DIYer of the Week: Katharina Litchman
Name: Katharina Litchman
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Fiber artist
Craft: Quilting
Web sites: www.ArtQuiltsbyMietzi.com,
Katharina's online store via Buy Outside the Box
How did you get into making quilts?
While I was a commercial banker, a long, long time ago, a friend brought me a queen-size quilt she made at a class. Instantly, I fell in love with what effects one could create of the colors and patterns of fabric. I knew how to sew since I was a little girl (also a long time ago), I just went off and made one of my own. I started with traditional styles and patterns, and made so many large quilts that everyone in my family had one, and all the beds were covered. But there were still the walls, and I began to create small, decorative pieces.
Where do you find inspiration?
My quilts of tall buildings are inspired by the towering structures in Manhattan. Traditional Amish patterns are beautiful and lend themselves well to abstraction and reinventing. I've drawn inspiration from the modern and abstract art of Mondrian, Picasso, Klee, Kandinksky, and many more. And our cats are always assuming inspirational postures.
What's your best tip?
Think of art quilting like any art form, say painting, and the fabric becomes your palette. If you are already a traditional quilter, or if you've never quilted before (so long as you know how to sew), just draw a sketch of a scene or an idea, and think through how to translate it into fabric. Working in freeform and abstract does call upon some different techniques from traditional styles, which you can learn in classes taught around the country. I am on the faculty of Sugar Maples in Maplecrest, New York (a summer program) and will teach AArt Quilting for Beginners on October 26-28 at the Frost Valley YMCA, in Claryville, New York.
What craft would you like to learn/try next?
Next? When would I ever find the time?
Where do you get your supplies?
Fabrics come from countless sources, from the Garment District in Manhattan to the Intenet. Don't forget your local quilt shop, of course. The trade shows that accompany all the major quilt shows attract vendors from around the country and even overseas offering very interesting fabrics come from Australia, France and Africa. Or, I buy some quality white cotton fabric and dye it myself!
What's your biggest quilting challenge?
Size is a challenge. Large quilts are more difficult to manipulate under the home sewing machine. Coming up with new ideas, and transforming them into a tangible reality, is always a challenge.
Any advice for beginner quilters?
Take a class. They are fun and instructive, and you make new friends and you learn something from everyone's techniques.
Why do you love quilting?
I can express my passion for color and geometric shapes. Clean, defined lines appeal to my sense of discipline and order. Learning, inventing and mastering new techniques present endless possibilities and challenges.
To learn more about Katharina Litchman and her vibrant quilts, check out her Web site: www.ArtQuiltsbyMietzi.com and Katharina's online store via Buy Outside the Box.
Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
