Noel Payton

Guilderland, New York

About Noel Payton...

I've been quilting since… Unfortunately, I was one of those people who didn't realize the importance of putting dates on quilts.  Now, I can't remember when I made my first one!  My best guess is that I have been quilting between 5 - 7 years.

I began quilting because… Quilting began to attract my attention in the 90's, and I knew it was something I had to try.  For some inexplicable reason, I thought I'd have to wait until I retired before starting.  Fortunately, I finally realized that was a silly notion and I began two to three years before I retired and loved it from day one.

I learned to quilt… Because I am self-taught in so much that I do and I have found that that is not always the best way to learn, I went to my local quilt shop and signed up for a beginners' class.

My quilting style is… I haven't really worked in only one style.  I do like making whimsical, folk art, traditional, and art quilts.

A person who inspired me…  Jane Sassaman, Judy Niemeyer, Kim Diehl, and Edyta Sitar are some the luminaries in my personal pantheon.  I know the minute I submit my answers, I will think of twenty more people I should have listed!

My imagination is sparked by… Reading, working in my garden, visiting museums in every town I visit, art classes, music are all sources of inspiration for me.

My favorite techniques… Something in me loves paper-piecing—maybe what it makes possible or the precision, I don't know why.  I also love using wool because I adore the rich colors and doing embroidery.

Colors or fabrics I'm attracted to... What an education quilting is! Now I love every color and I look at fabrics differently, too  However, I am drawn to rich jewel colors and like to use colors with high contrast. While I love fabrics with a smooth hand, I must add that I look for fabrics that can add texture to a work.

My fabric stash... Oh golly, my stash encompasses almost every size and every color! Flannel, wool, cotton, silk, velvets, and home decorating fabrics are all included in my stash.

My quilting community… I haven't stayed with the only guild I joined because I don't enjoy driving at night during the winter (and winter can be quite long in my area). Instead, some friends and I formed a small group that meets once a month on a Sunday to sit, sew, and chat. Not all of us are quilters, but we all do some sort of craft/art, and we learn from each other.  It's a wonderful support group!

My additional hobbies/interests…Wow, this has been a problem; I love to do too many things! I've always been an avid reader and traveler. Embroidery, counted-cross stitch, and knitting are activities that I work on for months, put down for several months, and then go back to. Gardening, painting, and playing the piano are other areas of constant interest.

I entered Quilt Design Star™ 2011 because... Sharing this experience with others who are involved in this contest and watching what they create are inspirational experiences and push me. One of the things I really work very hard at is challenging myself to try new things so I can continue to grow. It would be very easy for me to stay within my comfort zone and pass up opportunities to experiment. Entering Quilt Design Star™ will force me to become both a better quilter and a more well-rounded designer.

Links... No, I don't have any links.

What you should know about me… My first teachers, Karen and Mardi, were so instrumental in encouraging my first stumbling steps that I want to do the same for others. Sharing my knowledge and experiences with others is as important to me as the creative process. When I have an opportunity to teach, I jump at the chance. Through teaching I feel I can pay forward what my teachers have given me. Besides, my students are some of the best teachers I've ever had!

Jack's Wild Ride (below) is Noel's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 entry quilt.

Ruby Takes a Walk (below) is Noel's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 1 quilt.

Daisy Makes Do (below) is Noel's Quilt Design Star™ 2011 Challenge 2 quilt.