The pattern I love most

By Annemart Berendse

For February Caron asked us: what pattern do you love most? Well actually, I have to confess, I made only one pattern, a Broken Star. And I made the template and calculated all measurements myself. I never used a kit. Nor did I recreate, other than in class, a quilt made by somebody else. I can't. I just can't. I see the designs of Di Ford and all, and it does not inspire me, although I like the quilts.

To me quilting (and shoe decorating, but that's another story) is about being creative and original. And that means I try to make my own thing. So I make my own Broken Star template, and think of the colors I would like to use and search in every quilt shop until the right colors are there. Or I think of a half square triangle quilt and experiment with color. Or I get a gift like a jelly roll, take it all apart and use it with other fabric. I only once made a quick quilt from one jelly roll. And I wasn't happy about it.

So what pattern I love most? A pattern that gives me the opportunity to search for every color on the color wheel. A pattern that is challenging, brings me out of my comfort zone, without creating panic in my mind. Applique, trapunto, cording, stippling, all by hand.

I know what my favorite pattern is. It is my next quilt. What it will be? Don't know. But something with a lot of color, applique, trapunto...

Have fun quilting!
Annemart