Interview with Quilter and Surface Pattern Designer - Becket Martinell of SewIndigo

I wanted to post this interview I did back in October 2017 with Quilter and Surface Pattern Designer, Becket Martinell.
I found one of her textile designs very interesting because it came from a difficult quilting style. Enjoy the interview!

For this week's blog, I had the privilege of interviewing Quilter and Surface Pattern Designer, Becket Martinell of SEWINDIGO

Tessa: Hi Becket. Thank you for taking your time out to be interviewed for the blog. I am really interested in your work as a quilter and surface pattern designer.

When I saw your design entry for Printed Village's INDIGO FADE October competition, I was like 'WHOA! Wait a minute! I've come across something in quilting that I have never seen before.' Your design was so intricate and different... and it was in a quilt! I think that's what grabbed me, and I know it is grabbing the attention of many that have seen it. A pattern so intricate and non-traditional as yours...it looks so advanced and sort of futuristic.

In this interview, I want to start here with this detailed design you've created, then back up to how you got started in quilting and surface pattern design. So,here we go...

Tessa: This design for Printed Village's Indigo Fade competition, what was the inspiration for this design? How did this ideal come about? Take your time to answer this because interested minds, like my own, want to know!

Becket Martinell: This design started out as a border design I had done on a customer's quilt while living in Germany. I have always wanted to combined thread work in quilting and fabric design but never really knew how to approach it.
When Printed Village announced their Indigo Fade challenge...I was very excited! Indigo just happens to be my favorite color, and I instantly thought of working thread work into this challenge.

This design, as stated above, was of a design from a quilted border. I then mirrored the design to give it a kind of "whole cloth' effect.
I am planning on experimenting with other color options and multiple color combinations as well.

Tessa: What was the technical process for creating this design for Indigo Fade? It's so intricate and detailed.

Becket Martinell: I always begin a quilt by doodling and drawing out the design on paper to get a feel of how it is going to look on the quilt. It's much easier to make a mistake on paper then a quilt! I am not a fan of seam ripping (smiles).
I normally use an invisible ink marking pen or a chalk pen to draw my designs on the quilt. It is very important to test all marking tools beforehand to make sure the marks won't be left behind on your work!!! Not all fabric is created equal and it can be devastating after all your hard work.

After I am satisfied with the drawn layout on the quilt, I basically trace my marked lines with thread using my Gammill Optimum longarm quilting machine, then, remove all of the marked lines with a damp lint free towel.

Tessa: Do you have a favorite style of quilting that you enjoy creating in?

Becket Martinell: In this particular design, the customer had used 100% pre-washed cotton fabric. I prefer to use 100% cotton fabric on all of my quilts because I love the look, feel and durability of cotton. Cotton thread was used on this quilt because I prefer using cotton on cotton because they get along so well (smiles).

Tessa: From viewing the intricate design and stitching work of your quilt for Indigo Fade Competition, it is obvious that you've been quilting for years. Do you sell any of your quilts or do you just do quilting as an art?

Becket Martinell: I mainly quilt for others because it is very time consuming and costly to sell quilts and get the proper amount of money for them. I have sold quilts on Ebay, but mainly for downsizing purposes.

Tessa: How did you get started in quilting?

Becket Martinell: My Grandparents, Maude and Lee Vasey, together made my very first quilt when I was three years old..each one of my siblings received one.
My Grandma would cut and piece the quilt top and in the evenings my Grandparents would hand stitch the quilts ...I wish I had a picture of this.

When our first child was born, I decided he (Nicholas), needed a quilt! I made him a sailboat quilt in blues and creams...it turned out halfway decent, so I've been quilting ever since. When our second child (Rachel) was born, I bought my Longarm quilting machine. I was growing tired of cramming quilts under my Bernina and trying to quilt them in such a small quilting space, and I also wanted to work from home.

Tessa: You mentioned that you were living in Germany at one time. Did the culture have an inspirational impact on your quilting? In what way?

Becket Martinell: I would say it has influenced my quilting style. Before I was designing and quilting more traditional style quilts and now, I only make Modern style quilts. In Germany, they are very minimalistic and have a modern flair to their homes, style of dress and in their every day life.

Tessa: And as a quilter, how did you end up over into surface pattern design? I think it's a great combination... quilter and surface pattern designer. How did this migration happen? (smiles)

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Becket Martinell: I've wanted to design fabric ever since I had started quilting. Back then their wasn't many options for this. I did experiment with the inkjet printing on fabric technique, but wanted more than paper size pieces of fabric.

While living in Germany, Spoonflower had opened up shop online. I was thrilled, but not set up at that point to design or order fabric. As soon as we had returned to the states and finished building our house, I bought my first drawing tablet and Sketchbook Pro 7 software. Spoonflower had just announce their Moda Design Challenge...the due date was the same day I had received my tablet and software. So, I basically had two hours to load and learn how to use my new purchase to enter this challenge. What a learning experience..the design was horrific! From that moment on three years ago, I have been drawing almost every day, and also improving greatly from that very first design (smiles).

Tessa: What is it about surface pattern design that drew you into its arena?

Becket Martinell: I am a lover of fabric and have a quilt studio packed full of fabric to prove it! It really started out as a challenge to see if I could really do this and has now turned into my passion.

Tessa: You mentioned to me earlier about how you found yourself drawing more than quilting. Why do you think that is?

Becket Martinell: I haven't lost my love for quilting, but added something that can enhance my quilting..the more you draw, the more you can translate that to your quilting. I guess I still have so much to learn about design, and after twenty years of quilting...its a refreshing change.

Tessa: There may be people reading the article who are interested in your quilts and designs. Where can they purchase your quilts, quilting services, and surface pattern design products and services?

Becket Martinell: At this time, I am just quilting for a small group of customers aka 'friends and family', mainly focusing on textile design. I do have a Spoonflower shop where you can check out my designs. You can check my designs out at: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/sewindigo

Tessa: Finally, what would be your advice to those wanting to start in quilting? And what advice would you give to those wanting to start in surface pattern design?

Becket Martinell: My main advice for a newbie quilter is... always start with a small project and work your way up from there. Many have been discouraged by taking on a massive quilt and giving up out of frustration.

For getting into surface design, I would say draw, draw, and draw some more. I always carry my load with me to doodle on wherever I go...except for the dentist. They frown on that. Can you believe it? Research different tablets/software online and read reviews, they can be very helpful...and then go for it! And once you feel comfortable with your designs, load some to Spoonflower and order a few samples of your designs. It can be like Christmas when they arrive in the mail (smiles). Very exciting!

Tessa: Becket, thank you again for sharing your time and insights. I am looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful work in the near future.

Again, you can see Becket's designs at:
https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/sewindigo