All About Applique - Blogger Interview

1. Name of blog

All About Appliqué

2. Url

http://www.allaboutapplique.net My website is http://www.kaymackenzie.com

3. How did you choose your blog's title?

It was a natural. It's exactly what it's about, and the alliteration is a bonus.

4. What was your purpose in beginning your blog and has the purpose changed over the years? If so, how?

I never thought I would blog. I always said, 'Who cares what I ate for breakfast?' Then I gradually got the idea that I could blog in conjunction with my profession as an appliqué designer, and shape it like an on-line magazine with useful articles of interest to other appliqué enthusiasts. 

5. How long have you been blogging?

Three years. Ish.

6. Do you have special features on your blog? If so, what are they?

Lots! I have an extensive blogroll with links to other designers and pattern companies. There's an Amazon Bookshop with all appliqué titles, personally hand-picked by moi. Anybody who's interested in appliqué can explore the Categories and find lots of information about appliqué... any kind! There are many photo tutorials and product reviews too. If anyone's interested in the publishing process they can read my series called "A journey to a book," which describes the process of having a book published by a traditional publisher. And, I do monthly book features and giveaways that are sponsored by my publisher, That Patchwork Place. 

8. What style of quilting do you prefer?

I do both hand and machine appliqué. I started out being taught hand methods quilting but I forced myself with lots of practice to learn machine appliqué and machine quilting on my Bernina, and I can now do a pretty respectable job. In a perfect world it would be all hand appliqué and hand quilting but we all know that the practicalities of life have overrun that.

9. What type of camera do you use for taking photos?

I have a Canon PowerShot A620. I usually take photos at a bigger size than I need, and then stick them in Photoshop to make them the size and resolution I need for the final purpose. I need to get into the White Balance settings of the camera and understand them better.

10. Is there any one project that you are particularly proud of? Please describe.

That would have to be my book from That Patchwork Place, Easy Appliqué Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes. I had this concept for a block book that would be a library of designs ready for the appliqué enthusiast, and there would be a CD with it that would offer the blocks in five different sizes so you could print out your size right at home, without having to enlarge or reduce on a copy machine. I also wanted to offer already-reversed version for those types of appliqué methods that need them. I just felt like we're at a place in our technology right now where this was an idea whose time had come. The publisher recognized the value in my concept, and they went with it! They did a fantastic job with the CD too. And, I'm excited to say that EAB has been so successful that we're doing a followup! Inspired by Tradition: 50 Appliqué Blocks in 5 Sizes comes out in March 2011. It's the same format, a library of designs with the CD, only this time the blocks all have that old-time vintage flavor and feel.


11. Have you participated in online classes, quilt-alongs, etc... If so, what was your favorite and why?

Not so much as a participant. I'm fairly good at focusing on what I need to get done next and putting my time there. I love hosting stops on blog hops though and I've done a few of those. 

12. Have you entered a quilt is a contest or show? If so, which show or contest and did you win any special honors?

I have a little wall of ribbons in my studio that the neighbors can see when the drapes are open. They thought they were dog show ribbons LOL because they know I'm crazy about dogs! The now-defunct Marin County Quilt & Needle Arts show was very good to me over the years and a lot of the ribbons are from there. I also got a Judge's Choice in the Glendale, California, show one year, and I've been juried into Houston before.

13. What style of fabrics are you most drawn to?

Little bits of things that would make good appliqué motifs. I love red, pink, blue, butter yellow, red-orange, and tealy blue. I'm not much of a bright or a batik person. Lately I've developed a taste for Civil War-ish prints, that palette.


What are your favorite tools?  

My computer and printer plus all the usual 'stuff' that a dedicated quilter has
cluttering up the studio.

What type of sewing, quilting or other machines do you use in your quilting projects?  

I only use one machine, my Bernina 153 Quilter's Edition. It has a great blanket stitch for machine appliqué, needle-up and needle-down, and great tension for machine quilting.

14. Is there another kind of online presence that you would like to have in the future?

Being included on another quilter's blog is great!! Thank you!! 

15. What type of posts seem to get the most attention from your readers?

The giveaways. Most definitely the giveaways. Lets just say those posts get the most comments.... since leaving a comment enters you in the drawing :).

16. What is the content of your posts? Are they instructional, informative, reviews, interviews, link posts, rants, research, memes, and/or projects?

All of the above. Except, no rants. Definitely no rants. I save those for my DH, just ask him :). What's a meme?

17. Concerning advertising, do you have any affiliate programs, links to your own online store, etc. . .

As I mentioned before, you can access a whole bunch of appliqué titles all gathered into one place through my Appliqué Bookshop. It's at the top of the left-hand sidebar. You can also link to my website, kaymackenzie.com, where you'll find all of my books, patterns, and notions for the quilter. I've published quite a few collections of appliqué patterns myself in book form in addition to the ones from That Patchwork Place.


18. Do you have goals for your blog and how do you measure your success. At meeting these goals?

I'd love my blog to become widely known as a great resource for appliqué enthusiasts. I think it's getting there more and more all the time. I guess I measure my success in numbers of subscribers and in the nice things that people say about it. Also, when a rock star of quilting wants to come on over and do a guest post, or another blogger like you wants me to do an interview, that's very cool!!

19. Is there a future direction that you would like your blog to take?

Same direction. Continue to add lots of great content and plow ahead.

20. Is there some point when you will stop blogging? How will you make that determination?

If I were ever to retire fully from the quilting industry, maybe. But hey, right now I feel like I'm just getting up a head of steam, so let's not go there just yet okay