In the August Designer Spotlight, we are excited to introduce Daphné Parthoens, the creative force behind Octopurse. Daphné is well-known in the quilting world for her exceptional work as a tester for many designers. Her impeccable taste in color ensures that each quilt she sews becomes a masterpiece. Recently, she has ventured into designing her own patterns and has chosen QuiltInk to offer you the chance to mockup her beautiful patterns. Want to know more about her? Don’t miss the full interview!
Photo credit: @sarah.lucchini
Personal Background
Daphné, 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?
I was born and raised in Belgium. I’m 45 years old and a mom to two big children. I studied history and I now work part time in a library. I’ve always loved sewing, embroidering, braiding, and I created Octopurse fifteen years ago to share my love of fabric through colorful and retro purses.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I started quilting during the first covid lockdown. It had been calling me for years, but I didn’t have the time to try it out. Quickly, it became a true passion. I learned a lot by testing for other creators, and I developed my own taste with time and experience.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
The more I tested for others, the more I wanted to adapt designs and add my own personal touch to them. This resulted in some early patterns that relied mainly on the use of colors. I can spend hours just creating mock-ups only to keep one or none at all. I mainly work by trial and error.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I really love star quilts. It’s a demanding design, and one I haven’t grown tired of. The possibilities seem endless! I like trying to bring a modern touch to this super classic design, as well as playing with lines, colors, gradients and contrasts.
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?
Color is the pillar of all my creations. I work mainly with solids. I like creating patterns that make it possible to use many different color combinations and to change styles by changing palettes. I like bright colors, gradients, and vibrant (sometimes garish) contrasts. Neutral tones are definitely not my favorite. Pinks and reds are probably what I like most.
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
I sell fully handquilted quilts, patchwork purses and a few quilting gift ideas (mugs, t-shirts, stickers,…).
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?
You can find my creations on my website www.octopurse.be and on Etsy, www.etsy.com/shop/octopurse . I keep busy on my Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/octopurse/ but it’s on Instagram that I am the most active (and most easily reached) : @octopurse. It’s a very rich platform when it comes to inspiration and sharing.
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
My next pattern, or rather patterns, will be dropping in August. They are two sister patterns: a block-based version and a lone star version, both using the same type of design. I can’t wait to find out which one will have more success. I also hope to offer a block pattern to download for free in the next few months, and I’m excited to continue working on some new patterns.
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?
QuiltInk is a great tool for creators like me who don’t have much skill in the use of creation softwares. My husband helps me a lot for that, but when I’m in my “drafts” phase, QuiltInk is my favorite tool to test designs using simple star quilt grids by testing infinite color variations. It’s really inspiring and cheerful to discover others’ mock-ups. Much better than a coloring book, in my opinion!