Wednesday 1 September 2010

.September Cool Shops! KATE CONKLIN DESIGNS.

(Cool Shops! note...I didn't want to completely say goodbye to my August Cool Shops! so have made a special Cool Shops! archive page (see the link under my header) for you to visit and will be updating each month with new Cool Shops!)

Cool Shop! #1 for September (yep, September ALREADY!) is Kate Conklin Designs.


Kate is a wife, mother of two, speech pathologist and avid quilter who has recently begun not only designing her own quilt patterns, but also writing and selling her patterns! Kate posted me a complete set of her patterns to review and I only wish I had 100 more hours in my week so that I could have actually sewed one of her gorgeous quilts myself! Instead, I have been plonking myself on the couch and taking each of the patterns out of their bags and dreaming about future quilt making expeditions!!!


I must say, I am feeling very inspired and after finishing my last quilt quite a few months ago I am wanting to dive into another now! Kate shares some great tips and techniques that make quilt sewing easy and fun and her patterns include detailed, step-by-step instructions complete with lots of photographs and diagrams.

I love Kate's fabric choice and started reading her blog around the same time her Wonky Donkey Quilt was released. First of all - who doesn't love Laurie Wisburn's amazing fabric? But then to make an amazing wonky quilt out of it and photograph it on a real life donkey?!! That is awesome Kate!


The calming tones in Kate's latest design, Sea Views are just beautiful. I have had a good read through this pattern and am intrigued at the way she cuts the curves using a freehand method and pieces them without using pins...I think this describes my kind of sewing, leaving lots of room to express yourself and do things your own way.



Kate Conklin Designs patterns are available on her website as a PDF download and can also be purchased at well-known fabric stores in Australia and around the rest of the world.

GIVEAWAY
As part of her Cool Shops! review, Kate has generously offered to host a giveaway to readers of my blog. One lucky person will win two patterns (of your choice) from her shop, as well as two pieces of coveted Heather Ross fabric as shown below! (Will someone please enter for me?!) The bicycle fabric is half a metre (20") and the mushrooms is a 5" x 18" strip. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment!


Giveaway will close on Wednesday 8th September and winner will be drawn randomly. Your comment will be disqualified if you do not leave an email address in your comment or linked to your profile.

138 comments:

Melissa said...

I like the Sea Views quilt.

Amber H. said...

I've had my eye on her patterns for quite sometime.. I may have to indulge myself and purchase them! And I love the Heather Ross fabric.. she's such a talented designer.. in fact, both ladies are!

Ange Moore said...

Oh I love Kate's quilts. And you've got to love a donkey quilt photographed with a donkey (and we've been listening to The Wonky Donkey - by Craig Smith a lot in our house lately so even better)! Thanks for the giveaway!

Anna said...

nice donkey! that's so cool.

Anonymous said...

I love the wonky donkey pattern...I love the Sea View pattern...oh heck, I love them all.

Anonymous said...

I have just moved into our brand new house and been looking for a new quilt to make my bedroom come alive - these quilts are fantastic and I will be visiting the store to see what I can make.

Emily said...

Gorgeous! I really like the sea quilt also.

Jan said...

Awesome give away. I really love the Dandelion Windows pattern.

Sara said...

I am in love with Sierra's Forest by Kate. She seems like such a great person to get to know! Hope I can win some of that absolutely adorable bicycle fabric too;)

Amy said...

I love these quilts! I have a hard time producing the pattern in my head the way I want it to look, so patterns make it so much better.

Tong said...

LOVE Kate's quilts, absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaway!

Sarah Craig said...

I absolutely love Kate's quilts - and her blog is always fun!! I think the sea quilt is my favorite....

Paige said...

Oh, oh, oh! I'm so in love with sea views!

Jorie said...

I started following her blog around the same time! I love her Wonky Donkey Quilt!

DianeY said...

Love all of Kate's quilts-it would be a tough choice but one I'd make gladly

Anonymous said...

I really like Kate's quilts... they are definitely my style. I'd love to use one of her patterns and love the chance to win some Heather Ross prints!

wilke [at] lulubloom [dot] com

Angelina S. said...

I love that Sea Views quilt. So beautiful!

Thanks for the chance to win. I'll be crossing my fingers for the next few days!

Angelina

figure8angel[AT]gmail[DOT]com

Jen T said...

I love her patterns and would LOVE to win one!

Jen T said...

I love her patterns and would LOVE to win one!

Bellgirl said...

