Pat Sloan - Interview with Jane Sassaman

When I received an invite to be on Jane Sassaman's blog tour I about fainted...

SERIOUS!

I am a HUGE fan girl ... i said yes .... then immediately scurried off to unearth my Pile of Janely goodness that is waiting to be a quilt..

A quilt that is now in her BOOK!

Here is my pile of fabric to make this quilt

Mine wlll be in a blue colorway

who knew when I collect this fabric that I'd NEED blue for the living room?

I am so excited about Jane's book. All the other bloggers are sharing the insides of the book... I wanted us to get to know Jane a bit better (Acutally I want to know her better.. like be her next door neighbor and get all her scraps!). The links to the other blogs are at the end.

What is your favorite quilt thing to do? Why?

Of course, I love the whole process of making quilts. But it is always exciting when a new phase begins... beginning to design, beginning of the "glorious mess", beginning to stitch, beginning to baste, beginning to quilt. I love the constant confrontation and making creative decisions throughout the entire process.


What does your work area look like . what is your favorite part of it. what would you change?

Currently, I have the best working environment that I've ever had. My studio is in a separate building on our property, just down the hill from the house. It has two nice sized rooms, one of which used to be a 2 1/2 car garage.

One room is for office work, printing, pattern storage, shipping and partial library.

The other bigger room has a 4 X 8 work table, long work wall, two sewing stations, ironing station, floor to ceiling fabric shelves and more library. I can always use more storage, but that will come in time.

The view from my windows is wonderful... lots of trees and the back garden. The thing that I would like to change...to have more time to spend here.

What is the last piece of fabric you bought?

It's awful (awfully wonderful), but I have fabric coming out my ears, especially my FreeSpirit fabrics. So when I buy fabric it is usually solids for making my applique quilts. The last fabrics I bought were some beautiful hand dyed wools from Wooly Lady (woolylady.com) and scrumptious suede like cottons from Cherrywood (cherrywoodfabrics.com).

(Photo is more of my pile of Jane fabric to do my Jane quilt!)

What was the best piece of advice you ever got, who was it from?

One of the most instrumental books in my life is Dawns and Dusks (by Diana MacKown), which is a long conversation with artist Louise Nevelson. Here was a kindred soul who felt as deeply about making art as I did. She taught me that you can't do everything, you have to make choices and accept them. For me that means 8 hours a day, seven days a week in the studio, when I am home. I miss out on other things, but that's fine. I'm happiest in the studio.

What was the most interesting trip you have ever taken? Why?

Most of my travel is for teaching. One of the best trips I've made was a teaching cruise through the Baltics.  It was a pilgrimage for me. I am a huge fan of Scandinavian design, both contemporary and folk art.

I was able to visit the historic home of Finnish designer and architect, Eliel Saarinen, Svenskt Tenn the Stolholm store that still produces Josef Frank's fabrics, a Gudren Sjoden boutique (also in Stockholm) , plus several Marimekko and other contemporary design stores. Floating through the Swedish Archipelago past all the idilic summer houses was like being in a fairytale. I was in HEAVEN!

Would you like to win a copy of Jane's book? 

Leave me a comment telling me

"What Flower would you like Jane to put in her next Fabric line?"

Winner Picked Sunday night July 22 after dinner.. so watch your email!

And Visit Jane's blog for incredible inspiration http://sassaman.blogspot.com.au/

July 2nd -   Laura Wasilowski (Artfabrik)

July 3rd -   Jessica Sloan  (Remnants: Fibre Culture)

July 4th  - holiday

July 5th  - Judy Coates Perez

July 6th  - Jane Sassaman (Idea Book)

July 7th  - Linda Teufel (Dragon Threads)

July 8th  - Gloria Hansen

July 9th  -  Melissa Peda http://100billionstars.com/blog/

July 10th - Susan B Knapp (Blue Moon River)

July 11th -  Jacquie Gering http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/

