September Featured Maker and Pattern: Bar Charts by Amanda Carye of Broadcloth Studio
Can you believe we’re already on month four of this journey? Our first three collaborators, patterns, and organizations were such fun to share with you, and we can’t wait any longer to reveal our designer and pattern for September — meet Amanda Carye of Broadcloth Studio!
Amanda’s featured quilt pattern, our September pattern of the month, is Bar Charts. For the month of September, Amanda will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the pattern to Home Base. For this month’s interview, we chatted with Amanda about her collaboration with Modern Service Quilts. Read on!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your quilting journey?
I started sewing at age four and started quilting in middle school. A serial entrepreneur with an MBA, I spent most of my career in the art world before starting my first company (which had absolutely nothing to do with quilts!). In 2017, I started Broadcloth Studio, a collection of bold and modern quilt patterns that are designed to be enjoyable to make. With Broadcloth Studio, I aim to celebrate the craft, the community, and the heritage of quilting every day (with a fresh take and an irreverent wink). I am also a founder and co-host of the Quilt Buzz Podcast. I love talking about quilting, designing, hand stitching, business strategy, and spreadsheets!
Why did you want to collaborate with Modern Service Quilts?
From the technologically forward to the environmentally inclined, from the community builders to the charitably minded: quilters are doers. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the innovative and enterprising spirit within the quilting community, and I love to support those who are putting themselves out there, trying to do something new (or take something old and put a modern spin on it!). So, it’ll come as no surprise that the Modern Service Quilts project ticks all those boxes!
Do you have your own personal connection to the military, service members, or the tradition of making honor quilts?
My grandfather served in the Navy during World War II, and my father was a member of the Coast Guard Reserve.
This month, we’re highlighting your Bar Charts quilt pattern. Why do you think this particular design lends itself well to becoming a modern honor quilt?
I felt like the angle and movement of the bars reminded me of a badge or medal and could easily be interpreted in a military context. The simplicity of the design and color layout also lend themselves well to a variety of color schemes.
Do you have any other patterns you think could work well as honor quilts?
Flight Formation. When we were kids, we went to the Air Show at the Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, and I remember being awed by the aerial displays of formation flying. Every time I look at Flight Formation, I always think back to those memories!
You’ve chosen to support Home Base with your Bar Chart pattern sales this month. What led you to choose that particular charity?
Boston is my hometown, and I have friends back home who are passionate advocates for the work Home Base is doing there.
(Home Base, a partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, is a multi-disciplinary team of experts working together to help service members, veterans, and their families heal from the invisible wounds of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and related conditions.)
Amanda, we’re so glad to have you on board, and thank you for sharing this wonderful pattern with our makers! Head to Amanda’s shop to purchase your own copy of the Bar Charts pattern this month. 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 Amanda’s pattern and some fun mockups of the quilt in different color schemes. Until then, be sure to follow us on Instagram for lots more photos and information and sign up for our email newsletter below. You can follow Amanda on Instagram @broadclothstudio.
