Caribbean Splash Collection

Our first pattern designer feature highlights Nan Baker of Purrfect Spots Designs! Purrfect Spots has multiple projects featuring three of our new fabric collections, two of which showcase Caribbean Splash fabrics!

Nan Baker has been stitching all of her life and created her company, PURRFECT SPOTS to combine her love for needlework and animals. Nan designed cross stitch and needlepoint designs before she started designing quilts. The designs displayed on her website are available for purchase. Her cross stitch and needlepoint designs have appeared in many needlework catalogs. Her quilting designs have appeared in the Quilting Professional, The Quilt Pattern Magazine, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, American Patchwork and Quilting, Fons & Porter Love of Quilting and on QNNtv.com. She is the Marketing Director for The Quilt Pattern Magazine and spearheaded the TQPM Kennel Quilt Team which works with the Petfinder Foundation to help animals in disasters.

Get to know Nan with our Q&A below! Click to â€‹

Describe your design style.
This is a difficult question. I donâ€™t know that I have any particular style as most times I try to match the design to the fabric. Some fabrics just call for special types of quilts. I guess you might say I am somewhere between traditional and modern. The old classics have a wonderful appeal, but I like them updated as I find them more challenging. I love it when I can accomplish a â€œWOWâ€ factor in my quilts.

What was your first experience with sewing?
I think I must have been born with a needle and thread in my hand as I was trying to put fabric pieces together as long as I can remember. My grandmother encouraged me and taught me to make doll clothes, knit and crochet.

What ignited your passion for quilting?
I love fabric and I use to make all my clothes. I was a cross stitch designer and felt that many of my patterns would transfer into applique in quilting.

What inspired you to start a pattern business?
I was already designing cross stitch patterns and painting needlepoint canvases for shops, so it just seemed like the natural thing to do.

What do you love about working with batiks?
I love all the designs that can be found in the batiks plus I love the feel of the fabric. I count it a plus that you can use either side.

Which Island Batik project as been your favorite so far?
That is really a difficult question as I have loved all my Island Batik projects. But if I had to choose just one, it would be my Fall Flurry quilt which used the Sweet Georgia Peach Collection. Also the fact that I got to piece and applique in this quilt made it very special.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
I get inspiration from so many places. I am constantly on the lookout for new designs. I find my eyes wandering in church - at the architecture, stain glass windows and ladies jackets. I guess the most unusual inspiration was the light fixture above my head when I was having physical therapy. In fact I have made several quilts that were inspired by light fixtures.

What keeps you excited about working in this industry?
The confirmation of my designs, plus I love working with fabric. There is never enough time in the day to make all that I want to make. I also enjoy all the wonderful friends that I have made whether they are fabric manufacturers or other designers. It is just a very special industry. We have a common ground, the love of fabrics and most love animals as well! I advise my young friends that if you can sew, you will never be lonely as you can go to a quilt shop anywhere, get involved and make new friends.

CARIBBEAN SPLASH

FEATURE DESIGNER

NAN BAKER â€¢ PURRFECT SPOTS DESIGNS

New Row by Row Palette

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