With a background in computer science, it’s no surprise that Sarah Vedeler’s first fabric collection, Transformation, has a solid base in mathematic concepts. However, Sarah’s more recent work history has an artistic bent, designing and digitizing embroidery designs. The influence of both these paths is evident in the Transformation prints, which has both the precise, proportioned feel of sacred geometry and the intricate, swirling details of her embroidery designs.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I used to be a software engineer, and I have a PhD in
computer science. I’m originally from England. I have two children and became a
single mom seven years ago. I needed to support myself, and I wanted to be able
to stay home with my kids, but also do something for a living that would
nourish me on a cellular level. I had made baby clothes for my daughters and
decided to design. I fell in love with embroidering on applique and started
teaching it at a couple local quilt shops. At Quilt Market in 2009, I met some people
from Bernina. They were looking for ways to get quilters interested in
embroidery. Then I started designing dies for Accu-Quilt as well. It all just
went from there!
Tell us about your first fabric line, Transformation.
It’s based on the concept of sacred geometry—patterns and
cycles in nature that repeat themselves and have certain mathematical
constants. The fabrics include the infinity symbol and the flower of life, as
well as many circle shapes (the circle is the cornerstone of sacred geometry).
How did you choose your color palette?
I went to the Sherwin Williams paint store and came home
with a full range of their paint swatches. They must have thought I was crazy!
I also grabbed the quarterly newsletter featuring color trends for professional
painters, which was featuring bright, festive color schemes, inspired by the
upcoming Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tell us about some of
your fabrics.
My favorite would have to be the turquoise and green flower
of life. Then there’s also the orange and pink one. I love them all, but those
two I am particularly in love with.
And the infinity fabrics—I usually use solid fabrics for
applique, because the embroidery creates the design. But I started playing with
fussy cutting this print. There are so many fun projects you can create with
the circles and the diamonds!
I call the stripe “Aliens with Shades.” It’s a stripe, but
when you look at it sideways, it looks like aliens—a football shape with two
eyes inside.
How does this fabric line work with your embroidery patterns?
I am in love with what happens with the fabric when you
fussy cut it. When I embroider, I usually use the fabric as a backdrop (and
stitch designs on top). With these prints, fussy-cut fabric appliques don’t
need anything more than a simple outline. So my embroidery comes with two
options—a simple outline embroidery for using with the fabric, and then another
version for using solid fabric and adding more stitching to it.
Click here to find Sarah's two free Transformation quilt patterns.
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