Christa Watson is an award-winning quilter, designer, author and teacher. She has been sewing since 1994, but it wasn’t until six years ago, when she came across a modern quilt in a magazine, that she discovered her true quilting aesthetic. Realizing her passion for modern design spurred Christa on to greatness. Over the last ten years, working in the quilting industry has become her full-time job. She has written numerous patterns and three books on machine quilting: Piece and Quilt with Precuts; The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting: Long-Arm and Sit-Down; and Machine Quilting with Style: From Walking Foot Wonders to Free-Motion Favorites. Christa has filmed two classes with Craftsy and has a third on the way. And she just released her first line of fabric (named Modern Marks )with Benartex, as part of their new Contempo division. Christa travels all over the country teaching others to love machine quilting as much as she does. Welcome, Christa!
How would you describe your quilting style/aesthetic?
Christa: I started off as a very traditional quilter back in the 90’s but as the years passed realized that none of the quilts I was making would fit in with my home décor. It wasn’t until 2012 that I finally stumbled upon modern quilts and realized that’s the style that most appeals to me.
Christa’s Charming Chevrons Quilt on the Cover of Quilty Magazine. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
How would you describe the creative environment in your home as a child?
Christa: My mom was always very creative and was forever enrolling me in fun arts and crafts classes and finding creative outlets for us to do things together. We tried candy making, needle point, ceramics, crochet and of course sewing. She loved sewing and making garments but it was not my jam. So it wasn’t until much later that I found quilting on my own and then it was my turn to get my mom involved in what *I* loved to do!
Christa’s books are available on her website, Christa Quilts. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
What artists and makers do you most admire or have an influence on your work?
Christa: I have two current “quilt crushes:” Jacquie Gering (@jqcquietps on IG) and Heather Black (@quiltachusetts on IG).
I got to know Jacquie pretty well after the first QuiltCon back in 2013. I love her clean bold style and her willingness to push the boundaries of walking foot quilting. She’s had a big influence on me because she gave the folks over at Craftsy my name as an instructor recommendation a couple years ago. Now I’m currently working on my third class with them.
Heather and I met online and I was instantly drawn to her graphic modern style and the amazing designs she can create with curves. Her quilt “Mod Shapes” is an example of an amazing design she made from my Modern Marks fabric collection. She makes the kinds of quilts I wish I could design! In fact I love her work so much that we are currently collaborating on a pattern that will be released along with my next fabric collection at Spring Quilt Market. I can’t wait!
Heather Black’s Quilt “Mod Blocks” Made With Christa’s New Fabric, Modern Marks, by Benartex. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
Do you consider yourself a “quilter”, an artist, or some combination of both?
Christa: Definitely a quilter. Although I always wanted to be an artist when I was younger.
I never pursued it though because I can’t really draw anything other than abstract shapes. However, the more I’m getting involved with quilting as a career, and especially understanding fabric design, the more my understanding of what an artist is has changed. So maybe I am becoming an artist after all!
Modern Marks. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
How would you define “making with intention”?
Christa: I think it means being very thoughtful about the work. I had a period of time early in my quilting where I was just slapping things together in a hurry to practice my skills, but I wasn’t happy with the final product. I’ve learned over time that I prefer to slow things down and think about every step of the process.
I think that’s why I resonate with the idea of doing every part of the quilting process myself, rather than outsourcing any of it. I enjoy savoring each step and love to call it my own from start to finish.
Color Weave. An experiment in color and design based off of a woven door mat. Color Weave hung at QuiltCon 2018. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
Do you think that having a craft makes us more compassionate? If so, then how?
Christa: Definitely! I feel that I’ve gained a lot of compassion as I travel and teach other creatives. Not only have I gained an understanding of how best to teach different learning styles, I’ve also learned to be more open to differing viewpoints, and different ways of doing things.
I’ve also realized that most quilters need an in-person community with whom to laugh and cry. Quilting, like any craft can be at once both joyful and cathartic. From creating a baby quilt, to help mourning the loss of a loved one, there’s something special about gathering with like-minded souls to share both the joys and the sorrows.
Star Shadow. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
How does creating feed your soul/spiritual purpose?
Christa: I think all people have a need to create, build, or make. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get from creating something beautiful and functional from a pile of inert supplies. I just have this constant feeling that I NEED to make. I also have a constant feeling that I need to empower others to find joy in their creativity, which is probably why I love teaching so much.
Christa’s Class, The Quilter’s Path, is available on Craftsy now. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
Are there any rituals that you perform to prepare/ground yourself in your work?
