This month’s Designer Spotlight features Lindlee, the talent behind Plains and Pine. From her career as a Financial Analyst to becoming a full-time quilt pattern designer, Lindlee’s journey is a testament to following your passion. Based in Bozeman, Montana, she creates designs that beautifully balance traditional and modern elements, often inspired by her love for the Lone Star quilt.
Dive into Lindlee’s story as she shares her quilting journey, creative process, and how she infuses unexpected color combinations into her designs. Discover how she uses quilting as both an art form and a way to connect with others through her workshops, kits, and exciting upcoming projects!
Personal Background
Lindlee, 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 am a former Financial Analyst and Accountant who “retired” in 2022 to pursue my love of Quilt Pattern design full time. As “full time” as having 2 young kids allows, that is! I live in Bozeman, Montana with my husband, 2 kids (a toddler and preschooler), and black lab.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I have always loved being creative and was constantly drawing or painting or collaging. I have lots of memories of being in the fabric store with my mom when I was little and being so bored. Then my first job at 15 was in the fabric department at Ben Franklin Crafts and I still had no interest in fabric or sewing. I don’t remember what changed, but in college my mom walked me through making my first quilt – a queen size quilt that we still use! A couple years later my parents bought me a sewing machine and I was hooked. I loved the whole process from picking a pattern to finding the fabrics to cutting and sewing. It was an amazing feeling to make a quilt pattern “mine” simply by choosing colors and fabrics that I loved.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns?How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
Becoming a mom at the end of 2019 was difficult timing to say the least. I was still figuring out how to be a mom when I suddenly had to work from home full time while also being a mom full time with no childcare. Quilting was my outlet to feel like “me” again. It was also during this time I discovered there was a whole world of quilters my age who were making and sharing beautiful quilts on Instagram. I felt like a light turned on when I realized I could design and sell my own designs. I worked on designing my first quilt pattern (the Big Sky Star) during that year and released the pattern in January 2021.
It is such an amazing feeling to design a quilt pattern, put the pattern into the world, then see how other people will interpret that pattern and make it their own. Most of my designs come from playing with different design elements in Illustrator. Sometimes inspiration hits at random times or when I’m laying in bed.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
Probably 50/50 Traditional and Modern. The Lone Star is my all time favorite so usually design quilts that are a modern interpretation or new variation of the Lone Star.
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 love using unexpected color combinations – like a pop of neon in a mostly neutral quilt or using multiple colors in the background which would typically be just 1 color. My favorite colors to use are blues or warm tones (reds, oranges, pinks, browns).
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
I have a handful of on-demand workshops and I also sell a small number of kits when I release a new pattern. Now I am starting my 2025 Block of the Month quilt called the Combo Star.
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?
My website: plainsandpine.com
Instagram: @plainsandpine
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlainsandPine
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plainsandpine/
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
In 2025 I am going to be focusing on using what I have and I hope to host a few live events related to that so stay tuned for more details.
I haven’t started working on my next pattern yet but my plan is to design some beginner friendly star patterns for people who might be intimidated to make a Lone Star quilt.
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 using QuiltInk for coloring my patterns and sharing those mock-ups with my followers. It is the perfect tool for making sure you are happy with your fabrics/colors before cutting. It is such a fun and powerful tool!