Say hi to Lisa Pickering, an Island Batik Ambassador since 2022! A creative mind behind Lisa’s Quilting Passion blog, Lisa learned to sew from her Grandmother when she was 5 years old, and has always loved the challenges to quilting. She loves to share her love with others, to help them learn to love quilting as much as she does. Quilting gives her the ability to share and teach others while she is having fun creating.
We caught up with Lisa to learn more about her creative process, and here’s what she shared with us!
Island Batik: What sparked your interest in quilting, and how did your journey begin? Was there a particular quilt or moment that ignited your passion?
Lisa: I have been sewing since I was around 5 years old. My grandmother taught me how to make shirts for my brother and myself. I enjoyed making clothes for my sons when they were little. Once the boys had all grown up, and I had more free time, and started looking at fabric to buy. I really didn’t want to make more clothes, so thought I would try to make a quilt. I found Missouri Star Quilt Co videos, and they helped me get started quilting. Then I was hooked.
Where do you find inspiration for your quilt designs? Are there specific experiences, places, or memories that influence your work?
Depending on the fabric design, I look at ideas that represent that fabric. I like to look at other people’s quilts to get some ideas. I then use EQ8 to help put my ideas into quilts.
Can you describe your creative process from concept to completion? How do you decide on colors, patterns, and fabrics?
I look at the fabric, and then depending if there is a suggested project, I start working in EQ8 to put my thoughts into designs. I like that I can upload the fabric into the software to help see how it will look. Some fabrics just don’t go well together.
How do your quilts reflect your personal emotions or experiences? Do you find that quilting helps you process or express these emotions?
Sometimes, I like to see bright fabrics, but have noticed some of my favorite are a darker fabrics.
What is the most challenging quilt you’ve ever made, and how did you overcome those challenges? What did you learn from that experience?
Curves, I make my husband welding caps that have curves, but they don’t lay flat. I wanted to create a quilt with curves. I took a class to help with making an Apple core quilt, using a template to cut out the pieces. The class helped me find ways to help with piecing. I learned that taking time and asking for help, can help with a more challenging project.
How does your cultural background or heritage influence your quilting? Are there specific traditions or techniques you incorporate into your work?
My sister-in-law gave me some books and supplies that her mother and grandmother had used. There was a letter that her grandmother had written about how she learned to quilt. She was the first to learn to quilt, and used a book from the library to learn. She later purchased that book from the library, and it was in the books I received. I created a quilt using that book, but using modern techniques to create the blocks. It was a sampler quilt, and I sent it to my sister-in-law when I was done with a copy of that letter, and the newsletter article about her grandmother. My family really didn’t quilt, my grandmother was the only one that really did sewing, and that was usually small crafts or all of her clothes.
How has your quilting style evolved over the years? Can you identify key moments or pieces that marked significant changes in your approach?
I didn’t start quilting until later, but using the old book, with templates that you trace, and add a seam allowance, and then pieced together, and converting that to using a rotary cutter has really helped in making quilts. Techniques from the past had a lot of “y” seams, and know there a more modern techniques that help eliminate them. Instead of cutting a lot of triangles, I do 8-at-a-time to create.
If you could have any superpower to assist you in your quilting, what would it be and why?
More time, because there never is enough time to sew. And to help come up with ideas quickly, so I don’t spend so much of that valuable time trying to put my idea into reality.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, on a quilt project, who would it be and what kind of quilt would you create together?
Rob Appell, with Man Sewing. He has such cool designs and ideas, and I have watched his video and learned so much. I have been working on a quilt from one of his designs, using a ruler he created with Missouri Star Quilt Co. I hope to have done in time for my December project for IBA.
What are your future goals or dreams for your quilting? Are there new techniques, themes, or projects you’re excited to explore?
Learning more about my long-arm Juki, to be able to be more creative in the designs. Maybe learn to create the pantographs myself for each quilt. Quilting – I would like to figure out how to do the reverse appliqué technique. A theme I have been thinking about doing is a Ovarian Cancer quilt design.
Be sure to follow Lisa on Instagram and subscribe to her blog to see what she’s working on right now!
To see the whole 2024 Island Batik Ambassador team, please visit: https://islandbatik.com/2024-ambassadors/
Is there anything else you want to ask Lisa? Leave us a comment below!