Aussie Aviatrix Quilt-a-Long Wrap Up & Introducing Emma Jean Jansen

Hi everyone,

Today’s the day!  I can’t wait to see all your beautiful quilts.  I’ve seen some sneak peeks of some of the blog-hop ladies’ quilts and they are really stunning.  Each one is different which is one of the things I love about a group of quilters all working with the one pattern.

You will remember that Emma Jean Jansen will be judging the quilts in the link-up.  She’s donated some patterns as a prize, so I thought it would be great to get to know her a bit better.

1. Tell us a bit about you?

After finishing Year 12, I completed one year of visual arts at Ballarat University College and then I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design at RMIT in Melbourne. I then went on to work in a number of jobs including as a Design Assistant at Warwick Fabrics.  I also worked at Tennyson Graphics separating designs for printing – mainly Sheridan sheets. Then I went on to a job at Greenwich Design Group as a CAD and hand painter in textile design.  Following this I started freelancing as a textile designer for a number of years, designing fabrics for children’s wear, ladies’ wear and bed linen.

I then opened Ballarat Patchwork with my Mother and ran that for nearly 11 years. The shop closed at the end of September 2013 and since then I have been concentrating on my design work, creating new quilt designs from my ranges Terra Australis and The Linen Cupboard, selling my original patterns designs from my website and designing the next range of patchwork fabric.

2. When did you start sewing/quilting?

I started sewing when I was a young girl, making felt mice, stitching cross-stitch and helping my mum with her patchwork quilts. I was lucky to have a mother who was always sewing, not just quilts but lots of our clothes too! I made my first patchwork cushion cover at the age of nine and from that young age I was hooked!

3. How long have you been designing patterns?

I started designing quilts not long after opening Ballarat Patchwork. My customers really liked the quilts I was making and one thing lead to another. Coming up with the new ideas has never been a problem, just finding the time to make them!

4. How long have you been designing fabric?

As I said, before I studied textile design at RMIT so I have been designing fabrics for nearly 20 years. I designed a couple of patchwork ranges for a number of companies before getting to design with Ella Blue. Terra Australis was released in November 2013 and I have been designing a new range every six months since.

5. What do you love about designing; where do you draw inspiration from?

I always try to design a range that is missing from the market. The Terra Australis ranges were designed because after owning a patchwork shop for over 10 years, I noticed a definite whole in the market. There were no contemporary ranges around using iconic Australian images. I tried to use bright fresh colours to keep the range modern so hopefully it would appeal to all quilters. I also liked the idea of the range not being too obviously Australian, so people could slip pieces into quilts they were working on.

The Linen Cupboard came from my love of vintage sheets from the 60s and 70s and it was a pleasure to design fabrics that were true to the era.  Again I used bright fresh colours because I love working with them.

6. What project are you currently working on?

I have just finished working on my new range of fabrics, due to be released in May this year. I am currently waiting for strike offs of the fabrics so I can approve and we can go to print. Once this happens I will get some sampling fabric to make quilts to help promote the range. I have a few ideas already and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

7. What’s next for you – where do you see yourself in two/five/ten years’ time (whichever you feel like answering)?

I have no idea!! I might still be designing quilts and fabrics but who knows, just taking it one day at a time.

8. Where can we find you? (FB, Instagram etc)

Blog | Online Store | Facebook| Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

So, now it’s time to show you the photo of my finished quilt.  This is one of the biggest quilts I have made and Emma’s Terra Australis 2 fabrics, coupled with Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures print were a perfect match.  I still love this quilt, even after the grief it gave me!

And now, the linky is open!  thank so very much to the lovely ladies who have donated prizes.  As I mentioned above, Emma Jean Jansen will be judging the quilts and donating some patterns. Alison from The Cotton Factory will be donating a fabric pack as well.  You’ll remember I interviewed her back in October.  Please have a look at Emma and Alison’s store and Support Local.  Elizabeth Hartman has also donated three patterns.

The linkup will be open until Midday Canberra time (AEDT) next Monday 22 February 2015.

I can’t wait to see your beautiful quilts.  I hope you’ve had a ball making them.

Happy quilting!

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