Quilt Designer News

Terri Sontra
Purple Moose Designs

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:  I am a quilt designer because I can’t help but not be one. I started quilting around 1984 and quickly made every mistake in the book. Some of those mistakes led to “new” or re-invented designs. I discovered that I really liked taking an idea and figuring out how to interpret it in cloth and discovering new surprises. My first commercial pattern, 9 Patch Album Runner, started as somewhat of a lark. A new quilt shop opened in town and the owner asked if I would teach a class. She wanted me to come by the next day to show her a class sample geared towards absolute beginners. I went home that afternoon and made up a design, sewed it, quilted it and showed it to her the next day. If I had taken more time to think about it, I might not have begun this journey. That was in 1996. When my daughter was small I became a stay-at-home Mom which morphed into a work-at-home Mom as my business grew.

I find inspiration everywhere – nature, tile floors, ancient places of worship, art from other cultures, coloring books, a bowl of noodles – anything can be artful if you look at it as such. I recently purchased an old ceramic pitcher in an antique store because the design on it will make a great quilt! It is a tired old saying but I truly cannot live enough lifetimes to make all the quilts that are stuck in my head.

“Nine Patch Table Runner”
Designed by Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

Terri Sontra
Purple Moose Designs

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:  I find I am most productive in the morning. Being a work-at-home Mom means that I don’t always get a block of time in the morning so I make do with whatever I can eek out of the day. Fortunately, I have a very understanding family who doesn’t mind that the dishes or laundry might not always get done in a timely manner when a deadline approaches. I am the only cook in the house though. They are not as tolerant when food is not delivered in a timely manner!

Terri Sontra
Purple Moose Designs

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:  Of all the questions you asked, I think this one was the hardest. It’s like asking me to pick which puppy or kitten in a litter is the best. This one is really cute…but that one is so well behaved…ooh look at the spots on that one over there…and this one has pretty stripes…there’s no ONE right choice. So I am going to choose my latest pattern, Discovery, since it’s new and fresh in my mind.

I had a grainy photo of an antique quilt with an interesting design for many years. I finally decided to do something with it and started playing around on the computer. Once I had something I thought I liked I made a few test blocks to see how it would look in fabric. One of those test blocks had a happy accident and the quilt took on a whole new look. I had accidently discovered that you could get the look of viewing the fabric through a magnifying glass simply by choosing the right fabric and fussing cutting the pieces. I have since made one up in batiks, florals and a kids eye-spy version. My testers made theirs in florals and Halloween fabrics. Each one is so different, this is a very versatile pattern. That’s what I love about quilting – everything old is new again and there’s a surprise around every bolt of fabric.

“Discovery” blocks
Designed by Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

“Discovery”
Designed by Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

“Discovery”
Designed by Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs

Terri Sontra
Purple Moose Designs

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:  I would have to say a Salad Bar, a really big one with lots of choices! I would start off with my special mix of fabric lettuce and add in a wide array of delicious toppings like beads, buttons, yarns and other fibers (fiber is good for your system!) Drizzle on a dressing of yummy threads and a sprinkle of razzle-dazzle croutons and there you have a lovely one-of-a kind quilt, no two salads alike.

Terri Sontra
Purple Moose Designs

Q:  Please tell us a little about yourself … your name, your website, some of the names of your recent quilt designs.

A:  My name is Terri Sontra and I am the Head Moose at Purple Moose Designs (www.PurpleMooseDesigns.com).  I am a quilt designer, teacher and peddler of fine quilting notions and threads. I live and work in the heart of New Hampshire on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. My family enjoys all that the surrounding area has to offer us – all four seasons of the year!

My patterns are perfect for beginners but versatile enough for more experienced quilters to enjoy as well. 9 Patch Album Runner was created for absolute beginners, a great first project. Once Upon A Bunny Hill is a table runner for spring (or anytime for bunny lovers) and offers a chance to embellish with trims, beads or buttons. My Pin Collection is a quick-to-finish project that offers a place to show off all those collectible pins. You can choose fabrics that reflect whatever your personal pin collection is for: quilting, scouting, sports, travel, hobbies… My newest design is Discovery which is a wall hanging that appears as if you are looking at the fabric through a magnifying glass. Choosing the right fabric and fussing cutting are the keys to success with this one.

If you look at my personal collection of quilts you will see that I have an eclectic mix of traditional patterns, modern art quilts, contemporary fabrics and a stack of vintage quilts for inspiration. And I create them all using my collection of sewing machines, more than one person should have. My oldest is an 1871-74 Wilson treadle and my newest is a 2008 Designer Diamond. My machines span a range of 130+ years!

“Once Upon a Bunny Hill” Table Runner
Designed by Terri Sontra, Purple Moose Designs