, "modern" is a relative term, right? Quilters who used the first motorized sewing machines were modern. The first ones to embrace the rotary cutting method, they were modern. Die-cutters are modern. I feel like it's an empowering thing, to look around at all the technology available and say, "This is great! Look what I can do now!" That's modernity. 

All that being said, I also define modern quilting in relation to the Modern Quilt Guild milieu and I adore them -- the quilts and the people. I am so thrilled that people are taking note of their environments and their lives and putting those feelings, images, and tones into patchwork. It's what quilters are supposed to do, right? The modern quilt today continues to evolve and I love every stitch I see. 

ELQ: What is your impression of the online quilting and sewing community? 

They're amazing. They're quilters, after all, and quilters are some of the kindest, most awesome people you can hope to meet. Quilty (the show) was born out of a desire to serve the internet community. We're all moving online more and more and more. The internet is an extension of ourselves, I think. 

ELQ: What inspired you to create Quilty? 

Thanks for asking! I was at quilt market in Houston a couple years ago and I looked around at all the vendors, the knowledge base, the entrepreneurial spirit and all these amazing women and I thought, "More people my age should be doing this. More people in general should know how incredible quilting can be and how much information and fabric and guidance is available." So there was that: that if more people don't start making quilts, this industry will falter and that would be very sad. 

That's when the idea sparked, but I needed to confirm something. I called up a friend of mine and asked her what she would do if she wanted to make a quilt -- she had never made one before. "I'd go on YouTube," she said. It's what I thought she'd say. So I sat down at Market and checked out what was available on YouTube for quilt instruction. No hateration, but… It was not so good. Fuzzy videos, handheld cameras, instruction that assumed way, way too much about the knowledge level of the viewer. And that was it. I knew I wanted to create a quilting how-to show for people who were new to quilting that was entertaining, educational, and just a good time. Half the hesitation from beginners (and I have taught a lot) is the intimidation factor. I want that to die. 

So Quilty was pitched and green-lighted and then started the hard, hard work of getting sponsors, making the demos, making the show itself, etc., etc. And I absolutely, positively ADORE making that show, however much work it takes each time we shoot. 

ELQ: I love the sneak peek of Quilty online. The layout is fresh and modern, and I particularly like the whimsical notes and drawings in the margins.  What else makes Quilty different from other quilting magazines? 

Thanks! My goal with the magazine is to help you feel like your best friend is teaching you how to quilt. Like, your actual friend. The intimidation factor is gone, hopefully, but it's not goofy or flip or silly for silliness sake. I have a deep and abiding respect and love for quilts, quilters, and the history of the art form and I hope very much that comes across. But when you sit down to make a baby quilt for your sister's first baby, you're not thinking about all that. You just want to make something awesome and not cry because it's not working. You want to have fun and be a quilter and be THE TOTAL SUPERSTAR OF THAT BABY SHOWER, Y'ALL!!! (It's true. You will be.) 

Quilty magazine is an extension of the show and a way for beginners of every age/stage to see that they can make patchwork and they are so welcome in this world. 

ELQ: What special features can readers expect from Quilty each month? 

We've got a longarmer article each month from my friend Ebony Love, who is amazing. I'm doing a feature called "LOOT" which is a roundup of non-quilting items in the world that quilters will love for home, etc. Interviews with important folks, an article called "A Rookie Speaks" from my intern/assistant Matt, who is a true beginner and has all these great insights about how to teach quilting, what's confusing, what's easy, etc. And you know, lots of doodles. Guess who draws those? :)

ELQ: What are your goals for the Quilty magazine?

I would love Quilty magazine to be available by subscription someday soon. Right now, it'll just be on newsstands for the first year. I'd like to increase the page number from 100 to 125+ because we have so many advertisers clamoring for space. That would be great! I want a matte cover. We can't do it yet because of budget stuff, but one day… I want people to keep Quilty magazines on their shelves with their quilting books, etc. because each issue is just that good. 

ELQ: Quilty online is a great resource for beginning quilters. What advice do you have for people just starting out and for those that are more seasoned? 

Take the pressure off yourself. Just the other day, I completely sewed an entire row incorrectly and had to rip out stuff and start over and it was totally annoying and it happens all the time. Learn the right way -- it's easier. Get a mentor or two: it's a hands-on skill and watching is crucial. (Yes, you can count Quilty shows as one mentor…) ;)

Thanks Mary for chatting with me! You can check out a preview of Quilty online. 

Now, would you like to get your hands on a copy of Quilty? I bet you would! 

To enter, leave me a comment letting me know what you would like to see more of here at Ellison Lane Quilts. :) Simple, right? This giveaway is now closed. 

Make sure you leave an email for me to get in touch with you and sorry, this giveaway is open to US residents only. 

The winner will be announced on Sunday. Good luck! 


Have a great day! 
xo, 
Jennifer