I am SO excited to present you guys with this interview today. Barbara Walters I am not, but I asked some things I was curious about that hopefully you will be curious about too. At the bottom of the post, I've compiled a list of previous interviews for those of you who would like to know even more.
Q. What’s the story behind the name “American Jane”?
A.When I was planing to go to my first quilt market with my first 17 patterns, I was looking for a name but was coming up empty. Every idea I had was already a web site. So when I was teaching a class I told my students my dilemma, and one student said "let me think about this, I used to do some work for the Muppets". This student had come in a wheelchair with an assistant . I was working at the store after the class and a good fifteen minutes later she came back in the store and said" I think I have a name for you, a friend of mine just named her baby girl America Jane." At the time I wasn't even sure what my look was, but I loved Dick and Jane, Mary Janes, plain Jane, G I Jane , and Jane Doe, so why not American Jane. And that called for a flag!
Q. What is your process for creating a new quilt pattern?
A. First of all I have to have the fabric! Then I just start making blocks, and from there it goes to what ifs. I always think I'm going to write directions as I go, but I usually get quite excited and before I know it the quilt is finished!
Q. What is your favorite fabric line or print you’ve designed?
A. I think it has to be the first one Avignon. But I just organized all my fabrics and I love them all!
Q. I’ve noticed some of your lines seem to be inspired by vintage childhood themes whereas some have a French flair. Is this planned or just what you're feeling at the moment?
A. The colors are the same and I have always been more drawn to the color of the fabric than the pattern so I often put a little French flavor into every quilt.
Q. What's your favorite color? Is there a color you just do not like?
A.Red, yellow, orange, blue, and green. You'll notice I did not say purple. I have used purple but not often. (Mary's note: I totally knew she was in the no-purple club with me...)
Q. Can you tell us about your favorite quilt?
A. I have have about 10 favorites so far. I show some of these at the end of my trunk show.Q. Do you have any words of advice for those aspiring to a career in the quilting industry?
A. Dream big! When I started working in a quilt store , as I checked in new fabric , or put bolts away I thought I want my name on the selvage! Now I'm making a Big ball of all the selvage I trim off from my fabrics!
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| This quilt and others are available for sale at Sandy Klop's website, www.19quilts.com ! |
Q. If you had to pick any career that didn’t involve quilting & fabric, what would it be?
A. Redoing houses maybe , I love remodeling , remaking as long as I have a big team to do what I say and do it quickly!Below are some links to more fun interviews and articles for those of you who want to learn more about the lady behind some of our favorite fabrics!
American Jane Patterns
