In this Spotlight with Karen Eckmeier, teacher, author, and award-winning quilter, we explore her creative process and laid-back approach to the craft.
Karen is most known for her "Accidental Landscape" quilts, "Happy Villages", and her work with curves. I think you'll find this conversation inspiring and encouraging as Karen is just delightful!
In this video, I talk with Karen about:
- Her creative process (it's VERY laid back and improvisational)
- How she designs her quilts
- Her surprising approach to color choices
- Where she finds her inspiration
- How she helps her students get out of their comfort zones
If you'd like to take Karen's Accidental Landscape class, you can do so by joining Meander (an International Online Quilt Guild). Learn more / join Meander, here.
You can find Karen's books and patterns on her website.
Karen and I would love to hear from you! What was your biggest takeaway from this conversation? Leave a comment below.
16 comments
I’ve never heard of Karen or seen her work until I just watched this and I love everything! Something she said hit me powerfully because of a recent experience. I saw a picture online of some woodwork that was really talking to me. I was about to watch a quilt-along with Gudrun Erla called Harmony. I just had a major surgery earlier that week and wasn’t really into the pattern so was just going to watch and enjoy the fun. I was feeling pretty good though and couldn’t get that wood piece out of my mind so I just made 4 blocks hoping to capture the colors. I was thrilled with how they turned out but was shocked at the response, 579 likes? Wow!
I also often don’t finish things, I get an idea and have to figure it out but once I’ve figured it out I’m done and on to the next idea. Sometimes I go back and finish them but usually only if I decide to give it to someone. Thanks for validating that!
My daughter doesn’t understand what I do saying, “How many quilts do people need?”. It doesn’t have anything to do with making or needing quilts, it’s my brains need to create! You gals get it! My brain needed that so thank you. (I wish I could post a picture of the wood piece and my blocks though.)