Personal Background

Prarthana, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?

My name is Prarthana Inglis (Dickson), currently based in Brisbane, Australia. But my family is from Tamil Nadu in India. I have also lived in the US! I am 38 this year! I have two little girls – a 2 and a 1/2 year old and a 9 month old. Life is pretty full on usually! I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in Business administration. Before quilting I worked in a school as their organisation development manager, which I loved. I moved to Australia in 2021 with my husband who is Australian but from a different state and together we moved to Brisbane and built our life here ❣️

Quilting Journey

When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?

I have always loved everything creative! As a child I learnt to knit, and went around knitting outfits for my Barbies (not very good outfits!). I did basic hand-sewing at the time as well. My mother and aunty made things like curtains and covers for things but we didn’t have a sewing machine so I never really learnt to use one. I picked up sewing again after uni when I was working at a boarding school in the residences back in 2010 as an after school activity to do with the kiddos. I made a patchwork cushion cover, which then led to a patchwork quilt! I was living in the foothills of the Himalayas at that time and we had the most amazing fabric shop with some really lovely cottons. I didn’t really do much with it then, except to buy fabric here and there. But fast forward to 2020 and I had a lot more time to work on things. So with my fabrics I worked on a queen size quilt – all hand sewn! I started sharing my journey and people were super keen to follow along. I borrowed a treadle sewing machine and my mother taught me to use it, and my sewing became much faster after that. Cece’s Quilts and Things was born from all that. Things stalled a bit when we moved to Australia, but soon it started to grow again. I would still consider myself as a new quilter/designer because of all these life changes. But I have learnt so much along the way!

I love the feel of fabrics! The prints bring me joy and creating something that is methodical and takes time has helped me through many difficult times. As a mathematician, I love the precision of quilting, but my creative side loves that things don’t have to be perfect and how overall the mistakes don’t take away from a brilliant quilt. I also love sharing my journey and teaching others, especially those of the next generations. It’s so important to pass on crafts! With quilting I can also bring together some of my cultural backgrounds. Using Indian fabrics in patchwork quilting and other projects is one of those things! Indian cottons are usually made into whole cloth quilts, like dohars and razais, which are both amazing and often very soft. But these fabrics also work really well in patchwork and can make some of the softest quilts. Quilting is also not something that is traditionally in my family’s history, even though we have some amazing creatives. Which has meant my quilting journey has had a sharp learning curve, but that’s been one of the best parts of it all. 

Pattern Designing

What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?

When I first started quilting, a friend asked if I could teach her. So I wrote up a pattern tutorial as a blog post series while I was still living in India for her and a few others. After that anytime I was commissioned to make a quilt, it was so much fun working on a pattern. And that was the start of it all! I loved watching things come together when I played around with blocks or creating shortcuts for things. 

I usually start one of two ways – one with my grid sketchbook (like graph paper) and a pencil or two with orphan blocks left over from other projects. I draw lots of inspiration from my mathematics background and love working with patterns that are symmetrical. Sketching with a pen and paper is amazing! I use it as a way to unwind and love how things come together – some make it as quilts, and some stay on the paper! 

Style and Aesthetics

How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?

My pattern style is probably colourful and eclectic. I try to keep everything as simple as possible so most people can re-create the designs without too much difficulty. I love using stars in my designs! 

Color

How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?

I don’t have a favourite colour, but I find I am often drawn towards jewel tones. I think you will find teals and purples in a lot of my mock ups! But in my real quilts – anything can happen! 

Business Activities

Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?

(Membership, notions, courses, etc)

At the moment I have only focused on either handmade items or quilt patterns, but I am hoping to expand into workshops and classes (online and in person) in the future! 

Online Presence

Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?

Website: www.cecesquiltsandthings.com

Instagram: @cecesquiltsandthings

Etsy: https://cecesquiltsandthings.etsy.com

I share my quilting journey on socials and usually send out an email via MailChimp with information about sales, new patterns, and some life updates. I love connecting with others who create while also balancing parenthood or life in general. I have an online shop on Etsy and my website, but there are more items listed on my website at the moment. I also have a quilty blog on my website.

Upcoming Projects

Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?

