Quilted by Design: Jason Yenter

What inspires your fabric collections and quilt designs?

I get inspiration for my designs from all over the place - walking through stores, looking through magazines, nature, traveling to other parts of the world - my eyes are always open! I think interesting color combinations inspire me the most, and textures that I think I might be able to replicate on fabric. 

 

What’s your favorite part of the creative process—from idea to finished piece?

I think my favorite part of my creative process is creating the border print in a collection. Almost all of my collections have border prints, and it is usually where I start when putting a new group together. Once the border print is finished it seems like all of the other prints just magically come together. 

 

Are there any tools, techniques, or rituals you always keep close by in your studio?

I do all of my designing in Photoshop - so that is my favorite tool. I also tend to always have music playing while I design - usually contemporary classical - think Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman - sometimes a Broadway show. Also - once a collection is 75% done, I always try to design a quilt with it - to see what needs to change or be added to make the fabrics as usable as possible.

 

How do you hope quilters feel when they work with your patterns or fabrics?

I always want quilters to feel inspired to create their own vision - something that makes them happy. Even when people are making a quilt I designed, I hope they deviate a bit and put their own stamp on it. I love to see all the different ways my quilt designs are quilted - quilting can really change the overall look of a quilt!

 

If you had to describe your design aesthetic in just three words, what would they be?

• Rich
• Textured
• Layered