Quiltfest: Carole Lyles Shaw

In recent posts, we’ve mentioned that Generation Q is very pleased to be an official media sponsor of Quiltfest Oasis and Pacific International Quilt Fest. (Read more about that here.) These two shows are expanding opportunity for and focus on modern quilting, including in education. In this and another post, we will be introducing you to Carole Lyles Shaw and Ashley Nickles, who are sharing their knowledge and take on modern quilt aesthetics at PIQF.  

First, we’re meeting up with Carole Lyles Shaw. Check out her PIQF classes here.

How long have you been quilting?
Carole: “I started quilting in 1990 when I decided to make quilts for my nieces and nephews.  I bought an inexpensive machine at Sears, gathered books from the library and eventually found a wonderful guild in Baltimore where I actually learned to sew!  Although I loved making Log Cabin quilts, most of the traditional patterns were too boring for me.  So I started making up my own ideas for the quilts from the very beginning.”

An example of Carole’s Fractured Disappearing Nine Patch technique.

What classes are you teaching?
“I’m teaching Fractured Disappearing Nine Patch, one of my favorite techniques.  It combines some planning with easy ways to improvise.  The modern quilt design principles we’ll practice are asymmetry, neutral space, alternate grid layout and improvisation – cutting without measuring! First, everyone makes five Nine Patch blocks. Then, I’ll provide instructions for improvisational cutting and piecing techniques to completely ‘fracture’ each of the blocks. It’s quite a bit of fun to see how different each finished block will look!

“My second class is Patriotic Modern Rail Fence.  The quilters will learn how to combine a mix of patriotic themed fabrics and coordinating solids to achieve that modern look. The quilt is made with pieced rail fence blocks and large solid areas. I’ll show you how to design a unique modern layout by improvising with pieced rail fence blocks, using two solid fabrics for negative space. It’s tradition made modern!”

An example of Carole’s  Patriotic Modern Rail Fence technique

How do readers link up with you on social media:

“Instagram is my favorite site  I’m  @Carole_lylesshaw.  My website is www.CaroleLylesShaw.com“

Now for a little nonsense. Chocolate: dark or milk?
“Well….mainly I eat the very best quality dark chocolate that I can afford.  I may mix a few pieces of really good-quality milk chocolate in for a bit of variety.”

Favorite beverage while quilting:
“NONE!  I don’t like keeping liquids around my fabrics and my machines.  When I’m all done, I’ll finish my evening with a nice glass of a dark red wine.

More of Carole’s work.

Top three favorite quilt blocks?
“I like taking Nine Patch and Four Patch blocks and making changes to them. Half Square Triangle blocks are very versatile.  Someday, I’ll make a modern version of Storm at Sea….paper-pieced of course! But mostly, I’m improvising, improvising, improvising.”

Hand or machine quilting?
“BOTH.  95% of the quilting is by machine.  On my Janome 8900, I use my walking foot and create eccentric quilting lines, free form shapes and curves.  If I’m making a wall quilt (like an art quilt or mini quilt), I often add hand stitching with size 5 or size 8 Perle cotton threads, using big stitches almost like a sashiko stitch.  I like the contrast of the size and color between the hand and machine stitching.”

Anything else you’d like to add?
“I love the modern quilt world—I discovered the movement almost by accident.  I love the simple principles that guide us, and the freedom to experiment and have fun!  What inspires me:  Modern artists like Sonia Delaunay, Sam Gilliam and Alma Thomas have long inspired my color and design aesthetic.”

What was your first quilt? Do you still have it? 
“I don’t remember the very first one. For the young nieces and nephews,  I remember buying printed fabric at JoAnn’s that you use to cut out and make stuffed animals, like dinosaurs.  I cut out the pattern and the printed instructions.  I appliqued the pattern pieces down on plain muslin for the center and used the remaining fabric cut into large squares to frame the center.  Sorry—no photos of these early quilts.  They were gifts over 20 years ago and long lost.”

Thanks, Carole!

To learn more about classes at the upcoming PIQF XXIV, follow this link.

Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.