Meet The Pattern designer: Lou Orth

Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 5th Jan 2020

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We had the pleasure of chatting with Lou Orth, creator of self titled 'Lou Orth Designs', which showcases Lou's patterns and love of modern quilting. We asked Lou a few questions on what inspires her, and the inspiration behind her beautiful patterns that she designs.... this is what she said!

1. WHAT IS IT ABOUT PATCHWORK & QUILTING THAT YOU LOVE THE MOST? HOW DID YOU FIRST GET STARTED?

I first started sewing about 8 years ago now. I had just had my first child and my mother in law decided to teach me how to sew. Having not enjoyed sewing at school, I wasn’t holding out much hope for this taking hold as a new hobby!!

Wow, was I wrong! I loved that feeling of accomplishment in making something with your own hands. My first make was a simple fold over cushion cover made using some Cath Kidston spot canvas fabric. I felt like I was a sewing genius and was just hooked from there on! A few months later, I stumbled up Katy Jones’ blog and my eyes were opened to this amazing world of modern quilts and modern, designer fabric. Let’s just say I never looked back.

2. WHAT IS IT ABOUT MODERN QUILTING THAT YOU PRFER?

The modern quilt aesthetic can come in so many forms. Negative space and giving a design room to breathe really appeals to me and seems to be common theme in a lot of modern quilts.

I love quilts that use solids to display a bold geometric design, I feel that they really give a strong design a bit more impact.

(Picture courtesy of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine)

3. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM WHEN CREATING YOUR QUILT DESIGNS?

I think inspiration comes from everywhere.

When designing quilts, I usually just start playing around with shapes (I use the EQ software) with no firm design in mind. I then keep editing until I get to a final design that I love. My final designs have always evolved from an unrecognisable start!

4. WHAT IS THE HARDEST AND MOST REWARDING PART OF DESIGNING YOUR OWN PATTERNS?

The most rewarding part, without a doubt, is seeing other people making the patterns. It's such a joy and honor to have someone spend their time sewing up a pattern I've made. I love seeing how different one design can look depending on the fabric chosen by the maker.

The hardest part? I think that's probably when you can't quite make a design work, which can be frustrating. I spend a lot of time working on designs, but not all of them make the cut so to speak. I have soo many designs that arent quite right, but its good to keep them and look over them from time to time. You never know when inspiration might strike and that old design might be the starting point of something fun!

5. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL PERFECT COLOUR COMBINATION?

What a tough question! I love so many colour combos. I love saturated colours but also pastels. I generally include pinks, blues and mustards in my quilt designs though!

6. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START YOUR BUSINESS AND WHY?

I actually started off making items to sell at craft fairs, I then began a blog to share my makes and then tutorials. This then developed into writing sewing and quilting projects for magazines in 2014. In Spring 2018, I launched my first paper pattern, Fraction.

This then continued and I now have my own website, www.louorthdesigns.com where I have a collection of paper and PDF patterns.

7. WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP FOR SEWERS & QUILTERS?

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Nervous about curves, foundation paper piecing, zips? Just try it! What’s the worst that can happen? (Feeling like an old Dr. Pepper advert there!) Maybe don’t use your most precious fabric, but don’t let anything intimidate you! I believe in you!

Feeling inspired then check out our collection of Lou Orths Patterns & Kits here: SHOP LOUTH ORTH DESIGNS

Kona cotton fabrics here: SHOP KONA COTTONS

WEBSITE: www.louorthdesigns.com

INSTAGRAM: @louorthdesigns

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