Critter Pattern Works offers 88 realistic animal-themed patterns for quilts. Our patterns have been especially for cotton fabrics, but now working in felted wool applique, our designs even more realistic.
Critter Pattern Works is Celebrating its 33rd Anniversary in 2022!
Here are just a few of our animal-themed applique patterns.
CLICK ON the menu at left to go see more info and details of what we have to offer or click on the photos below.
Critter Pattern Works started in 1988 when a quilt shop owner, Barbara Spitler, saw my quilts at a Main Line Quilters meeting. She asked me to teach in her shop and then helped me to publish my first patterns in 1989.
My Background:
I am Debora Konchinsky, the owner and designer for Critter Pattern Works. I graduated with a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Fabric Design from the Philadelphia College of Art in 1966. In 25 years my style and interests have changed from basic cotton appliques where the animals are one color, to working with wool and felting wool fibers into my appliques to make my critters look 3-D. Some of them even have ears and tails and wings that dangle off my quilts.
My Mission:
I have always specialized in realistic animal-themed patterns of machine appliqué. These patterns can be used to make finished projects ranging from a hot pad to full sized bed quilt to clothing. I want to help you think more creatively. During those four years, I spent in college, I learned that creative thinking starts with one question: "What if...? Before you can be creative, you need to learn the basics of applique. I figured that videos are the easiest way to learn, and I made step by step free vidoes for you...seriously, I wore all the hats: the writer, producer, camerawoman, editor and the star for the videos.
Watch over my shoulder to learn how I sew appliques in both raw edge and satin stitching and create some special effects. Click here to watch How-to Applique videos.
When I started designing patterns back in 1989, people wanted to do machine appliqué because it was fast. Sure, you can make up my patterns by hand applique if you prefer, just add a seam allowance. Now with the punch needle embroidery, beading, and FELTING techniques, people find that they can use our appliques in front of the TV or riding in a car because it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. It is relaxing to do, and fun to see the design develop in a few evenings. You won’t create designs as fast as with machine appliqué, but the process is a pleasant change of pace, and the amount of detail you can achieve is amazing. Look at the detail photos of the Woolly Sheep quilt pattern page to see the kind of transformation that can be made by using different materials and techniques but the same designs. My first and second felted applique quilts have both won blue ribbons at national quilt shows.
With my easy to follow instructions, beginning sewers to advanced quilters are encouraged to use individuality and experimentation and learn new skills for expression. Included in every pattern is a little art lesson. For more information on being creative, click here. I give suggestions for choosing colors, fabrics, and types of prints to help you get started.
In every machine applique pattern, I tell you how to set up the sewing machine and how to do all the special effects that were used in the quilts pictured. I assume that you know how to sew, but maybe have never made a quilt before.
You can make your project as complicated or as easy as you want by limiting (or duplicating) the number of designs you choose to use. Learn the techniques, so when you are ready to put 20 critters together, you will know what you are doing.
