I’ve been sewing since I could hold a needle, making my own clothes, soft furnishings, formal wear and my wedding dress … until I discovered patchwork and quilting about 25 years ago. Now I hardly ever make clothes!
In 2015, I had an idea for a challenge quilt for my local groups of friends. It was simple: make a quilt block every day for a year to build a sampler quilt. I thought maybe a dozen people would make the quilt. I created a Facebook page … and next thing I knew, quilters from all over the world were interested in my quilt! The 365 Challenge was born! At the end of 2019, there are over 30,000 subscribers … and the list is still growing.
The success of the 365 Challenge gave me the courage to design and send my patchwork patterns out into the world. My site kathrynkerr.com is that dream come true.
My journey as an artist has been much more stop/start. I dabbled in photography in the early ’90s, only to find my time increasingly consumed by my ‘real’ job as an analytical chemist over the next decade. My next opportunity to return to art manifested as beginning a Diploma of Visual Arts in 2003 at the local TAFE. It was such a joy to learn the basics of drawing and painting, and dip into cultural studies and art appreciation – subjects I’d never broached at school with my head in maths and science books.
It’s always about the fabric for me! Over the years I’ve explored eco-dying with Glenys Mann and India Flint, learnt art-quilting techniques from Caryl Bryer Fallert, Gloria Loughman, Caroline Sharkey, Catherine O’Leary, and Jenny Bowker. I’ve even done a few textile art units through university (see some posts related to these HERE).
Follow my artistic adventures, and my journey as an artist here.
Kathryn Kerr 
Kathy – I’ve done your 365 Challenge quilt, and it was an award winner for me and my machine quilter – loved it. Have also done Aves, which was supposed to go into a couple of shows this year, but of course the Coronavirus has managed to cancel those – but I still have hope for the future for that quilt. I wrote a note to myself earlier this year that you were going to do a new and different 365 Challenge quilt starting in July. Is that still going to happen? Can I still look forward to this? Or was I imagining things once again?
Hi Marilyn,
I’m so thrilled that your 365 Challenge quilt has had so much success! I’m sure Aves will do the same. Be sure to send me some piccies.
Yes, I’m currently working on a new 365 Challenge! You’re not imagining it. But, I don’t think I’ll have it ready in July, as planned. I’m aiming for September, but who knows?
I was getting frustrated as I’ve been spending so much time on computer and IT admin with the new kathrynkerr.com website. I gave up on trying to make it work, and instead moved the old 365 Challenge onto a new platform last month. At last, I’m seeing a reduction of that admin time.
I’m already making more headway on the new 365 Challenge and my study.
All my best wishes!