April Featured Maker and Pattern: Lending by Rachelle Craig of Rachelle Handmade
With all the busyness that spring often brings, April is the perfect month for a quick and simple quilt pattern. To bring it to you, we’re so pleased to reveal April’s collaborator is Rachelle Craig of Rachelle Handmade!
Rachelle’s featured quilt pattern, our April pattern of the month, is Lending. For the month of April, Rachelle will be donating 75% of the proceeds from the pattern to Disabled American Vets (DAV). Read on for this month’s chat with Rachelle about her collaboration with Modern Service Quilts!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your quilting journey?
I'm a former construction engineer turned designer pursuing my long-time dream of designing quilt patterns. One summer, as a bored teenager, I taught myself how to quilt using library books, and I haven't looked back since. I enjoy the entire process of quilt making, from the spark of inspiration to watching a written design turn into a tangible quilt. My quilts often include geometric designs using solid fabrics in bright colors on dark backgrounds; I buy Kona Solid in Black by the bolt. While staying at home during the pandemic in 2020, I turned to the online quilting community for support and inspiration, and I'm so very appreciative of the friends I've made along the way. I live in rural Wisconsin with my husband, studio cat, and a herd of cows.
Why did you want to collaborate with Modern Service Quilts?
I’ve designed and made a few Quilts of Valor in the past, but they were all more traditional designs. I wanted to see a more modern quilt design as a service quilt.
Do you have your own personal connection to the military, service members, or the tradition of making honor quilts?
My grandfather served in World War II as an army engineer. When I went to college for engineering, he was one of my biggest supporters. He learned how to quilt, embroider, crochet, and make leatherwork in the VA hospital while he was recovering from a leg injury. I got my love of quilting from him.
This month, we’re highlighting your Lending quilt pattern. Why do you think this particular design lends itself well to becoming a modern honor quilt?
Lending is a simple design that lends itself well to almost any fabric. It’s easy enough for advanced beginners to quickly learn and for experienced quilters to get that quick-finish quilt done while adding their own twist to it.
Do you have any other patterns you think could work well as honor quilts?
Yes! The Becket pattern could be a really fun take on a star quilt.
Do you have any tips for making a quilt pattern appropriate for an honor quilt?
Your quilt and fabrics don’t have to be “star spangled.” Simple geometric designs using simple blenders or solids can be a perfect fit.
You’ve chosen to support Disabled American Vets (DAV) with your Lending pattern sales this month. What led you to choose that particular charity?
My grandfather struggled with mobility issues his entire life after injuring his leg, so this cause has a personal meaning for me.
Rachelle, we’re so glad to have you on the MSQ team this month! Head to Rachelle’s shop to purchase your own copy of the Lending pattern by April 30, and share your wonderful work by tagging Modern Service Quilts (@modernservicequilts, #modernservicequilts) and Rachelle on social media (@rachelle_handmade, #lendingquiltpattern). We can’t wait to see the beautiful 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 Rachelle’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.