July 12th - Weeks Ringle http://craftnectar.com/

July 13th - SewCalGal  

July 14th - Jessica Kovach http://twinfibers.blogspot.com/

July 15th - Pam Matthews www.delrayfabrics.com/blog

July 16th - Frieda Anderson http://www.friestyle.com/my-blog.html

July 17th - Pat Sloan

July 18th - Jan Krentz

July 19th - Anita Grossman Solomon http://makeitsimpler.blogspot.com/

July 20th - Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/

July 21th - The Quilt Show

July 22th - Jane La Fazio (JaneVille)

July 23th - Free Spirit

July 24th - Nancy Zieman

Comments

[Janice T. Taylor]

I've always loved lady's slippers and would love to see what Jane would do with them. I would also love to win a copy of Jane's new book -- her designs are a favorite of mine.

[Deb F]

I can't believe I've missed most of this blog hop as I LOVE Jane's designs. I wish more Ohio shops would carry her fabrics. I would like to see either zinnias or poppies in one of her designs. I hope I win a copy of her book, but if not I will order one very soon.

[Denny]

I hope it's not after dinner yet!! I'd love to see something like a saguaro cactus flower or a prickly pear cactus flower or a cholla cactus flower . . . Can you tell I live in the desert?

[Meg]

I would love a copy of Jane's book, she has such an interesting way of looking at everyday things.

[Beth Hammergren]

Columbines-love their unique shapes and beautiful colors. Loved your interview and the pictures. Really inspired-and love the blue fabrics. Thanks for the opportunity.

[mel b mcfarland]

Gerber daises would be fabulous - all those bright colors would lend themselves well to Jane's style. Her new book looks beautiful and chock-full of great ideas!

[Doreen van der Merwe]

I think that hydrangeas would be lovely.

[Tammy Hempel]

A bird of Paradise flower would be just beautiful in her style. The colors are so vibrant already in nature I can just imagine how Jane would mold it to her style.

[Debra Leaman]

Geranium: in the language of flowers means 'true friend'. Geraniums would represent quilting and friendship and the bonds tied with needle and thread.

[Donna Baker]

gorgeous fabrics, what a problem to have (so many!) I would love to see cherry blossoms, they are my favorite

[Sarah]

So fun to read the comments on this question!
Gotta say, I love whatever is in bloom at the time! Right now the poppies and agapanthus are especially yummy! But dahlias are coming and they will be fab!
Thanks for the chance to win this book and for the great interview!

[becky derry]

Artic Fire Dianthus are just beautiful to me.I think she could incorparate them in a very nice way. Thank-you for the chance and good luck to all

[Linda Sterle]

I love Lily of the Valley, I think the bell shape would be a great design feature!

[Eleanor Masters]

I love coneflowers but whatever she decides on would be perfect. I am always intrigued by her use of color and shapes. And winning the book would save me some money to buy some more of her material...

[Nancy Arseneault]

Jane loves spikey things...I would love to see her do the blossom from a saguaro cactus. Come on, Jane, give it a try!

[Rose Landon]

A Rose of course!!

[Aggiequilter]

I would love to see her use Sunflowers in her next line ! I grew up in Kansas and I love sunflowers. Jane's designs are so wonderful, I never tire of seeing them! Thanks for the chance to win !!

[Charlotte Key]

I'm from the Northwest, how about Azaleas.

[Laurie]

Gardenia's would be wonderful, they are so delicate yet sophisticated.

[Judy]

I would like to see roses or hydrangeas

[kathie l]

I currently have zinnias blooming, and they are stupendous!

[Kathy MacKie]

Wouldn't Sweet Peas be divine, I think so and would love to win this great book!

[Cheryl]

I would like to see Jane do coneflowers.

[Monica]

I love daisies, and so did my paternal grandmother and my cousin who left us way too early in life. Thanks Pat for the chance to win. I took a class with her once, she is the most serene person I've ever met! Wonderful!

[Trudi Sommerfield]

I love most flowers. I'd love to see Jane's "take" on hydrangeas.