Interview with Kim Brackett, Scrap Basket Sensations Author

 
This quilt is called "Sparkler" and is from Kim Brackett's new book Scrap Basket Sensations.  I have it on my To Do list, along with just about every other pattern in her book!

As you know, this week is the Scrap Basket Sensations Blog Tour, with these blogs remaining to post:

Karen at Nana Girl Quilts - February 17th
Sue at Quilt Times - February 18th
Carol at Brown Quilts - February 19th

Be sure to visit the blogs listed above and leave a comment for a chance to win this great publication from Martingale & Co.

To wrap up my participation in the Blog Tour, I thought it would be fun to ask Kim some questions about her quilting and writing experience.  I hope you enjoy my "interview" with her.  She makes getting a book published sound as easy as making the quilts in her book!  Here goes:

Kim, I'm so excited for you! To have a second amazing book published by Martingale must be a thrill of a lifetime. I know you have been quilting since the late 80's, as many of us have. Tell me what led up to you to thinking you could make 18 quilts and have them published in your first book Scrap Basket Surprises? 
 
Thank you so much, Nicole!  The publication of Scrap-Basket Surprises was almost accidental!  I had designed dozens of quilts to use up the containers of 2 1/2" strips I had accumulated.  Martingale & Company had a link on its website that said, "Submit a book proposal."  I clicked the link, and within a few hours, I received a proposal package.  I submitted the required information, and a few weeks later, I received a call from the Acquisitions Editor at Martingale & Company who told me they were interested in publishing my book! 
 
I fondly recall working on sewing projects with my mother and grandmother, which instilled a life long fascination with sewing and fabric in me. Who in your life influenced you to love sewing and quilting in particular? 
 
My mom taught me to sew when I was eight or nine years old, and Santa brought me a "real" sewing machine when I was ten.  We didn't have quilters in our family, but my mom had been given some old quilts that we used for blankets, and I loved the feel of them even though they weren't the most attractive quilts.  Many years later, I saw a collection of antique quilts that I fell in love with, and decided to try making my own. 

The instructions in your books are remarkably clear and well illustrated. What goes into that level of clarity and accuracy? 
 
Martingale & Company provides its authors with guidelines to ensure the instructions and illustrations are accurate and easy to understand.  After the manuscript is submitted, a Technical Editor is tasked with checking each tiny detail of the pattern instructions (such as piece counts, measurements, etc.), and making sure the text "flows" well. 
 
How did your love affair with 2 1/2" strips develop? Did you start out making scrappy quilts, or did something influence you to go in that direction? 
 
I've always loved scrap quilts, and enjoy using lots of different fabrics.  I chose 2 1/2" strips when I decided to cut all of my scraps because there are so many design possibilities. 

I know that for your second book, Scrap-Basket Sensations, you enlisted the help of some quilting friends to get the quilts made. Were you nervous about relinquishing total control of the finished quilts? Did you provide the fabrics to them to make the quilts, or were they given carte blanche to come up with their own fabric choices? 
 
When I decided which quilts to include in the book, I shared the drawings with Karen, Mary, and Darlene.  They chose the designs they wanted to make, then we discussed fabric choices.  I wanted them to like the quilts they made because they own the quilts now.  I provided fabrics for most of the quilts, but Darlene made Tool Shed from her scraps, and Karen made Flowers for Nana Girl mostly from her stash.

You mentioned to me that you have never made a bed sized quilt! How do you use the dozens of quilts you have made? 
 
Until I made the quilts for the books, I only had three finished quilts in my house!  I always ended up giving away the quilts I made to family and friends.  The book quilts are put away out of reach of my three cats who love quilts as much as I do.   

Comments

[Jocelyn]

Great interview. I love getting new insights from the designers of quilts. Kim's new book looks awesome. Not to mention how beautifully the quilts were made by her amazing friends.

[Karen Shackleford]

Thanks, Nicole and Kim, for the interview. It looks like a wonderful book, and it's been fun to learn so much about Kim!

[Kay Mc]

Thanks for the insight into the book. I can't wait to get a copy of it.

[Julie in WA]

Great interview. Thanks!

[sillysally]

Thanks for the great interview. Truly looks like a great book.

[Meg in CT]

I know how Kim feels! I have one finished quilt in my house--I've gifted or donated every other one I've made to date!

[Sandy A]

Love the quilt you featured! I hadn't seen it yet. Just added this book to my "gotta have" list!

Thanks for the great interview!

[Kim]

Thanks so much for your kind words! You're too sweet!

[Quilter Kathy]

That was fun to read. I enjoying learning more about the process of making a quilting book.

[Naomi Bannister]

Beautiful quilt as always.

[kristyr]

Love the quilt

[Henrietta]

Interesting interview, I love to hear how people came to the art, there are so many paths but Grandmothers seem to be a common thread (unintentional pun)

[Jenniffier]

fun interview

[Quilt]

This Sparkler is looking so fantastic... Very neat texture and design.. Wonderful article and these quilt are always..http://www.vivamagonline.com/index.php It was great reading about art.. Thank you..

[Marianne Snowden]

Nicole, your One-sies are adorable with the embroidery. They look every bit as nice as your friend's blocks!