About Linda
Linda Seward is an experienced quilter, writer, lecturer, and quilt judge.
Linda’s been doing needlework ever since she learned to hold a needle. She was taught to embroider by her mother and to knit and crochet by her grandmothers. She began to sew her own clothes at the age of 10, but didn’t begin making quilts until she was in her 20s.
Linda attended Livingston College (Rutgers University) where she earned an Anthropology Degree, then switched to Douglas College where she received a Home Economics degree in clothing, textiles, and design. She studied fashion in New York City at Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers before working as a needlework and crafts editor in both America and England. She taught herself the basics of quilting while working as an editor for McCall’s Needlework & Crafts Magazine in New York City. After that, although she edited dozens of books on all types of needlework and crafts for Dover Publications in New York, Linda always felt that she would rather be quilting.
Linda has written twelve books about her favourite subject, quilting, including The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting and Appliqué , which has been used as a source book for the British City & Guilds Patchwork & Quilting course and has sold over a quarter of a million copies in several languages. It has recently been updated and reprinted by Search Press. Linda’s latest book, entitled The Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting, is published by Sixth&Spring, New York. She has also published books on puppies, babies, crochet, knitting, and general crafts (under her maiden name, Linda Macho).
Linda has appeared on television and radio shows, and has judged numerous quilt shows around the world. She had a regular column in The Quilter magazine for 20 years, and works now as a freelance writer and photographer as well as being a quilter, of course!
Linda found a new obsession in lockdown during her daily walks: nature photography. According to Linda, “I realised that I didn’t know much about the natural world and resolved to teach myself as much as I could through photography and research. This lockdown project turned into a new obsession as I continue to learn about all aspects of nature from plants, lichens insects, birds and animals to fungi and even slime moulds.”
Linda lives in London and Oxfordshire with her husband and two Border Terriers.
Signature Technique
Art Quilting
Top Tips
- One of the best ways to expose yourself to new techniques is to take a workshop with an expert.
- Add aloe vera gel to heighten the colour of inktense pencils.
- Use confetti fabric and glue granules to get a wonderful confetti applique effect.
- Add a little sparkle to your project with printer foil (make sure that you iron colour side up!).
- Use a silicone pressing sheet to keep your iron clear.
- Give the viewer a gentle surprise by adding soft sculpture faces in your quilt.
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Festival of Quilts 2013
As usual this was a fantastic event and most of our contributors were there; Jennie was busy with her own stand and Val was helping out on the Creative Quilting stand. It didn’t leave much time for wandering around to either see the quilts OR get new product but Val wasn’t to be outdone on her shopping and you need to keep an eye on the ‘shop’ for the new bits; in brief here are the highlights: Jennie has a new DVD out –Texture in Sudoku Mary Gamester has a new book – Transfer Painting Hilary Beattie has a new book – Make it Personal Janet Clare has a new book – A Field Guide – available through the shop Jane Rollason has a new book – Fun, Fast & Furious – quick & easy applique panels New patterns from Daisy Chain include: Just Peachy by Lee Brown New patterns from The Stitch Witch include new Dog House needlebox and a new hanging system for your small projects.
Downton Abbey fabric from Makower
Well for once Twitter has come up trumps; just learnt about new range from Makower Andover Fabrics is delighted to announce that the first exclusive collection of licensed fabrics for Downton Abbey ® will be available to you this September. Playing on the strength of the upstairs women of Downton, this exciting premiere collection will be THE WOMEN’S COLLECTION, featuring designs chosen in collaboration with the award-winning Downton Abbey production team.
You need to defluff your machine regularly!
Superior Threads in America have a Dr of Threadology - Dr.Bob; if you go to their website https://www.superiorthreads.com it is full of wonderful information and here is a true and salutory story from their June 2013 newsletter: Lint is defined as an accumulation of fluffy fibers. We have lint in clothes dryers, clothing, and unfortunately, our sewing machines.