fabric – Page 32 – the long thread

February 5, 2012February 5, 2012

Washi

Just made a quick little zippered pouch using Rashida’s new Washi fabric collection, inspired by patterned washi tape. I love this fabric, especially the bright colors here on the gray background. See all the patterns here. Available from your local quilt shop! And Sew, Mama, Sew! is having a sale this weekend — take 15% off through the end of the day today.

And I don’t know about you, but I really love old school metal zippers. They feel and sound better, though I know the plastic ones may function more smoothly.

And be sure to check out Rashida’s new book, Zakka Style: 24 Projects Stitched with Ease to Give, Use and Enjoy from C & T Publishing. Rashida compiled the book with simple and sweet projects from some of your favorite designers.

January 19, 2012January 19, 2012

Etc.

Quilt top by Rosie Lee Tompkins of Richmond, California. Quilted by Willia Ette Graham of Oakland in 1986. From Eli Leon’s collection, from the exhibition Who’d A Thought It: Improvisation in African-American Quiltmaking at the San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum.

Just thought I’d share a few links from around the internet. I’ve been thinking a lot about quilting, obviously. Why am I buying fabric, cutting it up and sewing it back together? That’s odd. So I’m thinking about necessity, hobby and art. People quilt for those reasons and many more, I’m sure.

I’ve also been thinking about quilting traditions and the differences in European style versus the folk art, improvisational style of rural American quilts made in places like Gee’s Bend. What I keep coming back to is the fact that when I see a beautiful, detailed and perfect quilt, I am amazed by the technical skill of the maker. But when I see a graphic, improvisational quilt, I often have a strong visceral response. I think any argument about which quilts and styles are better than others is nonsense. Everyone should make what they want for their own reasons.

I thought this article comparing improvisational quilts to jazz was really interesting.

And in unrelated news…

If you are thinking about trying to publish a craft book, Kathreen’s series over on Whip Up is full of helpful tips and guidance.

I’ve enjoyed reading the Reflections and Predictions series over at Sew, Mama, Sew! If you missed it, it’s worthwhile to go back and check it out.

A college friend and photographer, Kathleen Robbins, has an achingly beautiful photography project featured on NPR, called In Cotton.

And I thought I’d mention the internet piracy bills again. It’s worth educating yourself about this topic and speaking out if you feel so inclined. Although SOPA appears to be dead, this will continue to be an issue and we should pay attention.

And if you live in Atlanta:

the beehive is having its giant warehouse sale this weekend, so go check that out. I love this shop and so glad to see local, handmade things close to home.

Speaking of, Youngblood Gallery is having a nice show of local artists in February, and of course they always feature great artists in their shop.

The new fabric collection, Washi, from Rashida Coleman-Hale, is popping up in fabric stores. You can head over to Intown Quilters to check it out.

December 7, 2011December 8, 2011

Moda Designer Blog Hop

Today I’m excited to be part of the Moda Designer Blog Hop! If you read this blog regularly, you’ll know that I have a fabric collection called Quilt Blocks that will be available in stores in April. If you’ve just found The Long Thread through the Moda blog hop, be sure to check out my book, 1, 2, 3 Sew.

For the blog hop, each participating Moda designer is sharing a quilt block and a recipe on their blog. My contribution is the quilt block above and a recipe for Honey Pound Cake. The 12″ block uses some of the fabrics that will be available in the spring, but I just had strike-offs to work with, so the colors may be slightly different. It’s a straightforward block using three different fabrics, and would work well with solids or any pattern.

As a Southerner, I’ve always been a big fan of pound cake and its versatility. You can serve it with fruit, ice cream, whipped cream, or just on its own with coffee. Pound cake freezes well and makes a nice holiday gift. You could make this drawstring gift bag for a loaf of pound cake to make it extra special.

Just click on the image below to print the .pdf file with the recipe and block instructions. Happy Holidays!

Follow along with the other stops on the Moda Designer Blog Hop. Here’s the full tour schedule:

Monday, December 5th:

Tuesday, December 6th:

Wednesday, December 7th:

The Long Thread

Thursday, December 8th:

Camille Roskelley

Kathy Schmitz

Laundry Basket Quilts

Kate Spain

Primitive Gatherings

Friday, December 9th:

Making and Organizing

Well, I made some progress on my sewing room. I folded fabric on some existing shelves using chipboard as you can see on the left here. I think the vertical filing will work out much better than my previous piles, but it’s the putting things back in their proper place that’s the real problem, isn’t it? When I had a desk job, I always cleaned and organized papers on Friday afternoons before I went home, but being at home all the time, my sewing room is always disorganized. In addition to the existing shelves, I bought a bookshelf from IKEA for notions, boxes and baskets, and hung a pegboard. Then I painted our old CD shelf (above, right) for fat quarters and half yards. Now my husband has to go through all his CDs that I boxed up. Out with the old.

But of course before I finished organizing, I’ve started sewing again. Making a baby quilt, possibly two of them.

And to make you feel better if you haven’t been organized lately, here’s the basket of fabric bits yet to be folded and put away.

Next, I need to add a design wall and figure out a nice way to store an ironing board. Do you quilters out there have any ideas for a design wall that looks good? I was thinking of just wrapping some white flannel around a large frame and hanging it on the wall, but that still doesn’t sound so great. I’d love to hear your ideas.

October 30, 2011October 31, 2011

Quilt Market

If you’re not familiar with Quilt Market, it’s the semiannual event where fabric and quilting notions manufacturers bring their new lines to sell to retailers. I just got back from Houston today, and I am worn out and hoarse from talking way too much. This was my first quilt market and the best part was meeting so many great people! It was somewhat overwhelming. You can see my bit of the Moda booth above with a quilt that I designed and Moda had sewn for me. Thanks to Moda for helping me out with that one! You can see all the prints in my Quilt Blocks collection in an earlier post here. The fabric will be shipping to stores in April 2012.

There were so many beautiful new fabric collections that I couldn’t begin to list them all here, but I will give you a few of my favorites. First, at the Moda booth, I was thrilled to meet all the great designers, who are as nice as they are talented. And it was exciting to be a new designer along with two incredible artists, Malka Dubrawsky and Lucie Summers. Both have fantastic new collections.

Lucie’s collection features the designs that you’ve seen on her fabulous screenprinted fabric in her Etsy shop, Summersville. And I’m so excited to buy and use this fabric!

And Malka’s collection captures the look of her vibrant batik fabrics. I think this fabric will sell like crazy.

As always, I love everything that Cloud 9 Fabrics produces and I was delighted to see their adorable new Ed Emberley collection, as you can see below. They also have some other fabulous things coming soon. Gina and Michelle are two smart women who are doing such a terrific job with their business.

Melody Miller‘s new collection for Kokka is fantastic, as usual. How cute are those typewriters with hearts?

Here are some photos that I took at Market, but I missed lots of booths and didn’t get to meet everyone.

Betz White and her new Stitch collection, Cynthia & Jason Mann of Birch Fabrics, Julie Comstock of Cosmo Cricket with Lucie Summers and Malka Dubrawsky, a play tent in the Cloud 9 Fabrics booth, Deborah Moebes with Jenean Morrison and Lizzy House, Carrie Bloomston of Such Designs.