Glorious Autumn Block Party - Jackie Kunkel and the Fat Quarter Shop

Hi everyone! Welcome to Block 16 of our Glorious Autumn Block Party. Today we have Jackie Kunkel as our featured designer and the Fat Quarter Shop has a fabulous Super Deal. Be sure to check out Jackie’s give-away too!

Visit the Block Party Headquarters for more info and upload your completed blocks to the Flickr group.

Super Deal from the Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly. An avid quilter, Kimberly began her shop as a side business while still working a corporate position, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer. As the Fat Quarter Shop’s reputation grew, Kimberly decided to make it a full-time operation. Her husband Kevin joined her not long after, and with his help, lots of hard work, and a tireless commitment, the store began to grow. Over the past few years a few more people have joined the staff!

As a team, we continue to branch out with the best fabrics, exclusive kits, quilt clubs, BOMs, and more. And we will always be driven by the passion that Kimberly founded the store upon, which is always giving you the best products and service.

Today’s Super Deal:

50% off all Halloween Fabric – over 250 fabrics! Use coupon code: ghost. Ends Tuesday 9/16 at midnight CST!

Get your Super Deal Savings here!

Featured Designer: Jackie Kunkel

How did you get into quilting?

I blame it on my hubby and that is a good thing! I actually have been sewing since I was in 6th grade in Home Economics. I have always done garments. Then when I was pregnant with our first child, my husband suggested I get a hobby since I would be staying home with our children and I might become bored… LOL! So in 1993, about 19 years ago, I took my first “official” quilt class. My verdict was that I didn’t like it. The teacher wanted us to use scissors and cut templates from cardboard. I thought there was a quicker way, but she wouldn’t show us.

Needless to say, this class project never was completed. But I pressed on and found another quilting class where we used a rotary cutter and ruler… I was hooked then!! I made a Quilt in A Day Star Log Cabin. I no longer have this quilt as I gave it away as a gift. But technically my very first quilt project was from Home Economics. I still have my first patchwork pillow and it is in pretty good condition too!

How/when/why did you transition from a quilter to a designer?

About 3 years ago, I consciously decided to push the envelope, I knew I could do it after quilting for so many years. I approached Quilt Magazine at Quilt Market and began submitting designs. They liked my designs and I have been designing and publishing every since. I enjoy it too!

Which quilt is your favourite? Did you design it? Why is it your favourite?

I think my current favorite design is my Island Breeze quilt. I like this one for several reasons. I designed it, I love batiks and the colors I chose, and the fact that it landed on the cover of Quilt Magazine this summer! Wahoo!!

How many UFOs do you currently have? Don’t ask… not too sure I can count that high.

What size of quilt do you prefer to make/design? (e.g. table runners, lap quilts, bed quilts, etc.) Well… I usually do big. So mostly double size or higher. Not sure why, I like it that way, I just do.

What colour do you use most often in your quilts? Pink… If I can find a way to put it in there I will. And not just any pink… hot pink or fuchsia.

Favourite one-sentence tip for a new quilter: Never stop taking classes, if you learn at least one new thing the class was totally worth taking.

Favourite size and brand of rotary cutter: 60 mm Olfa ergonomic.

Favourite quote or mantra: If you love what you do, you will never work another day in
your life.

Block Party #16 – Candy Corn

Here’s Jackie’s block: Candy Corn. She’s included a great photo tutorial on her blog for putting together this block and making a couple of cute place mats. View the tutorial here!