Linda Dalton

Liberty Hill, Texas

About Linda Dalton...

How long I've been quilting… I learned to quilt in 1985 the year before my first son was born, so I guess that would be 26 yrs now.

I began quilting because… I was stationed in Germany for the Air Force and was still trying to get used to the area and what it had to offer. The on base recreation center was offering a class and I thought it sounded interesting so I took it. I had just found out I was pregnant and thought it would be nice to make a quilt for my baby.

I learned to quilt… I was taught the fabric tearing method in my first class which I find amusing now when I think back. After that initial class 26 yrs ago, most of my experience has been self taught with the exception of some classes that I have taken on occasion at local quilt shops. 

My quilting style is… I think I am a modern quilter with traditional roots...does that make sense? I tend to lean more towards geometrical designs versus some of the older more traditional ones. I like to take an older traditional style and try and put a modern spin on it through color or placement.

People who inspired me…  Karen Stone inspires me, as does Kathy York. I have an abounding fascination with vivid colorful quilts with lots of movement and I like to dabble a little in the art quilting area as well, so both of these women have inspired me.

My imagination is sparked by… Sometimes from feelings or thoughts, knowing someone and wanting to create something that is special for that particular individual in a certain way that they understand, even though others may not see it. Nature also, the blue of the sky, the way the sun might hit a drop of water on a leaf in a particular way, paw prints in the snow, etc… I think that you can draw inspiration from so many different places if you only just open yourself up to looking at things in a different perspective.

My favorite techniques… I love paper piecing! Regular piecing is also great, and I am not opposed to a combination of pieced quilts and applique combined.

Colors or fabrics I'm attracted to... Yes, I love blues and browns as well as BRIGHT colors. I also love love love paisley and any batik!

My fabric stash... Well I would be lying if I didn't tell you that my stash is so large that I am sure I couldn't use all of my fabric in this lifetime… but I am sure going to try! I have stash in what I call my studio, as well as in the room and closet (extra bedroom) that holds my longarm. The fabric in the closet is all organized by color. I also have fabrics organized by projects - fabrics that I picked specifically to go together at one time without a pattern but because I liked them. I have Moda, Hoffman, Kona Bay, Kaufman, Marcus Brothers, etc… I am a slight fabric snob and will only buy GOOD fabric. I also LOVE batiks and have a fairly impressive stash of this as well, which includes about 25 of the Bali-pops (aren't they just fabulous?). I call my fabric stash my Fabric 401K. :)

My quilting community… I work full time and haven't had time to join a local guild, which is really disappointing, but I do participate in a number of online quilting groups and usually have 2-3 projects at a time going with those. I have done a few online projects with Pat Sloan and have recently been doing some with a group on Facebook called Just Us Quilters. I am participating in a Block of the Month with them right now as well as a group project that is to be completed by the end of June.

My additional hobbies/interests… I like to cook and really enjoy fresh foods, fresh produce and herbs.  I also enjoy taking photographs, especially taking great photos of the quilts that I make in just the perfect setting. I enjoy dabbling in gardening when its not too hot. 

I entered Quilt Design Star™ 2011 because... Wow… long story here, I will keep it brief. I have been working on me lately and trying to discover who I really am as a person, and to let that person shine through. Quilting is such a passion for me and something that really makes me happy, I want to push myself to do things that I haven't done before, to challenge myself to move to that next level… to not be afraid to jump off and see what happens. I feel ready to put myself out there, and that is why I entered! 

Links... I do have a website for my business, TheQQuiltingStudio.com.  I was doing a blog previously, but find that there are not enough hours in my day to do everything that I would like to do, and so I had to give that up for now.

What you should know about me… I have a wicked sense of humor, I can make you smile even if you don't want to. I love life! I always try to look on the bright side of life which I guess means I am an optimist. I am passionate about my quilting and my creativity.

You Light Up My Life (below) is Linda's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 entry quilt.

I Dream in Paisley (below) is Linda's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 1 quilt.

Midnight Garden (below) is Linda's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 2 quilt.