• Blog
  • About
  • Links
  • Canadian Sewing Links
  • Contact
  • Sales
  Happy Okapi

Canadian Sewing Blog Hop -Libs Elliott

6/29/2016

5 Comments

 
Today I'm sharing about a Canadian quilt pattern and fabric designer, Libs Elliott. Her first fabric collection, True Love, has just been released and it's already a hit. Make sure to check out the rest of the stops of the blog hop and learn about some other Canadian sewing resources.

Canada Day 2016 Blog Hop Schedule

Be sure to visit each of these brilliant blogs this week for more on our outstanding Canadian designers and suppliers:

And, of course, to enter our giveaway for some sweet-like-maple-syrup prizes.

June 24: The Tour Starts HERE at Happy Okapi

June 25: Celine guest posts on Happy Okapi; Marsha @ Seam of my Pants

June 26: Fiona @ Tangled Blossoms Designs; Carla @ Half Dozen Daily

June 27: Sherry @ Thread Riding Hood; Reece @ Happy Okapi

June 28: Nicky guest posts on Seam of my Pants

June 29: Daniela @ On the Cutting Floor; Reece @ Happy Okapi

June 30: Michelle @ Michelle's Creations

Canada Day--June 31*: Ula @ Lulu & Celeste

July 2: Marsha @ Seam of my Pants

July 3: Keshia @ Sand Dollar Design Studio

July 4: Wrap Up @ Happy Okapi

July 6: Giveaway winners announced

* Yes, we know!


u

Libs works and lives in Toronto and her quilt patterns are really unique in that they're designed with use of a programming language called Processing. You can read more about the process on her website. I'm so grateful she took the time to answer my questions. I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Libs' quilt pattern The Rebel Quilt.
Picture
True Love is your first fabric collection, but you've been in the sewing world for a while now; what led you from quilt pattern design to fabric design?

​It felt like a natural progression for me. I wanted to use fabrics in my quilts that didn’t really exist, so I designed them. Plus, I use code to design a lot of my quilts and patterns, and that code lends itself well to designing repeats. So I used it for a few of the prints in True Love (e.g Wound Up, Pony Boy, Mathcore) while drawing and painting to make others (e.g. Flash, Venom, Dark Matter). Fabric design is a new and fun challenge.
Picture

Do you have a favourite local quilt shop, and do they treat you like a celebrity when you go there?

My favourite local quilt shop is The Workroom. I remember when it first opened and I was so excited about the space. That’s where I first learned to quilt – I took one class taught by Johanna Masko and I was hooked! Karyn, the owner, is so talented and has great taste when selecting fabrics for the shop. They don’t treat me like a celebrity – more like a regular – and I’m good with that.

How did you get into sewing?

I remember watching my mom sew us clothes and costumes. She taught me how to hand sew when I was quite young and I’d make all kinds of Barbie outfits. I really learned my way around a machine in Grade 10 sewing class. That was the best class I took in highschool. (Typing was a close second.)

What do you find most rewarding about the work you do?

I love exposing people to my work who normally wouldn’t think much, if at all, about quilts or quilting. To make people aware that it’s a craft that’s alive and well, that’s valuable and still relevant in the 21st century, that it’s an art form that requires skill and consideration.
It’s also rewarding to teach other quilters new skills and share my patterns with them. To see how each person makes one of my patterns into their own, and how they interpret them…and the fact that people want to make my patterns at all…it’s incredibly humbling.

Do you ever get creative blocks? What do you do to get out of those funks?

I do get creative blocks. I lose motivation to sew and sometimes it can happen at unexpected times. If I’m not on a deadline, then I just wait it out until I feel ready again. If I AM on a deadline, I try to set goals for myself. I’ll take time to get fresh air and clear my head. I’ll try to make/sew/create during the hours I know I do my best work.

Who is/was your role model and why?

My grandfather was a role model for me. He built steam engines, was great with math and engineering. I loved watching him work in his workshop, making things with his bare hands. Most importantly, he treated everyone he met equally and with kindness. He was a real fixture in our community. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was only 13 but the impact his life (and death) had on me was immense. So, these are the things I now try to bring to the quilting community – encouragement and positivity. Being open to new people and ideas. I don’t always feel like I ‘fit’, but I do try to make a positive contribution. That’s basically how I go about life in general.

Here's my happy mail from Sitka Fabrics; isn't it awesome?! The entire collection of True Love is available from Sitka, and make sure to check the Sales Tab for discount details.
Picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway
5 Comments
fiona kelly
6/29/2016 08:46:47 am

Oooooooh LOVE those fabrics! I'd not seen them before and my mind is now going on overdrive 😃

Reply
Michelle link
6/29/2016 01:03:38 pm

Wonderful post. Very inspiring to read others' journeys to how they got where they were happiest and most fulfilled. LOVE the fabrics!

Reply
Marsha link
7/2/2016 09:12:40 pm

It's so good to see another talented fabric designer out there.

Reply
Sarah Phillips link
11/8/2016 05:58:48 pm

I loved reading the interview. Her art is inspiring.

Reply
Reece link
11/10/2016 08:16:14 pm

Thanks for stopping by! It really is inspiring and the fabric has been so fun to work with.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Instagram

    RSS Feed

    Sponsors and Affiliates


    Picture
    Swoon Sewing Patterns

    Save 10% with code OKAPI10



    On The Go Bags

    Categories

    All
    Canadian Shops
    Crafts
    Designer Spotlight
    Discounts
    Everything Else
    Handbags
    Patterns
    Sew Alongs
    Sewing Books
    Tutorial
    Video


    One Thimble Issue 8 Out Now

    Archives

    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015


    Author

    Hi! I'm Reece and I love to sew! I'm also a mom and a wife. I love being crafty and sharing tips.

    Visit Happy Okapi's profile on Pinterest.

    Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links provide me with a portion of those sales. Proceeds earned through these links help pay to continue running this site. Thank you for your support! 

woven-pear-socks