When I was a reporter for our local newspaper and a writer for quilting magazines, I interviewed quite a few quilters, both those who weren’t widely known and others who were   Do don’t be surprised if what you’re doing is of interest to a reporter somewhere.

The next question…“What do I do if someone wants to interview me?”

You’ll find 5 great tips at the b5media Business Channel’s Home Biz Notes (5 Top Tips for Newspaper Interviews) with further expansion at Pimp Your Work (Top 5 Interview Tips). 

Part 3 of the Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge consisted of our giving interview tips to Kay whose prototype business  supplies chef’s hats and aprons for kids.  A newspaper reporter has asked Kay for an interview; she  wondered what to expect and how to prepare.

The tips are fairly general.  So if you’re asked for an interview from a newspaper reporter or magazine columnist, you should find these very helpful.

If you’ve been interviewed, perhaps you have some other tips for quilters. 

(Interviews via e-mail for online publications are a different story, but very popular nowadays.)

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5 Interview Tips for the Quilter/Fabric Artist

You’ll find a photo of this quilt of many blocks at Chloe’s blog.  There’s also more information and photos at the Quilt of Belonging site about this collaborative work of art.

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Making a Difference with the Quilt of Belonging

These are inchies she made to send as trades.

A friend was looking at these and suggested Beth make some into necklaces.  She has adorned inchies with handmade fabric and paper buttons, then attached pin backs.

More about inchies at her Meandering Threads blog.  Here are some inchie pins.

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More Explorations in the World of “Inchies”

If your quilting interests have taken you into the quilting and mixed media arts world, you’ll find these ideas (may complete with instructions) a bonanza for you.

(The same company that publishes Cloth Paper Scissors also puts out Quilting Arts magazine, another innovative resource in the quilting and fabric art world.)

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Great Ideas for Quilters & Mixed Media Artists

Question: Which type of fabric do you prefer for your quilting and fabric art?

The possible choices: Polyester/cotton blend; 100% cotton; silk, satin, brocade, metallics; a combination of fabrics.

There’s no right or wrong, simply the fabrics that each artist prefers to use.  Sometimes, too, we’ll find ourselves changing as we venture into new artistic avenues.

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New Poll at Quilting and Patchwork

Generally you use e-mail newsletters if you want to reach quilters beyond the area where you live.  If you have an online shop, or traditional store that also offers Internet sales, you’ll favor an e-mail newsletter. 

 If you mainly sell to customers who frequent your shop, whether in your home or another location, you might print up monthly flyers with sales, new products, and interesting quilting information.

Various types of newsletters:

*Promoting sales and new products

*Keeping customers informed about what you’re doing in your quilting life.  Some quilters include family tidbits as well.

*Schedule of your classes and appearances.

*Instructions and quilting tips.

*Interesting information about quilting and fabric art.

*Interviews of other artists.

*Photos of your work and that of others

*Upcoming events in the quilting world.

*General quilting and life philosophy.

Newsletters will vary and take on a personality of their own, depending on the artist.  They will become items your customers and fellow quilters will look forward to.

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Effective Quilting Newsletters

When we stop by, the owners remark, “You’re having a mother/daughter outing,” and laugh because we often make it no further than their shop.

However, during our search through the store, we’re on the lookout for materials we can use for quilt hangings and fabric art.  Today Beth found a kimona type robe made of silky fabric of Oriental design.  It also had unique “frog” closings.  She doesn’t know how she’ll use this, but you can be sure it will find its way into some of her art.

I found a box with many compartments filled with beads of various types and colors.  For a dollar I couldn’t leave it behind.  These will come in handy for some of my fabric postcards and small hangings.

Another time Beth found a vest with a great deal of beading on it.  The vest didn’t interest her as something to wear.  She bought it for the beads which she has since used in many of her art pieces….and she still has quite a few left.

Keep on the alert when you have an opportunity to browse through second hand stores.  You never know what treasures you’ll discover to enhance your quilting and fabric art.

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Finding Quilting “Treasure” at Second Hand Stores

Cyndi also writes a b5media blog about multi media art, Layers Upon Layers (www.layersuponlayers.com)  She says she’s not a traditional quilter, although she’s done traditional quilting. 

MEA:  Cyndi, would you tell us something about you, your art, and your blog?

CYNDI:  I’m a mixed media artist who mostly makes jewelry, but I also play around with all different forms of collage, from purely digital, to traditional, to experimental art quilts.  I make quite a few mixed media quilts, combining paper and fabric.  In fact, I’ve got a little tutorial on the blog about it:  http://www.layersuponlayers.com/paper-quilting/

MEA:  How/why did you start collecting old fabrics?

CYNDI: I started my fabric collecting with old pieces of lace and clothing that had interesting beadwork or buttons. I did a lot of altered clothing for myself as I was growing up, using some of these finds, and was also lucky enough to have inherited many of my grandmother’s fine couture pieces.  She was quite a fashion-plate, not a milk-and-cookies grandma.

I kept many articles of my own clothing that meant something to me, and one day woke up to find they had become vintage!  I started to disassemble clothing that I had made or embellished and reworking it into other art forms.  From there, the need developed to collect pieces I might want to use in my collage and quilt work. 

I have always been drawn to fabrics that are older.  Since many of them are extremely delicate, good solid stabilized pieces like collages are the perfect way to show them off.

MEA:  Where do you find old fabrics [for those who would like to start collecting]?

CYNDI:  Mostly at antique malls.  I live near an old mill area, where textiles were once the major industry.  Even though I usually go to antique shops rather than junk shops, I find that the fabrics are pretty reasonable around here in New England.  I also have purchased some fabrics on eBay when I needed a specific piece, but this is pretty unusual.  It will be easier on a collector who is fortunate enough to like the products of the local industry, and it will be much cheaper.

MEA:  Do you have any projects planned with these fabrics?

CYNDI:  Constantly!  There are always pieces in the works or in the sketchbook: http://www.why-not-art.com/collages-quilts.html

Thanks, Cyndi, for sharing your experiences about old fabrics.  You’ve inspired me and I’m sure other readers will glean ideas from you.

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Cyndi Lavin, Mixed Media Artist & Fabric Collector

However, others companies produce calendars that appeal to quilters.  Some are derived from paintings of quilting scenes.  Others have quilting designs.  Some even may contain patterns for the quilt designs.

You also can make your own quilting calendars with photos of your fabric art and quilts.  With the printing programs now available for computers, producing calendars to give as gifts and even to sell is becoming common.

These calendars that quilters and fabric artists collect aren’t ones they throw away at the end of the year.  They become collectible items that are saved like their books and patterns.

Below is a calendar as well as a book for making various pieces of patchwork throughout the year that might capture your interest or give you ideas.

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Collecting Quilting Calendars

Nowadays, ladies still gather for quilting bees but more and more quilting get-togethers are online affairs.  Quilters and fabric artists from around the world join online groups to share their quilting news and patterns. 

They often conduct round-robins, where they mail quilting projects to one another for the additional embellishing.  There are contests and challenges with the submissions sent by mail.

These quilters correspond through e-mail, online groups, online chats and message boards, occasionally podcasts.  Sometimes they manage to get together in person at regional meetings, quilt exhibits, or someone’s home. 

Do you have a favorite online quilting group you belong to and would like to share with us?

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The Modern Quilting Bee