GETTING ACQUAINTED
Tell us a little about yourself: where you live, what your life looks like outside of quilting, and what people might be surprised to know about you.
Hi, I'm Lou. I'm a sewing and quilt pattern designer, working from my sewing studio in Oxfordshire, in the UK. When I am not in my studio I am on 'mum' duties to a teen and a tween (read: taxi.) I also love reading and historical fiction is a favourite! I'm an Autumn person, so give me a quilt on my lap, a book in my hand, a cup of tea and a sweet treat and I'm good to go! One thing people may be surprised to know is that I didn't enjoy sewing as a kid. We learnt sewing at school and I just found it so frustrating, not helped by the fact that I could never remember to put the presser foot down!
How did you learn to quilt, and who (if anyone) taught you?
I learnt to sew just after the birth of my first daughter. As a brand new mum, I spent a lot of time with my Mother-in-law and she suggested I could try out some sewing. Out come her 1970's Husqvarna and in between feeding and nappy changes, she taught me the basics of sewing. After my school experiences with sewing, I didn't hold out much hope for this new hobby, but the sewing bug bit hard! I then found the world of modern quilting (and designer fabrics) through blogs and I was totally smitten! The rest, as they say, is history!
YOUR DESIGN WORK
How did you make the leap from quilter to pattern designer? What was your first pattern, and how did it feel to release it into the world?
I started in the world of pattern design by drafting my own patterns for my own use for years. Then I saw a call out in a sewing magazine, asking for pattern writers and I sent a pitch in, which was accepted. I was so excited! Over the years I have had many patterns in magazines, from Mollie Makes and Love Sewing to Quilt Now and Love Patchwork and Quilting, In 2018 I launched my own range of 'Lou Orth Designs' patterns, starting with my 'Fraction' quilt pattern. I now have a large selection of sewing and quilting patterns but my first ever release still remains popular.
How would you describe your design style to someone who had never seen your work?
My designs, on the whole are modern, play with geometric and repeating shapes, and make use of negative space to enhance the design.
What's the pattern you're most proud of, and why?
Ahh, this one is hard and will probably change with the seasons. I am going to say Paw Tracks. It ticks all the boxes for me in terms of my style, it looks great in any fabric and it's so fabric friendly. You can use scraps, layer cakes, charm packs or FQs, so its great little workhorse of a pattern.
YOU & THE CRAFT
What's your favorite part of the quilting process and why?
I love the designing part and choosing the colours and fabrics. I would play around mocking up digital quilts in all the fabrics all day if I could!
What's always in your fabric stash? Any go-to collections, designers, or colors you find yourself reaching for repeatedly?
Ruby Star Society is always a winner here. Kim Kight's designs never miss, with a mix of cute motifs and colour combos.
Solids, prints, or both? Why?
Prints, but fun blender prints. Blenders work so well with quilts, you get beautiful colours and little details in the fabrics but there's no need to worry about turning that HST around the other way.
Is there a quilting technique that intimidated you before you tried it — and that you now love?
Curves without pins!
THE BUSINESS OF DESIGN
What's the best piece of advice you've received about running a creative business?
Allow time for being creative without having to monetize it. Whether that's creating a quilt just for yourself and not turning it into a pattern, or another creative outlet, such as knitting or drawing.
We all come to this business because we are creative and that can get lost if you are always considering if something will sell well or not.
RAPID FIRE
Favorite quilt you've ever made (yours or someone else's)?
My Gather and Sew quilt
The quilting tool you'd rescue in a fire?
Olfa quilting rulers
Listening to / watching while you sew?
Headphones on for sewing. Either an audiobook or podcast.
If you could only use one color family for the rest of your quilting life, what would it be?
Pinks!
Scrappy or planned colorway?
Planned colorway
ONE LAST THING
Is there anything else you'd like the Patternly community to know about you or your work that we didn't ask?
I've recently become an Aurifil Aurifilosopher, so if you and part of a guild or shop and would like to book in a live presentation to understand more about the importance of thread, get in touch!
Where can people find you online?
- Website: louorthdesigns.com
- YouTube (I share demos on techniques used in my patterns): https://youtube.com/@louorthdesigns
- Instagram: @louorthdesigns
- TikTok: @louorthdesigns
- Newsletter sign up: https://louorthnewsletter.myflodesk.com