The Five Favs Series with: Helene Moe Slinning of Scandiquilts
Episode 4
The Story behind Five Favs
This series developed out of my love of movies, and specifically, movie lists. Critics and film geeks alike spend hours pouring over lists, ranking everything from best movies of the year (pretty standard fare) to top five music documentaries (getting a little more granular) to top five movie characters that shaped who you are (pretty personal and specific!). I thought it would be fun to play with this idea in the quilting world. Since we spend so much time in our sewing spaces, they contain interesting snapshots of who we are as creators, and can offer a sneak peek into other aspects of our lives, too. And so- the creation of The Five Favs Blog. This is a top five of the guests favorite items in their sewing space.
This month I am delighted to welcome Helene from Scandiquilts on the blog! Helene and I met in the comments section of a post in a quilting Facebook group, when we realized we lived not too far from one another. It’s hard to believe we’ve only know each other for about a year- it seems like we’ve been quilt friends forever! Helene is not only an amazing pattern designer, but is also a phenomenal graphic designer, photographer, and author! (She has a book all about building your own greenhouse- how cool is that?!) With a fabulous knack for putting together colors and prints, I’m always blown away by her quilts. Her designs are inspired by life in Norway and I love the thoughtful ways she brings traditional elements into modern designs.
About Helene
“I’m Helene, the designer behind Scandiquilts. I create modern quilt patterns inspired by life in Norway. As a graphic designer and lifelong maker, I love making stuff – and put a Nordic twist to my creations. My patterns are designed to be fun, efficient, and usually beginner-friendly – because quilting should be enjoyable, not stressful! When I’m not quilting, you’ll find me sipping coffee with skimmed milk, digging in my garden, or driving my vintage boat on the Oslofjord outside my home in Tønsberg, Norway. Want to see what I’m working on? Visit scandiquilts.com for my latest patterns, blog posts, and freebies!”
Where Helene Works
“My sewing room is tucked away on the top floor of our house. It's a cozy space that became mine when my oldest son moved out. Having a designated sewing space really re-ignited my love of quilting, as I prefer to keep the rest of the house free from crafting supplies - and let's be honest: It's hard to keep a quilting project from taking over a room once it's out!
The sewing room has a sloped ceiling, so there’s only one full-height wall - that's where I've hung my homemade flannel design wall. The rest of the room is painted in a soft, white-ish shade, making it feel light and airy and making the most out of the daylight. My setup is simple but functional, with IKEA shelves and a sewing table that keep everything organized. I sew on two machines: my reliable Janome MC6600 Professional (It must be closer to 20 years old now!) and my Bernina 570 QE. I prefer piecing on the Janome, but the Bernina is great for quilting!”
Fav 1 - The Vintage Woodstove
“One of the quirkiest and most charming things in my sewing room is the vintage wood stove. It’s been here since the house was built in the mid-50s, and back before we renovated the top floor and this was our bedroom, we actually had to light a fire before going to bed in the winter - it got that cold! While it’s not in use anymore (Thank goodness for insulation!), I love having it here. The relief design on the stove, a mother holding up her child, is such a charming detail.”
Fav 2 - Fabric Stash
“My fabric stash is the heart of my sewing room. It’s my paint, my crayons, and a great source of inspiration. Choosing a favorite color feels impossible, but if I must, I’d say mustard yellow, like tiny Norwegian wooden houses scattered across the country. Favorite designer? Ruby Star Society for sure. There’s something about their prints and colors that just resonates with me and makes me want to sew all day long. (Not to mention become a fabric designer! Shh! Did I say that out loud?)”
Fav 3 - Bose QC Headphones
“The soundtrack to my sewing life? A steady stream of podcasts through my Bose QC headphones. Whether it's quilting, business related, or random fun facts, I love learning while I sew. The only time I take them off is when I’m cutting or counting. Math and multitasking don’t mix! Otherwise, they’re permanently glued to my head. Bonus: I can’t hear my family asking what’s for dinner!”
Fav 4 - DIY Cutting Table
“My cutting table is a DIY project I’m extra proud of! Built from an IKEA Bror rolling cart and topped with pine shelves, it’s the perfect size for my 24x36” cutting mat. Since it's got wheels, I can move it effortlessly around my sewing room, which is nice, because I tend to walk around the table as I cut. My rulers are stored flat on the shelf underneath. I even wrote a blog post about how I made it – because who doesn't love a good IKEA hack?”
Fav 5 - Current Project
“Every new quilt pattern I design feels like my favorite while I’m working on it. There’s something about bringing an idea to life, from the first sketch to the final stitches, that keeps me endlessly motivated. Designing patterns and sharing my ideas with others is what truly fuels my creativity. I rarely sew from other people’s patterns – not because I don’t love them, but because my head is constantly spinning with my own ideas. If only there were more hours in the day to make them all! Right now I'm sewing up my latest pattern, the Atlantic herring – a geometric tribute to of one of my fave Scandinavian design items of all time, the Clupea tableware by Turi Gramstad Oliver for Figgjo porcelain factory. I'm loving how those herrings dance around in circles. (This pattern will be available in the beginning of May!)”
