April Featured Maker and Pattern: New Direction by Amber Elliot of Alderwood Studio
A new month means a new direction, and with that theme in mind, we’re elated to reveal our designer for April, Amber Elliot of Alderwood Studio!
Amber’s featured quilt pattern, our April pattern of the month, is New Direction. For the month of April, Amber will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the pattern to American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). For this month’s interview, we chatted with Amber about her collaboration with Modern Service Quilts. Read on!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your quilting journey?
Until recently, I was a software engineer and mama by day and a pattern designer, artist, and quilter by night. I launched a subscription box called Modern Makes in January 2020 and have been so happy to see it bring creativity into so many people’s lives. Since its launch, Modern Makes has taken off and become a digital membership as well, with an awesome community of quilters.
Why did you want to collaborate with Modern Service Quilts?
When I first heard about Modern Service Quilts, I loved that they were focused on organizations that support some of the more marginalized members of the military. I think that choosing to go into the military comes with great personal sacrifice, and veterans should be honored, respected, and supported no matter their race, gender, or orientation. I appreciate that these organizations exist to support and promote members of the military that may have faced discrimination or other hardship because of who they are.
Do you have your own personal connection to the military, service members, or the tradition of making honor quilts?
I have several family members who served in the military, including my father, who was in the Air Force. I didn't really understand what that truly meant for a long time; it was just a fact of life like any other. I have so many distinct memories of seeing him puttering around in the garage in his Air Force jacket, watching him inhale his food with incredible speed (because of his height, he was one of the last ones to eat, and the habit of eating quickly stuck with him for life), and hearing stories about the planes he worked on. It wasn't until we were on a family trip and seeing a show when the host asked all military veterans to stand for a round of applause that I suddenly realized... that was my dad. He was a military veteran, and that was a sacrifice that was special and something to be proud of.
This month, we’re highlighting your New Direction quilt pattern. Why do you think this particular design lends itself well to becoming a modern honor quilt?
The simple lines and color scheme work well with a simplified color palette, whether it’s red, white, and blue or some version of it. The arrows and name of the quilt could also be used to symbolize the new direction a veteran is heading after returning to civilian life. The arrows and flying geese might especially appeal to members of the Air Force.
Do you have any other patterns you think could work well as honor quilts?
A lot of my quilts are inspired by nature and the landscape of our country, so I think those (specifically the Wallowa and Sisters quilts) could work well as honor quilts.
You’ve chosen to support American Veterans for Equal Rights with your New Direction pattern sales this month. What led you to choose that particular charity?
I chose to support American Veterans for Equal Rights because I think they fill a very important gap for people that identify as part of LGBT and veteran communities. They provide support and a sense of community to LGBT veterans and promote awareness of their contributions.
Amber, we’re so glad to have you on board, and thank you for sharing this wonderful pattern with our makers! Head to Amber’s shop to purchase your own copy of the New Direction pattern this month. And don’t forget to share your work by tagging Modern Service Quilts (@modernservicequilts, #modernservicequilts) and Amber on social media (@alderwoodstudio, #alderwoodstudiopatterns, and #newdirectionquilt). We can’t wait to see the stunning quilts you all make.
If you need information on donating your finished quilt to a veteran, check out this page.
We’ll be back mid-month with more information on the sample quilt we made using Amber’s pattern. Until then, be sure to follow us on Instagram for lots more photos and information and sign up for our email newsletter below.
