Corey Yoder is a fabric designer for Moda Fabrics as well as a quilter. She makes over 20 quilts a year! She took up sewing when she got married in 1997 after she developed a love of all things textile and needed to find an outlet for her fabric buying.
Starting with making children’s clothing , she most enjoyed appliqué and would include her designs on jeans and little tops.
After having her second child Corey was drawn into quilting which has allowed her to be far more creative.
We love Corey’s fabric for Moda and have a range of her designs and quilt patterns here: Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics
Who inspired you to take up sewing and how old were you?
I have generations of quilt makers in my family on both my mom and dad’s sides of the family. Many of these ladies were both quilt piecers as well as quilters. But, I didn’t start sewing until after I got married. Being surrounded by quilts and quilting making, I had no interest while I was living at home!
Who can you remember doing your first sewing with?
The first quilt I made after getting married, was completed at my mom’s house on my mom’s sewing machine and was the first time I remember sewing.
What is the first thing you made?
The first thing I made was a flannel blanket for my husband for one of our first Christmas’s after we were married. I purchased 10 yards of Grinch flannel fabric from Wal-Mart which I turned into the front and back of a rather large blanket. My mom and I put it into her quilt frame and knotted it and then finished the edges of the blanket to complete it. That blanket got so much use!
What is your favourite type of stitch?
I use a straight stitch for piecing and a blanket stitch for machine appliqué.
What do you consider your best piece of work?
I don’t know if I have a project that I consider a “best piece of work”. I do have a number of quilts that I quite like though… Maple Charm, Line Dried, Medley Medallion, Beholden 2, Delighted, and Plain & Fancy to name a few.
What type of sewing projects do you prefer
I most often make quilts and pillows. Pillows are wonderful when you want to try out a new technique.
What is your inspiration for your designs
My fabrics often begin with a pretty floral that I have drawn. I then work to create the coordinating fabrics. For quilt design, I like traditional quilts with a bit of a spin.
What is your very favourite thing that you have made
This changes depending on what I am working on! I make 20+ quilts a year so there is always a new favourite popping up!
What is your favourite tool or gadget?
I really like the Clearly Perfect Angles Seam Guide and the Stripology ruler.
Do you have a favourite colour to work in
I like a sherbet-y color palette and you will find gray in nearly every quilt that I make.
What type of fabric would you choose to work with?
Moda of course!—and definitely quilting cotton.
Do you prefer hand work or machine work?
I like both, but find more time for machine work. I do like to have a hand project to work on especially in the winter either embroidery or hand quilting generally
What’s your dream sewing machine
I’m not generally a very “gadgety” sort of person—so if my machine sews well and pieces beautifully without a lot of fuss or bells and whistles, I am a happy girl.
My advice to a newbie would be …………………..?
Dive in and give it a whirl. Don’t be afraid of new techniques—it’s probably more simple than you think.
What is the piece of work that has driven you mad/been a disaster
I don’t know if I’d consider any of my projects disasters. I’ve certainly had some that didn’t end as anticipated but how do we learn without mistakes? We learn far more from the projects that take a turn than from the ones that go perfectly!
Do you make things for other people?
On occasion.
Who (famous person alive or historical) would you love to create something for
I think that the person who would be most fun to create for would be someone who knows and understands how much time and thought go into quilt making.
What’s your best sewing background music?
I usually listen to Podcasts while I am sewing.
Are you an early riser or a night bird – when is the best time for you to sew?
Early bird for sure!—most of my work happens between 9am-3pm during the school year while my family is at school/work. I like to get my computer work done before then so I am free to work in my sewing room after the office work has been completed.
What other hobbies or interests do you enjoy?
I really enjoy reading but I have to be very careful about when I pick up a book to begin reading. I won’t stop until the book is finished!
Who in the sewing or crafting world do you most admire?
I appreciate anyone trying a new to them craft without fear of failure. Never try, never know!
Eclectic Maker have a range of Corey Yoder fabrics for Moda and Coriander Quilt patterns in-store here: https://www.eclecticmaker.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=corey+yode
Corey Yoder has her own blog – Coriander Quilts where you will find more of her quilts. She also has a Facebook page and Instagram