Christa: I have to clean up my work area before I begin. I’m one that can’t work in clutter and chaos. I also can’t work if there are too many things demanding my attention – and that feeling occurs most often when there are too many things to do and too little time.
So lately I’ve started keeping an ongoing list of everything that has to be done, even if it’s pretty far in the future. It’s on my computer so I can refer to it daily and edit it judiciously. Just the act of writing it down clears it out of my head and allows me to focus on what I’m doing in the present. I’ve realized I can’t really be productive until my physical space is clean and my mind is clear.
What is the support system you have in place for creating your work?
Christa: I have a very supportive husband. He quit his job about 10 years ago to work with me full time and he understands my need for organization and my drive to be constantly trying new things.
How do you deal with comparison to / envy of others? Can you describe a time when you used comparison/envy/admiration to push yourself in your own work and self-discovery?
Christa: Recently, I made the dramatic step of curtailing my social media. That kind of flies in the face of all the business gurus that say you should be posting everything everywhere to grow your business.
However, I realized that being online too much threw me into a frenzy of comparison envy. I kept feeling like I couldn’t possibly keep up with what others in the industry are doing. Once I stepped back, I realized that I do my best work when I’m not worried about what others are doing.
I made a huge self-discovery in that it wasn’t enough for me to just to “ignore” what others are doing. I had to actually remove things like Facebook from my phone and quit a bunch of networking groups. I think it goes back to that “clutter of the mind” thing, that prevents me from getting things done! Don’t get me wrong – I’m still online. Just not as much. My new motto now is “less screen – more machine!”
[Ed. Note: After stepping back her social media presence, Christa certainly has not missed out on any opportunities! In fact, she is currently working on her 4th book proposal, her 3rd Craftsy class and her 2nd fabric line, not to mention preparing for a slew of in-person workshops! To learn more about Christa’s social media diet, you can check the links above.]
Christa teaches classes on machine quilting around the world and online through Craftsy. Image Courtesy of Christa Watson.
How do you see your current work in the context of quilting history?
Christa: I love being part of the vast network of quilters that enjoy creating and want to continue to pass down that legacy of quilting to future generations. One of my favorite stories to share is that the very first quilting book I ever bought (back in 1993) was written by Marianne Fons (and Liz Porter). It launched my obsession with quilting and my entry into the quilting industry. Twenty years later in 2013, my quilting career went national when her daughter, Mary Fons published my design on the cover of her magazine. I love it when things come full circle like that!
Thank you, Christa! You are such an inspiration, and we look forward to the launch of your new Craftsy class and your new fabric line! So many exciting things coming soon! To learn more about Christa, visit her website Christa Quilts or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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SarahZ
March 2, 2018 at 7:14 amVery good interview! Many of the seemingly simple “requirements” Christa mentions, ie clean space, clear mind, less screen, more machine, ALL resonate with me! Thanks again for this series!
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
March 2, 2018 at 4:36 pmThanks for being a loyal reader, Sarah! I’m so glad the series is resonating with you and that you find something each week to pull from the interviews!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
March 2, 2018 at 10:03 am“Just the act of writing it down clears it out of my head and allows me to focus on what I’m doing in the present. I’ve realized I can’t really be productive until my physical space is clean and my mind is clear.” YES! I can definitely relate to this as well, Christa.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
March 2, 2018 at 4:35 pmI, too, can’t work in a messy space. I sometimes find it amusing because so many books stereotype “creative types” as people that thrive in chaos and disorganization, and I can’t even function in that environment! I look at a clean room and a clear mind as a fresh start for my creative process.
Jo Vandermey
March 2, 2018 at 10:29 amI met Christa in Houston last fall…one of the many I sure she talked to during that time… She was gracious, enthusiastic and very down to earth. Her book from C&T Quilt and Cut with Precuts is very user friendly. I am just finishing a top from the Squiggles Pattern.
I need to clean my head by writing it down too! and clean my work space so I can move on.
Stepping away from the computer is also good. It is a Find it Finish year for me!
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
March 2, 2018 at 4:27 pmI agree with everything you’ve said, Jo! Christa is all of the things you’ve mentioned, and I’ll add, extremely professional and a pleasure to work with! Best of luck to you in your Find It Finish year! Cheers to keeping our spaces and minds clean so we can accomplish more!
Heather Black
March 2, 2018 at 7:41 pmChrista is so amazing. She was one of the first quilters to reach out to me online and I’m so excited to be working with her on a pattern for her next fabric line. She an amazing person in so many ways and I’m so honored to call her my friend!
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
March 2, 2018 at 8:20 pmI can only imagine the amazingness that will come of this collaboration, Heather! The two of you together with your amazing talents are unstoppable!