On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting as an art form with my guest, Denyse Schmidt.
A former graphic designer and graduate of Rhode Island School of design, Denyse Schmidt began creating quilts in 1996. Intrigued by the rich historical nature of quilts and inspired by beauty born of necessity, Denyse adds her distinctive aesthetic sensibility – clean, spare lines, rich color, and bold graphics – to this rich art form, and has won acclaim from the world of art, design, and craft. In addition to designing and making quilts, Denyse is an author, fabric designer, lecturer and teacher. Denyse’s studio is located in a historic textile building in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
We begin the conversation by hearing what’s on Denyse’s work table right now. We then talk about her sewing machine and how the tools and materials that she uses are generally rather utilitarian. Denyse explains why she has never been an ambassador for a sewing machine company and why she doesn’t enter her quilts into national shows.
Denyse with her industrial sewing machine.
Next, we talk about the Amish women who quilt Denyse’s quilts and the choice she made to have her quilts quilted by hand rather than longarmed. Denyse doesn’t own a longarm machine. Denyse reflects on her position being both inside the quilting industry as a fabric designer, teacher, and author, as well as operating within the home decor industry designing one-of-a-kind quilts for clients and licensing.
Many people don’t realize that Denyse packs almost all orders herself (except when it gets very busy).
Finally, Denyse talks about her typical workday. She explains that she runs all aspects of her business, something many people don’t realize. I also ask Denyse to reflect on what it’s like to be a “secret celebrity,” meaning someone who is famous, but only within certain circles.
A look at Denyse’s garden. She’s not so focused on flowers. Rather she wants there to be interesting things to look at all year long.
And, of course, I ask Denyse to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Denyse recommends:
- WPKN, the local independent radio station in Bridgeport, CT which she listens to while she works
- working in the garden
- doing nothing and allowing yourself to daydream
You can follow Denyse on Instagram and on Facebook and check out her work on her website.
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This episode is sponsored by Okan Arts of Seattle, specializing in vintage Japanese textiles for adventuresome sewists and quilters. Check out the gorgeous yukata cottons in the Okan Arts online shop and enjoy a 20% discount with the code NAPS20, good until August 4, 2019.
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Thank you for this work. I thoroughly enjoyed your conversation with Denyse Schmidt. I had not know about her before but her approach really resonated with me as I make my way in the world as a creative professional. Really good to hear a voice of a woman over 55 discussing career in the digital age. And yes, we all need permission to contemplate it’s an important component of self care for creatives.
Thank you for listening to the interview. I’m so glad it resonated with you.
I just enjoyed your interview with Denyse Schmidt. After hearing her talk about her history and influences, I can see that reflected in her fabric and quilt designs. Knowing something about that background really adds to the enjoyment we derive from purchasing fabrics by our favourite designers. It was also very interesting to hear about her work and design ethics. The talk touched on the experience of becoming a “quilt celebrity” and it is interesting to find out how renowned quilters deal with this experience. To the rest of us it looks like such fun to design and quilt for a living, we forget that the downside is losing some of the time and freedom to continue creating. It seems you become a mini industry which is a whole lot more work than fun. I hope to find some more interviews like this in your archives with designers that I admire. I only discovered your site recently and really enjoy the interviews about how crafters and quilters got started.
Thank you so much for listening to the show, Christine.
Love Denyse! I visited her studio during an open house several years ago and bought “The Proverbial Quilt” pattern, which I finally sewed this spring as part of a sewalong Denyse organzied. It was just what I needed to get through this Covid-19 stress.
That’s wonderful, Didi!
Hi Abby,
I got hooked on your podcasts during the pandemic and recently realized that I’ve never left a comment to say that. Last spring I was working on Denyse Schmidt’s Freewheeling Single Girl quilt and googled her name and found your website. Since then I’ve listened to many of your episodes and have always enjoyed them. You do your research and are such a sympathetic interviewer. Thanks for the wonderful shows!
Hi Annie,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely comment. I truly appreciate it! I love making the show and it is so nice to hear from someone who enjoys listening to it!