Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008 | By Linda Smoker | 0 Comments

QUILT#95 - Spotlight on Eleanor Burns

 

 

A true quilting whirlwind, Eleanor Burns’ 30 years of boundless energy transformed her first Log Cabin quilt class into a successful quilting company, Quilt in a Day. The company’s name comes from her timesaving techniques, from rotary cutting tricks to assembly-line piecing. Eleanor’s passion for teaching blossomed into more than 70 quilting books, her Quilt in a Day television series, and numerous instructors sharing her techniques, making her one of the most recognized faces in quilting. She recently reflected on her ongoing love for the art of quilting.

You’re most well known as an educator. What is the most fulfilling part about teaching?

Absolutely it’s being with the students. I love listening to what they’re saying to each other. I love it when a beginner’s eyes open up and she gets excited. I learn so much from all ages of people—students in their 80s and the young ones, too. I just taught my youngest student—my great niece Olivia, who is 4-1/2 years old. She wrapped a stuffed animal in the little quilt we made, and my nephew says it’s something she’ll remember the rest of her life.

Your sense of humor shows in everything you do, whether it’s wearing purple feather boas at quilt shows or naming one of your books Still Stripping After 25 Years.

I think it’s important to not be shy. I don’t know where I get the boldness from; maybe it’s from the following of people I have and the dedication they give me. I’m not a fuddy duddy. The costumes are good. They make people laugh, which is one of my goals too. It’s a gift that I have, honestly. Give me a littletime and I’ll think of an idea.

You recently designed Victory Garden, a new fabric collection for Benartex. What’s important to you when designing fabric?

I start with a large-scale floral print. From that one piece, I consider different scales and textures. I’m also known for floral stripes, which actually come from that original floral as well. 

What is your greatest accomplishment?

It’s really raising my children (Grant and Orion) through all this quilting business. To see them become successful, Grant at manufacturing his own skateboards, and Orion as the general manager of my company.

Where do you sew these days?

I love working with the Baby Lock machines. I have one in each of my four sewing rooms: on my television set, in my office, and in both my homes.

Do you have a favorite quilt pattern?

Definitely the log cabin, my first pattern. When I was struggling to survive and raise my two sons alone, it gave me a company name and a beginning. But in all honesty, each new book I’m working on is my favorite at the moment.

You’ve been called the “First Lady of Quilting.” Do you quilt in your free time too?

I never get tired of looking at, thinking about, making quilts. People ask what I do when I get home at night, and I tell them I quilt! I still have a pretty well-rounded life though. I actually cook and clean too—I’m just an all-around person.

Tags: Eleanor Burns, Spotlight on Designer