Beautiful Pet Portrait Quilts! Stunning Work!

Quilter’s Name: Linda Heimerl from Minnesota

Name of Project: Pet Portraits

Featured Date: 11-20-24

Hi! My name is Linda Heimerl and I live in the southern part of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. These are my Pet Portraits, a quilting style I became interested in because of my cat, Kaboodle! He would stare at you with a look we termed “the Kaboodle Look” and my late husband challenged me to recreate that look in a quilt of the cat. I had never done a pet portrait before, but thanks to the Internet, I researched techniques and accepted the challenge.

Using an enlarged photo, I made my pattern and lined up my fabrics. It’s basically a collage-type technique that I used and Moda grunge and batiks are especially good for doing pet portraits. Freezer paper is a staple for me in making my pattern because the pattern piece can be traced from the photo on the dull side of the paper (no reversing necessary), and ironed shiny side down onto the right side of the fabric to cut. It peels off with no damage to the fabric. Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite is my go-to fusible because it can be repositioned and isn’t permanent until pressed.

Kaboodle was my first pet portrait, leading to Mojo (my granddog) and ultimately to teaching a class on pet portraits at a local quilt shop. Phoenix (the shop owner’s dog) was my model for the upcoming class! Throughout the process of making pet portraits, I’ve refined my technique and thoroughly enjoy watching the pet come to life in fabric. The final step in the pet portrait project is thread-painting! I find variegated thread works exceptionally well for this and although it seems scary at first, once I get started with it, it just seems to flow! And the thread painting can be as dense or as sparse as you wish.

I’ve been sewing since I was 10, but didn’t begin “real” quilting with piecing, etc. until about 10 years ago, when I took a “Block of the Month” class, and it’s been nonstop ever since. My mother was a Home Ec teacher and instilled in me a love of sewing when I was very young. I have been given great pleasure from sewing and quilting for fun, for gifting, and through it, making some great friends too.

Thank you,

Linda Heimerl

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