Three Swans Studios launches exciting new line of quilt patterns

September, 2000 Three Swans Studios is comprised of two sisters – Joan Bouwmeester and Debbie Bouwmeester-Fasek – who live and work in different parts of Canada and come from quite different artistic backgrounds. Joan lives in Ottawa, Ontario and is trained as a Visual Artist (painting & drawing). For the past several years, in addition to making her own art, she has worked as an Heraldic Artist and Calligrapher, with numerous commissions from both public and private patrons. Debbie is in Edmonton, Alberta, and is a Fibre Artist. In her own work, Debbie has extensive experience in the reverse appliqué quilting technique, and in the area of embroidery has focused on experimental interpretive stitching and colour applications. She has also received numerous private and public commissions. This past year we have put our heads and our talents together to design an exciting new line of quilt patterns which will premier in September at the “Creative Stitches & Crafting …Alive!” show in Calgary, Alberta.

To make the most of our diverse talents, we take a collaborative approach in designing each one of our patterns. We begin by together working out the central theme and broad form of a possible new pattern. Joan takes these ideas and sketches out the initial design elements. Debbie then plays with these elements to make sure they work in fabric. We work this process, back and forth, until a design that pleases us both emerges. Joan then finalizes the pattern and Debbie makes the prototypes.

For our initial line of quilt patterns, we have used a stained glass, reverse appliqué technique – but with a unique difference. Each pattern has been drawn with a broken line down the center of the stained glass leading lines which can be used as a guide for a bias binding appliqué technique. Of course, they can also be used as designs for traditional hand appliqué.

Our designs are bold and innovative, drawing inspiration from things that we like but also from traditions of quilt making, stained glass and other applied art forms. And, as you can see from our brochure, our interests in subject matter run from the mythological, to the naturalistic, to the geometric.

Some of our patterns – like the Christmas stocking and the tea cozy & hot mat combinations – have a distinctive functional bent, but are still, we believe, absolutely gorgeous designs. Other of our patterns – like The Dragon, The Crystals and Quartet – are quite large and elaborate. These will provide a welcome challenge for experienced quilt makers. That said, all of our patterns come with fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions which can walk even raw beginners through the entire process, including the construction and attachment of straight-cut or mitered corner borders, binding, and dowel pockets where the pattern is for a wall hanging. The front of the pattern cover shows the picture of the finished piece (same as in the brochure) while the back cover provides the fabric requirements and list of recommended supplies.