sewhooked guest designer

designed by Schenely Pilgram

This week’s Guest Designer is one I’ve only just become acquainted with. Schenley just started designing recently, but jumped in with both feet and has already made some amazing new designs!

Photobucket

Name and where you’re from:

Schenley Pilgram
My hometown is Philipsburg, PA. I’m currently living in Grove City, PA.

Website/blog/online store or other place where your patterns or photos of your work can be found?

Flickr

How long have you been paper piecing and/or quilting?

I started sewing when I bought a heart-shaped yo-yo maker in August ’08, intending to make a gift for my mom, who LOVES quilts (and has made a few herself). I ended up making multiple yo-yo gifts, both with hearts and circles. My best friend remarked that the circles reminded her of hydrangeas, which we both love. The idea of making her a hydrangea pillow was born. I used multiple sizes of circles, and appliqued the leaves.

I had stumbled upon sewhooked.org months earlier because of the Legend of Zelda blocks. I absolutely adored them (and all the HP designs, of course!). I figured if the internet could teach me to applique and make a pillow (complete with piping), I could give the Triforce a try. Obviously, I was hooked.

What do you use own your block designs for?

I have made a few pillows, and my second original design was for a wall hanging. I am currently working on a Harry Potter quilt.

When did you start designing?

December 2009.

Was there a particular inspiration to draw your first pattern?

After I made the yo-yo hydrangea pillow, I wanted to make a pillow for my other best friend. I decided to do a paper-pieced version of her Welsh Corgi, Habibi. I couldn’t find anything even close online, so I thought I might as well try designing it myself.

Do you remember what your first design was?

Habibi the Corgi. My first Harry Potter design was Dumbledore’s Deluminator. I was trying to think of magical items that had not been done yet, and that was the easiest one to conceptualize and make quickly.

Do you have a favorite among your own designs?

Probably the wall hanging I did of Aslan, because that was a big undertaking (and only my second attempt at paper piecing!). My favorite Harry Potter block so far is my most recent, Harry’s Patronus.

Aslan pattern

What do you use to design your patterns? Paper and pencil, a specific software, etc.

I use Photoshop Elements – typically I have a photo, illustration or composite that I use as a guide to draw the lines and begin the pattern.

How has the online community changed the way you craft/quilt/design, etc.?

I have long used Photoshop for my photography and the occasional graphic design (I have items for sale on Zazzle that my sister and I designed), and I am loving being able to apply that to my new hobby. I’ve grown up surrounded by quilts, but thought quilting would be too frustrating because I’m a perfectionist. If it were not for this community I would never have experienced the joy and pride that comes from sewing and designing these blocks!

Anything else you’d like to add?

My best friend wants me to start designing Lord of the Rings blocks – she said it would get her to actually try paper piecing!

The photo shows my two house rabbits, Luke and Leia.

Do you have a favorite among your own designs?

Probably the wall hanging I did of Aslan, because that was a big undertaking (and only my second attempt at paper piecing!). My favorite Harry Potter block so far is my most recent, Harry’s Patronus.

Find Schenley’s patterns here on sewhooked