I really love Kate's patterns, and of the fabrics she chooses for them. I think Sea Views is my favorite, but it's hard to choose. BTW I recently bought your Shearwater shirt pattern, I'm making it for summer!

Amy said...

Beautiful quilts! And I am partial to donkeys. :-)

Jessie Keating said...

Oh my goodness, how generous!!! This is awesome!!!

Nova said...

oooo I love Kates work! Definitely worthy of a Cool Shops! review :)
x

Jill said...

Beautiful patterns and fabric!

sharon said...

Fabulous give away! I love those patterns! They are so fresh and creative, thank you so much for the chance to win some! Sharonj

angelina said...

rockin donkey.
we love ya kate. xx

Kristy said...

I love the sea views quilt, which is the quilt that introduced me to Kate, and then I went looking at the others....and I love them to!

Most surely a Cool Shop!

ktquilts said...

Love Kate Conklin, in fact working on one of her patterns now!!!! And I have not any Heather Ross, so surely I must need some!

Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous patterns and fabric from two lovely ladies. What a great giveaway!

Emma Fitzsimmons said...

Oh how I would love to attempt one of these beauties with my new sewing machine!!!

Saffron Craig fabrics said...

I too am a big fan of Kate Conklin's designs. Her quilts are modern and fun to make. Great blog post Toni. Thanks.

Megan said...

I LOVE Kates designs but haven't yet tried out her patterns. I think Sea Views is on my to do list first!

scottylover said...

beautiful patterns and even more beautiful fabric! Thanks for the chance to win!

Sandy A

Nina said...

The patterns are really lovely. And that fabric, well...

ledamewood said...

cool giveaway - love the fabrics and the pattterns

Julie said...

Thanks for a great give away!

Sally said...

I would love to win even just one of Kate's patterns....but it would be hard to choose which one :-) Of course, I am starting graduate school classes tomorrow night in addition to working full-time, so I'm not sure how much time I will have for quilting :-/

Lynette said...

Fantastic! another blog to add to my ever growing list of faves, and a chance to win some very cool patterns..love it!

Rebecca said...

Oh, I'd love to get my hands on those fabric goodies! THANKS for the chance!
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jess said...

Comment!

Can't believe its September either!

Holly said...

Oh, her patterns are beautiful! I would love a chance to try one! Thanks for the chance to enter! =)

Caitlin - craftycrackpot said...

Oh I love to make quilts and that fabric is gorgeous!!! Please enter me!

Katie B said...

I just finished a quilt using Kate's Charm Bracelets pattern, and it was fantastic!

GreenStyleMom said...

I'm just dying to try one of Kate's patterns and get my hands on that fabric!

Erica said...

I would love to win this. I love her quilt patterns, and I would love to win the HR fabric.

emallett@nc.rr.com

Kelli said...

What an awesome giveaway!
I love Kates patterns! I have "chain reaction" on my to do list!

alliestich said...

i've been dreaming of making a wonky donkey quilt for my tomboy neice for a while now - she is in love with donkeys at the moment - so it would be totally perfect for her.
i love reading both yours and her blog - very inspiring
allie
majeppes@bigpond.net.au

Mary said...

What a fantastic giveaway! I love Kate's patterns and would LOVE to add to my Heather Ross collection too! :-)

Bec said...

Just came over from Kate's blog, wow, what a generous give away! I love all her patterns but the forest one is simply stunning. Fingers crossed and thanks!

MoeWest said...

It would be great to win one of Kate's patterns.

Martina said...

I love these patterns. So fresh and modern and still sweet!Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

Must have the Sea Views Quilt. Living by the ocean I am always drawn to ocean related things. Thanks for introducing me to Kate's work. I'm off to check her patterns out now and thanks to Kate for a generous giveaway.

psmanning@hotmail.com

Linda said...

My goodness! You have the best giveaways :)

(ljs742 at yahoo dot com)

fiatcat said...

Gorgeous quilt and I love the bicycle and mushroom fabric !! So sweet ! Thanks for the giveaway !

Anonymous said...

I've made a few of Kate's quilts now and I just love them.
Kate is not only an awesome quilt designer but also a wonderful person and an awesome sister.
:) Amelia

junglemama said...

these are beautiful

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I love the patterns and that fabric is delish!

Unknown said...

The donkey quilt is fantastic! I am looking for simple quilt patterns for my next quilt, this is great!

Mama24Monkeys said...

Oh I love her patterns and who doesn't love Heather Ross fabrics? (well I am sure there might be one person but it sure isn't me!)

