Leanne Harvey
How did you feel when you first started sewing? I was about four years old. I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t sewn. I began patchwork about 18 years ago. It was a lightbulb moment, and I knew this was for me.
Has your response to your craft changed much since then? Yes. Patchwork and quilting was my hobby until 14 years or so ago – when I first started longarm quilting for customers. Then I started teaching in a shop. Now, it’s a hobby and work.
What is it that keeps you creating? My brain just doesn’t stop. Ideas pop into my head at all times. I have lots of ideas in my sketchbooks, just waiting to come to life. Also, inspiration is everywhere – nature, architecture, art …
Do you teach your skills? Yes, I teach patchwork and sewing classes. I also teach longarm quilting.
How long can you spend browsing in a patchwork or haberdashery store? I wish I had time to browse! I’m an in and out kind of girl. That way, I don’t spend too much.
What’s your favourite time of day to sew? Any time I get is usually fast and furious. I do love to spend a whole weekend sewing.
Do you have any sewing gadgets/notions you never use? Yes, a Beadazzler!
What do you like to do when you take a sewing break? I love exercise, crochet, movies – especially action and super-hero movies. And cruisin’ in the roadster with my hubby. No, I’m not very girly – go figure!
What do you wish for your creative future? Just to have the ideas to keep popping into my head so I can share my passion with other patchwork addicts.
Leanne Harvey, Mount Vincent Quilts: