He Moves in Mysterious Ways

Entry Number: 174

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) - Computer / Pantograph Guided:

Sparrow Quilt Co.

Techniques: Pieced

Design Source: Begun in a class or workshop.

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy. This quilt was made during a Christmas break mystery class held at Earthly Goods in Edmonton. The concept of a mystery quilt was a real challenge for me, as I spent hour after hour on my feet cutting out tiny little pieces, having no idea what the finished product would actually look like. I overhead random strangers commenting that the quilt was "too dark", but I like to think that the colours I chose are perfectly masculine. The name of the quilt honours the rock band, U2.

Crying Underneath the Dublin Sky

Entry Number: 173

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) that is Hand-Guided:

Kim Caskey Custom Quilting

Techniques: Pieced

Design Source: Double Irish Chain

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.

This Double Irish Chain quilt filled with wool batting honours my Irish heritage and keeps me warm during cold Edmonton nights. My friend and mentor, Kim Caskey, painstakingly (and perfectly) quilted each of the open spaces with a Celtic knot that was inspired by a tattoo design. The name of the quilt honours one of my favourite singers, Darren Hayes.

Nowhere to Hyde

Entry Number: 167

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) - Computer / Pantograph Guided: Benjamin Evans

Techniques: Pieced

Design Source: Daisy Chain from Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.

This surprising simple "Daisy Chain" quilt from the book, "Jelly Roll Quilts" by Pam and Nicky Lintott is an example of a quilt that I made using the chain-piecing technique. The "Hyde Park" fabric by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics is some of the most beautiful I have seen.