Wednesday 27 June 2012

Interview with Lu Summers by @scissorsandthread

At the recent Fat Quarterly Community Retreat in London I took a class 
with Lu Summers, designer of the new Summersville range for Moda which 
launched this April. I took the opportunity to ask her some questions . . .* 


Lu Summers
Photo by Scissorsandthread



*How did you get started? Do you have a design background?* 


In a previous life I studied at Norwich School of Art & Design specialising 
in print making, ran a patchwork and quilting shop with my Mum for 5 years, 
had 2 children, opened an Etsy store where I sold paper collages and later 
screen printed fabric before designing for Moda. 


*Do you have a favourite print from the line?* 


Fall in red and Scandi in red 


*What do you think your line Summersville looks great in or with?* 


Obviously it looks great in quilts but it has been brilliant at retreat 
seeing it in different things such as a rucksack and baby trousers. It 
looks great paired with solids but I think people should mix it up a bit 
and try it with different solids than the main prints such as bright 
orange, dark teal and charcoal grey. 


photo by Lu Summers



*What sort of things do you make?* 


I make quilts but for walls not beds but I would never describe them as art 
quilts 


*What is your favourite thing that you have made?* 


My big improv quilt. I have taught this style as a class a few times now 
and made some mini improv quilts too. 


*You are teaching your Portholes technique here at retreat which won Best 
Group Quilt at Festival of Quilts 2010. It's has a really unique look – how 
did you come up with the design?* 



My Mum told me about it over the phone, I said it would never work so I 
tried it and it did. I did circles and have also made quilts usually 
flowers and stars with the same technique. 


photo by Lu Summers
photo by Scissorsandthread







*Do you have a sewing or quilting tip?* 


Use your iron more! 


*Summersville features some great graphic prints – where do you get your 
inspiration from?* 


Living in the countryside but I also have a fascination with industrial 
estates and urban areas 



*Is that something we are going to see more of? When are we going to see 
more of you?* 


I have designed my second line for Moda which is at the Mill at the moment 
and I am waiting for samples. It launches in April 2013. 


*Now for some quick fire questions!* 


*Favourite colour? *Red 

*Fabourite food? *Sausages 

*Summer or winter? *Summer 

*Favourite tv show? *Mad Men 

*Marmite – love it or hate it? *I like it but I don't love it! 

*Favourite film? *The gangster one with Tom Hanks (we think she means Road 
to Perdition) 

*Favourite band: *Maroon 5 

*Chocolate or crisps? *Chocolate 








Photos by Lu Summers @flickr


Check out Lu's blog http://blu-shed.blogspot.co.uk/


A big thank you to @scissorsandthread for the interview and to Lu Summers for taking part. You can find out more about scissorsandthread on her blog http://scissorsandthread.blogspot.com


*Summersville is available in both Millie Moon shops in layer cakes, jelly rolls, charm 
packs and in yardage and on the website www.milliemoonshop.co.uk * 




1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Fab interview! Now I just need to decide what to make with the yardage of Summersville that I have in my stash. :)