Say “Hello” to Jennifer Thomas at Curlicue Creations! She is a quilt designer with a love of color, spending her days sewing in an old vintage farmhouse in the rolling countryside of North Carolina with her children, cats, and nature all around. The sky enchants Jennifer: its ever-changing colors and moods give her daily inspiration. Jennifer’s patterns have been published in dozens of quilting magazines including Quiltmaker, Modern Quilts, Love of Quilting, Modern Patchwork, American Quilter, McCall’s Quilting, and so many more!

Time to get an inside look at Jennifer’s creative process! We asked her a few questions and here’s what she had to say…

Island Batik: When did you first pick up a sewing needle?

Jennifer: I’ve always sewn something. My mother sewed my clothing when I was little, she taught me to sew. I became interested in quilting in my 20’s and am a self taught quilter.

What got you into quilting?

I was inspired to learn to quilt by the now defunct Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine.

What inspires your design process?

Color, pattern, nature, sometimes my designs are inspired by pieces of other quilts on my design wall.

What are your most and least favorite parts of quilting, and why?

I love seeing the design I have created come together into a quilt. Piecing the blocks, sewing a zigzag stitch around fusible appliqué patches. I love that part. Least favorite: Trimming half square triangles.

What were your beginner mistakes in quilting?

Not taking the time to get my seam allowance correct.

What is one sewing technique that you said you never even try, but ended falling in love with?

Fusible appliqué! I always loved hand appliqué. I tried fusible appliqué while testing a block pattern and fell in love with it.

What block or pattern could you make over and over again and not get tired of it?

Hexagons! I love them. They are addictive. I always have a few hexie quilts in progress. I also enjoy just making the EPP hexagons. I store them in color families in cross stitch floss boxes. I use my scraps to make the hexagons and have a dream of one day having enough prepped that I have any color to choose from, like an artist’s palette.

What is your sewing peeve?

Trimming half square triangles. Ugh!

What do you do that you hope the “quilt police” never find out about?

I do a straight seam to finish my binding instead of a diagonal bias seam.

Do you have a favorite quilt that you have made and why is it your favorite?

Aura! It’s a very colorful, free form, EPP hexagon quilt.

What are your other crafty (and non-crafty) hobbies?

I sometimes like to cross stitch, knit, and crochet.

Do you have a pet that “helps” you sew?

I have five cats! Trail Mix is my number one sewing helper. She is a long hair calico cat and is usually right on my sewing machine table while I am working.

If you could choose an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to experience it.

Be sure to follow Jennifer on Instagram and subscribe to her blog to see what she makes with Island Batik fabric this year!

To see the 2023 Island Batik Ambassador team, please visit: https://islandbatik.com/2023-ambassadors/

Stay tuned as we introduce you to more talented Island Batik Ambassadors and let us know in the comments below what else you want to ask Jennifer!