Rose said...

I must say I love her patterns. They are so fresh yet tranquil. I love the donkey as a prop lol.

Clares Place said...

Please enter me Toni! Her work is great! :)

Danielle said...

Yay! What a great giveaway! Love Kate's quilts - I think my favourite is the charm bracelet one. And the Heather Ross fabric is of course beautiful!

Leah said...

Those are great patterns! And lovely fabric!

Green Mama said...

how incredibly gorgeous!

Tara said...

Thanks you for holding this give away :) Great things up for grabs!

Jane said...

Kate's creativity and energy is really admirable, thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I love Kate's quilts, I've already bought some fabric to do the Sea Views quilt and I will be very happy to win the pattern. And what to say about Heather Ross fabrics, just gorgeous!

moira said...

I love Kate's designs and your right about the colour choices.

Lexie said...

Gorgeous! I haven't tried a full size quilt before so this might be a good chance to get into it. I love the wavy sea one.

Jenny said...

I think all of Kate's work is truely fantastic. thanks for a chance

The Kings said...

oh boy - I'm so out of it with the whole sewing/quilting thing. 70 comments over quilts! Amazing how these things bring people out :)

EG said...

Ugh, the bicycle fabric is too much! Love it!

ellengraf(at)gmail(dot)com

Sharon said...

I just finished the dandelion window quilt. I love all Kate's patterns. Thanks for a great giveaway. SChalle171@aol.com

Kirsten said...

I read Kates blog and wow what a giveaway!

Erin said...

I love Kate's quilts. She manages to create patterns that are not only beautiful, but catch the feeling of the fabrics she uses. Thanks for the chance to win one of her patterns! Maybe I'll make one instead of just admiring them online!

Cass said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous quilts! And I love the donkey photo! :)

jenj said...

I love all of Kate's patterns -- they are so contemporary and really suit a lot of my favourite modern fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway!

babiesdoc said...

I like the wonkey donkey
the quilt and the donkey.
Please enter me
thank you

Suzanne said...

I've been looking at her patterns for a while and would love to try one out. The fabric is so cute too!

Lindsay said...

I love love love Kate's designs. I have been following her for a while now and having one of her patterns would be amazing. Heather Ross is awesome too ;), Ive been dying for some mushrooms.

Lindsay.forgette(at)gmail(dot)com

The Hungry Crafter said...

Love Kate Conklin! I've been following her for about the same time as you, and would LOVE to get my hands on her patterns! Thanks for hosting :)

Mitzi said...

I just love all Kate's patterns. Great giveaway. Thank you.

Nancy said...

I LOVE the Sea Views quilt. I've been admiring it for quite some time now wishing that I had it. If I won, I suppose I could make it! Thanks for the great giveaway.
spackattak7 at hotmail dot com

pinksuedeshoe said...

I love that Donkey Picture. AwEsome! Also, little mushrooms? adorable.

Lauren said...

I love the sea views quilt!

Di~ said...

Thank you for the chance to win! Kate is producing some great things. My daughter has already been coveting her patterns.

Michelle S said...

These quilts are so beautiful! I think the Sea views quilt is my very favorite! Great talent!
skaletm@gmail.com

Amy @ isewstitch said...

I recently discovered Kate's designs and blog in my now avid research of all things sewing (if only like you I had a few extra hours to fit in it - I could stop sleeping I suppose...). But I having been lusting after the patterns and to win some, and therefore make, would mean the sleep deprivation would at least be very worthwhile! x

marisa said...

Kate Conklin and Heather Ross, what a great pairing! I especially love Kate's brilliant quilt staging :)

MaddyMazeStudio said...

The Sea Views quilt is just lovely. Love the donkey one too!

sy said...

i love the Wonky Donkey Quilt, it's so cute.
songyueyu at gmail

Rafael's Mum said...

You take care of yourself Kate! I love your patterns btw, especially the one with a lot of white and the big squares (sorry, don't know what it's called). Thanks for a chance to win.

Karina said...

Wow these patterns are amazing. I have been looking out for a pattern to make a quilt for sometime now. One of these would be just perfect

Alex said...

Wonky Donkey on a donkey made me laugh SO MUCH!! *sigh* those quilts are so beautiful!!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Birral said...

I have just discovered Kate Conklin and love her designs...hope I win!!

Val Miller said...

Gorgeous! I love Kate's patterns. I have only tried one so far, but I can't wait to do another :)

sewtara said...

Oh I love the Sea Views!!
And that bike pattern is super fun.

