Designer Tidbits: Kansas Troubles Quilters


The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Lynne of Kansas Troubles Quilters to the Jolly Jabber. Lynne’s latest fabric collection is Cattails & Clover from Moda Fabrics.





Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Cattails & Clover collection?
A: Each year I watch the cattails on the north end of our pond (the grandkids call it "the swamp") as they change from green spiky leaves in early summer, to brown fuzzy cattail heads poking up in July to fluffy bursting cotton floating all over the yard in late summer. We cut bundles of them for "bouquets" in an old butter churn and blow on them like dandelions when they burst. I've even collected the fluff to stuff pincushions!

Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: Something mellow and soulful from Sarah McLachlan.

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite?
A: I've used the little brown viney print on a tan background the most. It works for just about any project.




Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A: Cattail Creek. Just five-one yd. cuts of fabric make the center of the quilt using 10" squares and 5" squares cut with our KT-1/4 circle template. Double rows of bias strips embellish the blocks. Raw edge applique mimics curved piecing with lots of character and no headaches.




Q: What is your favorite part of working in the fabric industry?
A: The women. There are so many talented, confident women with good hearts and a sharing spirit. I've made several really good friends through quilting/designing.

Q: Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A: Sandhill Plums premiered at Fall Quilt Market in Houston.




Q: What is your absolute favorite thing in your house?
A: Right now I've been searching for a series of birds that are embellished with found objects - wings from old metal tape measures, standing on old crochet balls, gears or a watering can. There are dozens of different ones but I haven't seen them very often. I pick one up when I can to remember my trips. The last one was found in LaConnor, WA in a lovely little art gallery.

Q: Which project stands out in your memory as your all-time favorite?
A: I'm very attached to KT Favorites-10 Years & Counting. It's a BOM that celebrates KT's first ten years with Moda and features all 33 fabric lines from those years. It was so fun to pull out some of my old favorites and create a fabric memory.




Q: Where do you do your best thinking? Can we see a photo of your studio?
A: I sketch and daydream on my screened-in front porch. In fact, I enjoy spending time out there so much we're enclosing it with windows to make it a 3-season room. No pictures today - all the furniture is piled on one end and there's a big hole in the wall covered with black plastic!

Q: What is your favorite snack food? Can we see a photo of your fridge or pantry?
A: Twizzlers, always, but right now I'm enjoying Cheddar flavor almond crackers with a bottle of Cranergy as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Q: What is your one guilty pleasure in life?
A: Sitting on the dock savoring a Dark Chocolate Snickers while doing nothing – without guilt.


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