Sue Spargo Folk-Art Quilts Quilt Patterns

(29 products)

Southern Africa had a considerable influence on my life and creativity. I was born in Zambia and then educated in South Africa where I also trained to be a nurse. I soon moved to England; this shift between two very different environments and cultures inspired many of my designs. The stark contrasts between the arid beige and browns of the African bushveld and the lush greens of the rolling hills of Southern England have continued to be a rich source of ideas. I am influenced especially by the energy and color of traditional African designs. All of these early experiences combined to stir my love of “primitive” arts and crafts and grew into my focus on contemporary folk-art. Throughout my life, the United States beckoned and in 1989 that dream was fulfilled and I moved to Connecticut and subsequently to Tennessee, Utah and Ohio. Each new State presented sharp contrasts and stirred new ideas. With each move I met many new and wonderful quilt enthusiasts and through them added abundantly to my knowledge and creativity. Quilt makers are special people and I thank them for their warmth and companionship. I now focus on three related areas:

Design - Apart from early influences and travel, my designs are developed interactively with two circles of local quilt enthusiasts. I create the initial design and then challenge my students to choose their own medium and to adapt and develop the design. The resulting quilts are truly their own. I work with my son Jason to create ranges of hand-dyed wool, wool-plaids, velvets and silks. These fabrics are designed specifically for quilters and offer new and different choices. I have my own range of threads: Eleganza Perle cotton (available in weight 8, 5 and 3), Razzle and Dazzle along with Dala Perle cotton, which is hand-dyed by my daughter Kelly. I have again recently collaborated with Wonderfil to create my ideal wool and cotton hand appliqué threads; Ellana for wool appliqué, and Efina for cotton appliqué.

Workshops, Retreats & Lectures - My greatest satisfaction comes from running workshops and retreats based on my designs. I have been asked to lead workshops across the length and breadth of the USA and in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. My retreats and workshops are run at quilt stores, state guilds, festivals and quilt retreats. I either teach a specific design or a workshop I call Travel Journals including a “whole quilt concept”. This latter workshop includes principles of color and design as well as creative backs and labels. All my workshops have a strong focus on embellishment as a means of creating texture. I have recently opened a studio classroom geared towards teaching handwork crafts. Check out my teaching schedule on my website for upcoming classes and workshops in my Ohio studio!

Books & Patterns - My focus on embellishment led me, with the help of my Dad, to produce the book Creative Stitching in which I teach 50 of my favorite stitches and illustrate each stitch with examples of my work. We have since released Creative Stitching Second Edition, with updated illustrations and a number of new stitches. I make all my current designs available as books or patterns. I have gone to great lengths to ensure that all instructions are clearly stated and easy to follow. Some of my newest patterns are also available as digital downloads on my website.
My other absorbing passions include engaging with the four, unique, strong and fulfilling personalities that are my young-adult children, tending my flowers and traveling to new and exciting destinations.