Design Challenges

Hi Everybody,

After the post I wrote yesterday I decided it would be fun to maybe share some of the designs that I created from “Design Calls” or challenges.

I would also love it if you would leave a comment with a Design Call or Challenge. If I design something using one of your ideas I will give you a free pattern of your choice. :)

I seem to really thrive with those types of challenges. I can’t share all of them obviously because they are waiting to be published or enroute. But I will share a few that I have already released.

So one of my favorites is “You are Here:

My favorite quilts tell a story.

You are here was designed because one of the magazine companies put out a design call I think the theme was something personal like “Journey” or something along those lines.

I knew this would not be accepted because there are far to many pages. But I really love this design and how it tells my story. I have been up and down, over and under and I have gone the wrong way several times. But all of that has lead me to right here…right now.  I always say that my life right now is a miracle and I am glad to be where I am.

So a one word design call. Journey, travel, Taking a trip, maps….I think that is what the design call was. Immediately, I thought of that map in the mall that says: You are here and this design came to me.  You would think that I might think of a literal map of the country or taking a vacation. But No. LOL. That would be too easy for me.

Another design call was blue and white quilts. A design call based on color.

It was to be a winter issue. I submitted 3-4 designs. But the one that was accepted is Winter Mountains:

I was so pleased with this design I actually made this a series. This one was published in the magazine. But I also published Summer Mountains:

And I am in the process of making Spring Mountains and Autumn Mountains. Here are the mock ups. The patterns are being tested right now and I have to finish my samples before I publish the patterns:

So that one design call inspired a whole series of quilts. I kind of love that.

I actually did use the other designs that were not accepted into some other design calls and they were accepted for different companies. ( not magazines)

Sometimes the design calls are technique based as well. One of the calls was show us ways to use 60 degree triangles.

So I came up with a few designs but the one accepted was Prints A Plenty:

Another design call was using crazy blocks and English Paper Piecing. I combined the 2 and submitted the pillow:

This has a ton of techniques. Such a fun pillow.

I wish I could share some of the other ones….because there are some really good ones that are going to be published within the next few months. I will share their stories as they unfold.

Send your “design calls” I will see what inspires a design and I will share my ideas.

Thanks!

Charisma