Since I asked the question, I get to answer first.
I really like Robert Callaham. His patterns are often in McCall's Quilting magazine. You get two or three blocks per issue until the project is done which will take about a year. I have made several of his designs and always get compliments (as well as a few ribbons). I prefer applique which he uses alot and mixes it well with piecing. His borders are different as they are usually pieced also.
Has anyone out there done any of his Grandma Album quilts? I think there were three. Which one(s)?
How's about you? Who do you like?
Suzanne

I think my favorite 2 designers are Joanna Figuero of Fig Tree Quilts, and Kim Diehl. They both do beautiful work, wonderful combinations of traditional quilts and applique.

I'm not being ugly, But I've yet to find a designer that I really like, But there are some teachers I really like.

Suz, hi, I'm one of the new kids on the block, but just saw you mention Robert Callaham. Just this week I borrowed issues of McCalls from a dear friend that had the Grandma II patterns from 1999. I fell in love with his designs and I love all the applique. Due to money constraints, I am going to do mine with a rather scrappy look, because I have a zillion fat quarters. Have you done any of his and if so which ones? I want a copy of the patterns for the first Grandma's I, but my friend didn't have them. She does have the Serenade ones and that will be my next project if I can do the Grandma II.
If you h ave made one of his, how did it turn out?

How odd that I just found him this week.... Janie

Well, now that one interesting question. I never thought about who designed quilt patterns.


I am more of a traditionalist. I like the old and simple designs. I don't think I will be making "fancy" design quilts. Something easy to do.

I didn't start making quilts until 2000 and then it was an idea to use up a lot of fabric I had collected. As a dressmaker, I had saved a lot of different fabrics, I sorted and gave to a Senior Center all the dress fabrics and types not useful in quilting. I ecided to save the "useful" fabric and started making 9 patch blocks. Prior to that I had made 2 quilted bedspreads, not really thinking of them as quilts.

BY THE WAY..... What makes a quilt a quilt? What is the real definition of a quilt? Is anything we make that has quilting on it, a quilt? Or is a quilt something we sleep under or make to keep others warm?

I tend to think a quilt is a large bedsize "blanket" or "cover" for use in keeping the body heat in and sleeping in comfort.

Merriam Webster says:

Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English quilte mattress, quilt, from Anglo-French coilte, from Latin culcita mattress
1 a : a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs
2 : something that is quilted or resembles a quilt <a quilt of houses and parks>

Function: verb
transitive verb
1 a : to fill, pad, or line like a quilt b (1) : to stitch, sew, or cover with lines or patterns like those used in quilts (2) : to stitch (designs) through layers of cloth c : to fasten between two pieces of material
2 : to stitch or sew in layers with padding in between
intransitive verb
1 : to make quilts
2 : to do quilted work
- quilt·er noun

Technically speaking, the Cathedral Windows technique does not produce a real quilt. I for one, however, will not argue with anybody who does all that work and wants to call it a quilt anyway. They can call it whatever they want. :lol: :wink:

Sorry you had to go to so much trouble for your answer.

I was merely interested in what others considered to be quilts. I am sorry if I ruffled your feathers.

I met a designer in the past few years, who I admire greatly. Edyta Sitar is a local Michigan artisan who designs some lovely pieces that we occasionaly have hanging in the shop.

http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/

One of my favorite designers is John Serrao, an amazing and creative artist. I bet he's created 1000 patterns, maybe more! I also love Elizabeth Root's designs, and patterns by Vicky Fleming.

Janie,

Yes, I have done Grandma's County Album II and mine too is a scrappy quilt. All of my backgrounds are different. I have also done the centers of two others of his designs. One is "Wilson Canyon Thistle Rose" from 2003. The other is like a "Tree of Life" with identical long-tailed birds. Robert has a design called "tree of life", but the one I did is different. I probably did it in 2001.

When I start a scrappy, I pull everything that I think will go into the project. Could be 40-50 fabrics. I use Xerox box lids. Everything used then comes from this stash. Just stack your fabrics up and then back off looking for anything that does not seem to fit. Don't attempt to be too "matchy-matchy". If something looks good for a particular block, just go for it. Remember the pieces are pretty small. Nothing is put back on the shelves until the entire project is done. -- This could take a year.

I am particularly pleased with the outside border. It has 196 flying geese in it. Whew!!! but they look great.

One more thing. I know I have seen this advertised in the past year, but could not find same in the issues of McCall's that I checked. Keep an eye out for an advertisement in McCall"s wherein you can buy a complete pattern for any of his designs instead of finding all of the back issues for a particular project.

Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments on GMCAII. Suzanne