Designer Tidbits: Jo Morton

Blue lovers, we have another collection for you! Jo Morton of Andover Fabrics designed and curated a perfect collection of blues in varying prints. Grab up some fabric in your favorite color and get inspired by Blue Variety!

Q: Where did you find your original inspiration for Blue Variety?
A: My inspiration was a trip to see the Infinite Variety Quilt Exhibit in NYC in March 2011 - the red and white quilt exhibit. I designed a small group of fabrics so we all could make red/cream quilts. It was a big success. So why not do a Blue Variety follow-up! I used the same bird toile re-colored in blue and added different companions for interest.

Q: What projects do you want to see with Blue Variety?
A: I have a new book out titled 'For All Seasons.' It features some quilts made with the Red Variety line and I can see these same quilts made using the new Blue Variety line. I think adding reds, cheddars, or browns to the blues will make a beautiful quilt. I think that quilters who love blue will love this group.

Q: Tell me about your sewing machines. What kinds do you have and how many?
A: I own 5 Pfaff machines. I started with one due to the 'even feed' or built in walking foot feature, which greatly improved my machine piecing. When we bought the small house (832 sq ft) across the alley for my sewing studio about 8 years ago, I was able to hire some friends to help me get my projects made much faster than me sewing alone. That meant I had to buy another sewing machine and then another. Now, I own 5 Pfaffs. Four of them are set up for our sewing sessions and one is in the closet as a backup for when it is time to rotate the machines for annual service.

I machine quilt with my checkbook. I would rather pay someone for their skills than learn to Machine Quilt. However I do love to hand quilt small quilt projects.

Q: From what aspect of your life do you draw creativity?
A: I love antique quilts, so I have collected a lot of books with pictures of antique quilts. I love to be inspired by an antique quilt's color, the block used, or the setting, or perhaps quirks in the quilt.

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your fabric designs?
A: Since my fabrics are based on 19th century pieces of fabric - searching through my collection of antique quilt blocks, pieces of fabric, quilt tops and quilts. These have all been collected for reference for designing fabric lines.

Q: What is your favorite print in the collection?
A: Obviously there is more than one, but the Blue Variety Cream on Blue Paisley Flourish is my favorite today. Tomorrow it could be another piece. :-)

Q: What is the most challenging part of the design process?
A: Color is always a challenge.

Q: What is your favorite part of the fabric industry?
A: Getting to sew with my fabric lines! It is always such a thrill to create with something I designed!

We had the pleasure of chatting with Jo at Fall Quilt Market 2012! Get a quick look at our interview to learn a bit more about her!