Kirsty Cleverly is a quilter-turned-pattern-designe
How would you describe your quilting style/aesthetic?
Kirsty: I’d say for the most part I’m a modern quilter, but I do still have designs with a traditional feel. I try not to think too much about what my style is, I prefer to just create what makes me happy. I definitely go through phases though. Sometimes all I can think about are asymmetrical, ombre style quilts, then in a few months I become fascinated with traditional star blocks. I can’t really explain it – I’m happy to just go with the flow!
Chromance Quilt Top. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
How would you describe the creative environment in your home as a child?
Kirsty: I remember many of my family members enjoying creative hobbies. My grandmother and aunt were always knitting and my grandfather was a carpenter who enjoyed parquetry and painting in his retirement. My mum made several quilts and also did a lot of garment sewing.
As a child I loved crafts. I went through phases with cross stitch, knitting, french knitting (remember the Knitting Nancy doll?), chocolate making, paper quilling and polymer clay work. I was so heavily into doily/placemat making at one stage that my grandfather custom-made special weaving frames for me. I was a doily factory – every person in my extended family was gifted about 20 of those things!
Do you consider yourself a “quilter”, an artist, or some combination of both?
Kirsty: I feel more a quilter. Not that I don’t think of quilters as artists – quilts are incredible works of art. I guess I consider myself a quilter because I’m very interested in the process of creating my quilts and enjoy that more than revisiting my completed works. I rarely take time to admire a finished quilt, my thoughts are usually already three steps into creating the next one (which I realise is a bit sad now I’ve written that out!).
Blueberry Park Baby Quilt. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
How would you define “making with intention”?
Kirsty: I define it quite broadly. I think you can create a quilt to make a statement or spark a conversation. I think you can make a quilt to please a friend or custom-match your curtains. You can create a quilt to practice a new technique or to give yourself a project to distract from something else going on in your life. To me, making with intention means you have a reason, a “why” behind your work. Something to keep you moving along with the project when you hit the rough spots (and I always hit a rough spot – I think that’s just the way making works with me!).
Diamonds in the Deep. Pattern and Image by Kirsty Cleverly.
Do you think that having a craft makes us more compassionate? If so, then how?
Kirsty: I think it definitely makes you more compassionate. It’s nerve wracking to put your creations out where others will see and pass comment on them, whether it be in a quilt show, on line or even on your living room couch. It’s also humbling to be a beginner at something and have to work to get your skills to a level you deem acceptable. I think this makes crafters more compassionate towards others and any difficulties (seen or unseen) they may be facing.
Rectangle Log Cabin Quilt. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
How does creating feed your soul/spiritual purpose?
Kirsty: Creating is a calming influence in my life. It helps me unwind after work and I enjoy making something tangible with my hands after spending the day at a desk with a screen. As well as being a good stress reliever, it can also be quite energising. I come up with tons of ideas (for quilts and for other areas of my life) while I’m sewing.
Are there any rituals that you perform to prepare/ground yourself in your work?
Kirsty: Not really – I just jump in! I don’t have as much time to design and sew as I would like, so whenever I find a spare 20 mins I try to make it count. I find if I need to give myself a lot of “warming up” time it can be a sign that the project I’m working on is no longer interesting me. I then need to go back to my intentions for that project and see if they’ve changed.
Grit. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
What is the support system you have in place for creating your work?
Kirsty: I’m lucky that my family understand how much I enjoy sewing. The adage “happy wife, happy life” is an oldie but a goodie. I think as a family we try to achieve balance and make sure that every member gets to pursue the activities they want to pursue. It doesn’t always happen, but we try.
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?
Kirsty: Whenever I start to feel envy for others’ abilities creeping in, that’s when I know I’m doing too much consuming and not enough creating. It’s time to step away from the posts and news feeds and just get to work. When I’m really engaged and busy with my own projects I find I have less time to compare myself against others.
Carkai Plus Quilt. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
What was the most challenging thing you ever made?
Kirsty: I made a queen sized quilt with an EPP medallion. I had a clear plan for the medallion which looked far too bare when it was finally sewn to the low-volume backing. I added more things here and there over a year, but it never lived up to what I had pictured in my mind. I was upset with myself for having “wasted” the fabric making something I didn’t love. Eventually I had to accept that it was as good as it was going to get without major rework and to accept that maybe the beauty in the project was what it had taught me along the way. I learnt that overthinking things rarely helps me, time outs are not only good but sometimes necessary, and fabric is not wasted as long as you can find a use for the final product (we do use the quilt). My mindset has come a long way since that quilt and if something similar happened today, I’d get over it a lot quicker!