I sometimes write for the online magazine, Quilt Stories India, and I actually have a little something in their latest issue. Also, July is my birthday month, so I may or may not have a possible freebie pattern coming up!

QuiltInk Experience

How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?

I love creating mock ups and I have loved using QuiltInk to do that, because I can do it quickly and effectively. Plus I love seeing some big name designers on there! 

Personal Background

Vickeidy, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?

¡Hola! I’m Vickeidy Plybon, the brains, heart, and hands behind Sewspicious. I live in New York City in a small apartment with my husband, two kids, and too many sewing machines. I’m 37 years old and work as a high school Spanish teacher. I mostly teach newly arrived immigrants and heritage language speakers. This is my favorite group to work with because I was once in their shoes. I understand what it’s like to be a teenager in a new country, struggling to learn a new language. My family migrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States when I was 15, and I’ve lived in NYC ever since.

Quilting Journey

When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?

I started quilting in 2018. To make a long story short, I am a 4th-generation sewist. My mother ran a home-based business making custom clothing for people in our community. She studied fashion design, and pattern making was her specialty. She could make anything: wedding gowns, school uniforms, fancy outfits, suits, clothes for my dolls. You name it, she could make it. She even used a treadle machine for the many hours we didn’t have electricity in the Dominican Republic. When we migrated to the United States, she left that part of her life behind.

In 2017, I came across a sewing machine on Facebook Marketplace that reminded me of my mom’s old treadle. It was a Singer 99. It wasn’t working, but I turned to Google and YouTube and eventually got it running smoothly. That’s when I caught the bug and started buying and restoring vintage sewing machines. I did that for a while until I came across the Singer Featherweight 221. I had never heard of it, so I looked it up and found out it was a favorite among quilters. I didn’t even know what a quilter was, so I did more research. I made it my New Year’s resolution to make a quilt in 2018 and  I fell in love and have been quilting ever since.

What drew me to quilting the most was the freedom to create what I wanted. I love turning pieces of fabric into something that will be cherished for years. Quilting helps me quiet my mind and shut off intrusive thoughts. I can sew for hours and forget about daily life and its struggles.

Pattern Designing

What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?

I started designing patterns in 2022. I wanted to make a quilt designed by a person of color, but I couldn’t find many on Instagram. That’s when I realized there was a major gap in representation and decided to give it a try. I discovered that I love the design and writing process just as much as I enjoy making the quilts.

I learned how to write patterns through Amber Elliot’s Pattern Writing Academy at Alderwood Studio. It’s a very comprehensive course that taught me everything I needed to know. For me, designing a new pattern usually starts with the desire to make something specific. I picture the quilt in my mind but can’t find a pattern that matches, so I start sketching. I go through many iterations before settling on a final design.

Style and Aesthetics

How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?

I would describe my style as modern traditional. I love clean lines, curves, symmetry, and bright colors. I’m drawn to geometric designs that are interesting to the eye.

Color

How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?

I often struggle with color choices. I really like two-tone designs because they allow the pattern to shine. My favorite color is black, but my quilts are usually full of color. I tend to favor light gray, white, or cream as background colors in all of my designs.

Business Activities

Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?

(Membership, notions, courses, etc)

Right now, designing patterns is the main and only focus of my business. However, I hope to expand in the future.

Online Presence

Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?

I spend most of my time on Instagram. It’s the main platform I use to connect with other quilters because it’s user-friendly and where I find most of my community. I share sneak peeks of upcoming patterns, current projects, fabric pulls, and occasional reminders for fellow quilters and makers.

Website: www.sewspicious.com

Instagram: @sewspicious

Upcoming Projects

Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?

I’m putting the final touches on a pattern I hope to release in mid-June. It’s called Afterglow, and it’s my modern take on a traditional block. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.

I also have a newly released thread collection with Aurifil Threads called Hilos de Alegría. It’s a beautiful set of seven curated colors designed to bring joy to any of your projects.

QuiltInk Experience

How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?

I love collaborating with and using QuiltInk. It opens up my patterns to endless possibilities. As a designer, I have a vision for what my patterns might look like, but when I see how others recolor them on QuiltInk, it always surprises me in the best way. The color combinations and variations that others come up with are ones I wouldn’t have even considered. It’s an amazing platform that helps fuel creativity and build community.