Quilt Designer News

Kristi L Parker
www.ChickenSoupDesigns.com

Q:  Why are you a quilt designer?  When did you start designing quilts and quilted projects and what has been your inspiration throughout your quilt designing career?

A:  My first quilt patterns were made because I needed something very simple and easy to use to teach beginners at a local quilt shop. I have also been very fortunate to have Marie Seroskie of Katie Lane Quilts as a mentor.  She has very generously offered her time, her expertise and constructive criticism so I can be a better designer. 

I am constantly trying and learning new things. 

I have so many ideas in my head I will never be able to get them all done! I enjoy sharing my designs with people, and especially enjoy seeing their end results after using my patterns.

“Flossie’s Four Patch” design by Kristi L Parker, Chicken Soup Designs

Kristi L Parker
www.ChickenSoupDesigns.com

Q:  Is there a special time of the day, day of the week or emotion that you find yourself in when you sit down to design a quilt block or quilt? Can you tell us about it?

A:  Inspiration for design ideas can come from almost anywhere.  For example, the design for “Tropical Whimsy” came from listening to my daughter sharing the experiences she had as an exchange student in the Dominican Republic. A current design that I’m working on actually came from looking at a motif on an antique plate! 

When I am quilting by hand or machine, I tend to “zone out”…it is my stress relief, my escape from the world!

Kristi L Parker
www.ChickenSoupDesigns.com

Q:  If you could pick any ONE quilt block (old or new) that you’ve either made or designed that exemplifies how you feel toward quilting, what block would that be – please name it and show us a picture (drawing or photograph) of it.
 
A:  The Mariner’s Compass block is by far my favorite block.  Ever since I learned how to do foundation paper piecing, I have incorporated that block into many of the quilts I make for myself.  I have attached photos of two of my favorite quilts.  The one done in warm colors is titled “Autumanl Equinox” and the one in the  cool colors is “Mariner’s Jewels”.  The block points in many directions, just as my interest in quilting takes me in many different directions.  I love to try many new techniques and design ideas when I express my creativity through quilting.

“Autumanl Equinox” designed by Kristi L Parker of Chicken Soup Designs

“Mariner’s Jewels”designed by Kristi L Parker of Chicken Soup Designs

Kristi L Parker
www.ChickenSoupDesigns.com

Q:  If you were to describe your quilt designing style by comparing it to food, what “recipe” would you say your quilt designing is made up of?
 
A:  Why, chicken soup, of course!!  My favorite quilts are scrappy with a mixture of piecing and applique techniques.  When I make chicken soup at home, I put just about anything and everything into the pot and stir it all up…..and that’s generally my approach to designing as well…..anything goes!

Kristi L Parker
www.ChickenSoupDesigns.com

Q:  Please tell us a little about yourself … your name, your website, some of the names of your recent quilt designs.
 
A:  Hi.  I’m Kristi Parker of Chicken Soup Designs.  I have been sewing since I was a little girl, and made my first quilt around the age of 12.  I am a Family and Consumer Science teacher at the middle school level.  I enjoy my job because I teach kids to sew all day long! 

Many of the patterns I have designed are geared for beginners or can be used as a good project to teach a child to sew. More recently I have introduced patterns that are more of a challenge to the intermediate quilter.  Check out my newest design, “Tropical Whimsy”, on my website  www.chickensoupdesigns.com.

“Tropical Whimsey” Designed by Kristi L Parker