Artist Spotlight: Ann Kreager

“I am piecing natural dyed fabrics into log cabin blocks…. This block represents fabric dyed from Maine, Connecticut, New York and Colorado. My goal is to have this quilt pieced and hand quilt(ed) by the end of 2019. It will have so many great memories stitched into it….” - Ann Kreager

Last June, Ann and I met at Squam Art Workshops. Since then, we’ve kept in touch and I’ve enjoyed seeing this Colorado artist’s gift for all things sewn and knitted on her Instagram feed. What strikes me about Ann’s work is not only her attention to detail, but how she manages to infuse each and every thing she makes with meaning.

Ann made a block a day!

The special quilt featured here is no exception. Ann’s painterly mix of cheerful colors harmonize beautifully, and she has managed to create a quilt that is simultaneously modern and timeless. Ann finished her quilt with big stitch quilting in the ditch. See the photo below for a close up look.

How incredibly satisfying and heart warming it must feel to have created a quilt exclusively using hand dyed fabrics from dyers you know, including your own. As one of the dyers represented in the quilt, I feel Ann has stitched together not only meaningful pieces of fabric, but a powerful sense of community.

Ann inspires me, and I think anyone sleeping under this quilt is guaranteed sweet dreams!

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Detail of Ann’s big stitch hand quilting.

“I love all the sweet friends I have made on this IG community. I am thankful for all the inspiration and support I have received from others. ”

— Ann Kreager

Ann finished her incredibly beautiful, meaningful quilt well before the end of the year!

I’m sending out a big thank you to Ann Kreager for allowing me to use her photos, and to share a peek into her quilting world with all of you. You can follow her on Instagram @hottamale1985.

If you’ve tried natural dyeing, like Ann has, you’ll have a very good idea about the amount of work and time that go into naturally dying fabric. When you share what you’re making with my fabrics, you give me such a sense of satisfaction about my dye work, and it’s what keeps me coming back season after season offering you my very best naturally dyed fabrics. “Artist Spotlight” is one way that I can celebrate YOU, and it will increasingly feature you and what you make using my naturally dyed fabrics, so be sure to share! #tierneybarden

As always, I love hearing from you in the comments below or @tierneybarden.

Artist Spotlight: Pam Delgado

Spur of the moment, Pam used my sateen charms to build onto some of her pretty log cabin blocks.

Recently, two talented women have posted their quilts-in-progress on Instagram, and they’re blowing my mind! Eager to share both of their beautiful stories with you, this week we’ll look over Pam Delgado’s shoulder as she explains the process of how this quilt came to be and her unique way of going about making all of her quilts.

I’ll keep next week’s quilt maker a surprise! Coincidentally, they’re both making log cabin quilts.

Pam Delgado’s quilts are all about pattern, play and loads of irresistible texture! Her log cabin quilt featured here makes me want to drop all of my current projects and start building log cabin blocks with all the scraps! It’s the kind of quilt I always dream of making but never quite get around to.

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“I love it when I play and things happen on their own and I don’t know how it will end up!”

- Pam Delgado

Look at all of those delicious crinkles that could only come from Pam’s hand quilting!

Pam graciously gave permission to share her Instagram story here:

Detail of Pam’s log cabin quilt in progress.

“This quilt began as the center portion only. I wanted a small project to use some scraps I liked and a challenge to make the whole thing with hand stitching only. The piece took on a life of its own, and I knew I wanted to keep going. Next I added the larger log cabin block border, which is quite detailed. Finally, I added the solid strip and the half square triangles using hand dyed cotton sateen by Tierney Barden.

My parameters included using only fabrics I already had, no machine stitching and no batting. The blocks are stitched to a scrap foundation of muslin or linen and the backing is from a cotton sateen duvet cover. When it came time to adding the binding, I was really tempted to use the machine; I didn’t and I’m glad!….

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Detail of Pam’s border that mixes prints with my naturally dyed solids. Inspired by Pam’s tenacity, I’d like to try hand sewing a binding to a small quilt.

This piece represents the way I see my life looking back. Lots of bits and pieces that when added together, make up a life without regrets. There are difficult parts, but mostly parts of beauty and joy. I never start a project knowing the outcome. I begin with an idea, and the piece always guides me to the end; I’m usually surprised with the direction it takes; I always learn something about the process and about myself.”

I wish I could pop by Pam’s house for a cup of tea and just watch her stitch in the sunshine! Thank you, Pam, for allowing me to share your story.

You can follow her feed: @pamdelgado8473

Detail of Pam’s log cabin quilt with her gorgeous hand quilting.

I’m truly touched every time I see something you’ve made using my naturally dyed fabrics. It’s a rewarding feeling, and honestly is what keeps the cycle going, so please tag your photos showing even a scrap of one of my fabrics #tierneybarden. I promise my heart will melt a little.

Say hello: @tierneybarden