I'm so excited to finally get a post up about my girl, Ashley who is also an instructor at Spool. Ashley recently launched her
specialty quilting and pattern shop on Etsy- so check it out! She has a unique sense of color and patterns and her original quilt patterns are especially rad! Her quirky sense of humor will have you following
her blog in no time, along with her crafty projects and delightful photography. We both share a special love for Anna Maria Horner, and if you ever meet Ashley- she'll tell you that Anna once commented on one of her blog posts (trollip!). Anyway, I asked Ashley a few questions about K<3 and this is what she said..enjoy!
I promise I don't just like her because she's ginger-headed!
1. When did you start sewing?
You know, I did some sewing in highschool. I made a little bunny rabbit with movable arms and legs for home ec, that got me started. I was kinda punk rock, so I would repurpose my old clothes and make handbags out of them. I remember I had a fuzzy leopard print skirt that got a massive orange juice stain, don't ask me how I remember that part, and I cut it up and made a cute little short strap purse. I carried it everywhere... I wish I still had it.
I would do a bit of sewing here and there after that, with my repurposed singer I got for my 18th birthday, but then it kind of teetered out and I stopped. I started again a year and a half ago. I was, for lack of better words, just plain bored. I saw that there was a cute shop near my work that had quilting classes. I took one, and then I was hooked! After that first crib blanket I jumped in head first and made a full sized bed quilt! Crazy.
2. Tell us a little bit about K<3?
Well, it's my name really, Ashley Kayhart. For a long time I thought my last name was kind of odd, but then, I started to think about it, and I realized, heck, how many people can write their last name in symbols? Not many! So it's become my brand.
Kayhart, particularly as a blog, started as a simple quilting blog, for the love of color and the craft. I had always thought that quilting was something amish people did, or old ladies in Wisconsin, but I was finding so many cute patterns and colorful palettes that I realized, quilting is cool man, do it!
I think my quilts and pattern work are for those who are a little cute, a little rock n roll, and a lot of awesome! I've had a couple strange looks pass me when I am working on a new palette, but in the end I think they come out vibrant, born bright!
3. You recently started selling some of your quilt patterns. What's next for K<3?
Well I do have my etsy shop open, which for now is at www.etsy.com/shop/ashkyt. I have three patterns for sale, a quilt, a table runner/quilt, and a super fun and easy baby bib pattern! I also have quilts for sale, a few in my first signature style, the robin, as well as baby bibs and washcloth sets for boys and girls!
I am so excited about the whole process. Every quilt I make has a style it's own, and I can't wait for a happy baby to have it, love it, and keep it!
4. Philly summers can be brutal! What is your favorite summer drink?
Oh, iced tea. Definitely. I grew up drinking it hot all winter, and cold all summer. There are usually two pitchers full in the fridge at all times!
