Quilt artist Barbara Booth stitched her first quilt in 1987.

"It was the beginning of my passion for quilting!" says Barbara. That passion led to the development of Mostly Quilts.

Her discovery of the watercolor or colorwash quilting technique in 1996 opened a whole new world of quilt artistry for Barbara. The style became her specialty - she has created more than 40 watercolor quilts in the past five years. (Some of her fabric gardens and stylized designs are on display in the Quilt Gallery)

One of Barbara's quilts, Ancient Times, was chosen for the exclusive Houston International Quilt Show in October, 2002. Her quilt was one of 447 juried finalists selected from 755 entries.

Barbara has designed Mostly Quilts' watercolor patterns for all skill levels. By using selected floral fabrics, rather than the dozens of fabrics often used in watercolor designs, the patterns allow even beginners to produce sophisticated art quilts that look like the work of an experienced quilter.

Traditional pieced quilts still hold a fascination for Barbara, reflected in her Girly Girl Log Cabin pattern. She has done a number of pieced quilts in the past few years, adding appliqués from her extensive collection of vintage linens, laces, and buttons.

"I like to share my delight in this art form with other quilters through my patterns," Barbara says. "They provide easy access to the process involved in creating watercolor quilts."

She also shares her appreciation of fabric art with non-quilters who purchase her creations. Visit the Quilt Gallery to view quilts currently for sale.

Why "Mostly" Quilts? Although Barbara also fashions wall hangings, pillows, and Christmas stockings from her antique laces and fabrics, her design and stitching expertise are directed toward "mostly quilts".

Barbara's Tips: Design

Watercolor design invites you to put on your "artist" mindset. Let your creativity flow, color outside the lines; in fact, try to make the lines disappear!

Focus on strokes of color and wavy lines that move the eye to create a mood, feeling or image. Even when working with straight-lined patterns, like Eternity Cross, create flow and movement within the cross. Watercolor design is very liberating and tends to capture your attention for hours on end!

Just keep moving those squares around, take a break, look again, and you will see something different each time. Give yourself a few days of looking at the design occasionally and when it feels right, go ahead and sew it together.

Remember, there are lots of different "right" ways to use this technique; enjoy yours!

Get started on your first watercolor quilt with our
FREE printable Paper Hearts Pattern

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