Pillow Cushion (Detail). Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
What does it mean to you to work in a traditionally domestic medium that historically has been regarded as predominately female (aka “women’s work”)?
Kirsty: Isn’t it sad how the phrase “women’s work” has been commandeered to mean something is lesser, like “you throw like a girl”? Women’s work is done patiently, consistently and unrelentingly. It’s the backbone of our society. I love the history of quilting and I’m very grateful for all those persistent, clever ladies who came before us and taught us so many useful, creative techniques.
Cathedral Windows. Image Courtesy of Kirsty Cleverly.
How do you see your current work in the context of quilting history?
Kirsty: I’m grateful to have found a craft that brings me a lot of joy and the chance to exercise some creativity. It makes me happy to help others enjoy quilting, too, which is why I blog and create tutorials. If I can help introduce someone else to the craft and contribute to the skills being passed on, I think I’ve done my bit for quilting history.
Thank you, Kirsty! Your patterns are beautiful and so well-written. They make sewing a pleasure! To purchase Kirsty’s patterns, visit her website Bonjour Quilts. To be on top of all of Kirsty’s pattern and tutorial releases and to receive discounts on patterns, sign up for her newsletter. You can also find Kirsty on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
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Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
April 6, 2018 at 1:03 am“Whenever I start to feel envy for others’ abilities creeping in, that’s when I know I’m doing too much consuming and not enough creating,” resonated very much with me.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
April 6, 2018 at 9:55 amAbsolutely, Yvonne. For me, too. Although, I find it is often harder said than done! Especially if I’m feeling tired or down. I tend to use the consuming of other’s work as a way to feel connected to the craft, but many times it has the opposite effect. It reminds me that I am NOT creating, makes me jealous of others who are getting things made, and leaves me feeling less-than.
Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine
April 6, 2018 at 8:33 amI love how Kirsty describes making with intention as a ‘why’ that may be different for different projects, that really makes sense to me. I’m also seeing a wonderful theme of family support for creating.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
April 6, 2018 at 9:50 amI agree, Judy! It seems that a family support systems comes up again and again as a way to facilitate finding time to sew and create. I know that I am grateful for my own family’s support in my endeavors to create and to share my process with others!
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
April 6, 2018 at 9:22 amKirsty’s work really appeals to me. I’m a long-time fan, but I don’t remember seeing Chromance before and I love it!
I most appreciate Kirsty’s story about the EEP project. The lessons she learned are ones I’ll keep in my back pocket for when I need them!
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
April 6, 2018 at 9:47 amMichelle, I, too, have been a long time fan of Kirsty’s work! Her patterns were some of the very first ones I used as I was learning to sew and they taught me so much! So happy that you found a tip to take away from the interview! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Bernie
April 6, 2018 at 10:25 amLast fall I made Kirsty’s When You Wish pattern for a baby quilt gift. The family just LOVED it and the bold colors (I made it very much like Kirsty’s) were perfect for them. Recently I saw on Kirsty’s newsletter that she had a larger version of the patter available and I grabbed it. I want to make it for the guest room bed.
Kirsty – I really love your work and always look forward to your newsletter. I feel you are so relatable and I enjoy reading your posts. As for the interview today, this is my favorite part:
“Isn’t it sad how the phrase “women’s work” has been commandeered to mean something is lesser, like “you throw like a girl”? Women’s work is done patiently, consistently and unrelentingly. It’s the backbone of our society. I love the history of quilting and I’m very grateful for all those persistent, clever ladies who came before us and taught us so many useful, creative techniques.”
Your description of ‘women’t work’ is so meaningful.’ Thank you for that perspective.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
April 6, 2018 at 10:29 amBernie, I absolutely adored Kirsty’s answer to that question as well. Kirsty is so relatable and easy to talk to, and I think that shines through in her pattern writing, her newsletter, and her interview responses. She is able to take whatever the subject may be, and boil it down to its essence in a meaningful way that is easy to comprehend. Thanks for leaving a comment!