Thanks for the giveaway

Nichole said...

Love Kate's patterns. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Lisa said...

So many beautiful quilt patterns and so little time.

Jeni Baker said...

Love her quilts!

mjb said...

She has great designs!

Danielle said...

Charm bracelets or Sea views would be my style... although it's hard to choose. They are all so lovely!

Lissa said...

LOVE the patterns and the bike fabric!

Jayne said...

I already have one of Kate's quilt patterns but would love some more!

schmidt1016 said...

I have been itching to get her Charm Bracelet pattern. All of her patterns look like they would be fun to make. And that wonky donkey quilt---what a hoot!
Leslie S. in MN
esclante[at]comcast[dot]net

Virginia said...

what an awesome giveaway!

Angela said...

I have just moved into our brand new house and been looking for a new quilt to make my bedroom come alive - these quilts are fantastic and I will be visiting the store to see what I can make.

Sorry for previously not leaving email - email is ang82r@gmail.com

Vanessa R said...

Great patterns - I do love the Sea Views quilt.
rvroberts@optusnet.com.au

sang said...

The sea views is really lovely, also the Heather Ross fabrics are awesome. sang(at)gci(dot)net

Jeannette said...

Love Kate's designs & HR fabric, thanks for the giveaway!
jgflack@gmail.com

carmel said...

love her patterns and the fabric
thanks so much!!!

Elizabeth D. said...

I love Kate's designs, especially the donkey quilt, that's my favorite. What a great giveaway!

Kathleen C said...

Kate's patterns are my style, casual and wonky. The freehand curves sound like a great technique. The fun fabrics could be focal points in any of Kate's quilts, too.

laura said...

Love kate's quilts. Thanks for the giveaway!

sntbosch said...

what a delightful giveaway!
sntbosch@msn.com

Linda said...

I LOVE Kate's quilts! And I LOVE her blog too! Awesome giveaway!

lindalu83@yahoo.com

Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHY said...

Love the sea view quilt!! I could definatly use a pattern. Bought fabric to start a quilt for my daughter. But have quilters stage fright and don't know where to start.

WandaFish said...

What a fabulous giveaway from two of my favourite inspiring designers and bloggers!

Rachel said...

Wow, I love Kate Conklin's quilt designs, and am very intrigued by the sea views quilt. Gorgeous.

Marcia W. said...

All of Kate's quilts are beautiful. Charm Bracelets and Wonky Donkey are favorites but so is Sea View and Sierra's Forest. mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

sew happy Stacy said...

Ohhh, those mushrooms are too cute!!! And two whole patterns, excellent!

Maggie said...

Love Kate's patterns! I bought the "Sierra's Forest" pattern and I can't wait to try it out! If I win, I'm definitely going for the Sea Views quilt pattern. :)

Poppyprint said...

oooh, I'd love to win those bicycles!! I have already been a v. lucky recipient of 2 of Kate's patterns, so I'd throw those back for someone else to enjoy and run away with the bike and mushrooms myself!

AMessWorthMaking said...

I love her patterns so much!

Unknown said...

I have never made a quilt! This would be great!

Kel said...

I love these modern style quilts. Gorgeous!

IndigoElephant :: Sash said...

I love reading Kate's blog and her quilts make me drool!

Beth said...

I am a huge fan of Kate Conklin and her wonderful designs. I would love to win a pattern, as I am constantly trying to resist the temptation to hop over to her shop and buy another.

wordygirl at earthlink d0t net

sara said...

oh i want to win this so badly. i love her designs and that fabric is to die for! great inspiration!

Patty said...

I love Kate's patterns. I saw Charm Bracelett made with Arcadia fabric and fell in love with it. Only problem is that there is no more Arcadia to be found.

Diane said...

I would love to win - I have the Sea Views pattern and made it i the Hunky Dory fabric. So cute.

KylieC said...

I love the styling with the donkey - good of him to stand still! I also really like the sea views quilt and have bought some of those fabrics - inspired by this quilt!

picklesticks said...

Nice quilts and cute fabric!

Joy said...

I love Kate's designs...thanks for the chance to win some!

Bec Clarke said...

Oh I love her designs, I have a one of her patterns

Lee said...

The sew views quilt is beautiful.
I love the heather ross fabric too - thanks for the giveaway
colleen
butler83ataoldotcom

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Best. Giveaway. EVER. And I LOVE the Sea Views quilt!!!

Shelby said...

new to sewing, love your blog and kate's designs!

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