Following the Mix It Up sampler quilt and block introductions from May 2019.
Karen joined the Designer Duo 2019 series, working through a collaborative sampler quilt called Mix It Up. Each block release brought fresh piecing challenges and a chance to explore modern traditional design alongside fellow quilters.
The Designer Duo series brought together creative minds in the quilting community to explore collaborative projects that inspire and challenge. Participants worked through the Mix It Up sampler quilt, a carefully curated collection of blocks that introduced fresh piecing techniques and modern traditional design elements. Each block release offered a new opportunity to experiment with fabric combinations, color placement, and construction methods, encouraging quilters to expand their skills while building a cohesive sampler. The series celebrated the joy of shared creativity, proving that collaboration can produce beautiful, unexpected results that no single designer could achieve alone.
The Mix It Up sampler quilt became a beloved project for quilters seeking to grow their technical abilities while creating something uniquely personal. Block by block, participants stitched their way through a variety of patterns that ranged from classic geometric shapes to more adventurous modern designs. The project encouraged quilters to make thoughtful fabric choices, pairing cottons and prints in ways that highlighted contrast and cohesion. As each block came together, the sampler transformed into a vibrant patchwork of individual expression, reflecting each maker's personality while maintaining the unified vision of the Designer Duo collaboration.
Following the Designer Duo journey meant embracing the process of learning and discovery that comes with tackling new quilting challenges. The series fostered a sense of community among participants who shared their progress, celebrated successes, and worked through tricky seams together. Beyond the technical skills gained, the experience highlighted the importance of patience and persistence in quilt making. The finished Mix It Up sampler stands as a testament to the dedication of those who followed along, a colorful reminder of the adventures that await when quilters come together to create, share, and inspire one another through fabric and thread.
The Mix It Up sampler quilt kicked off the Designer Duo 2019 series. Karen joined the sew-along, blending traditional block construction with her signature modern palette of low-volume fabrics and tonal prints.
Launch
The first block in the series, OUTBOUND, introduced the sampler's structure. Karen pieced this block with crisp seams and a mix of reproduction and modern cottons, staying true to her Modern Traditional Quilter style.
Block 1
INBOUND followed as the second block, building on the sampler's rhythm. Karen continued working with Kona cottons and low-volume backgrounds, letting the pieced geometry shine.
Block 2