Join our Sew Along, September is National Sewing Month

September is National Sewing Month and we want everyone to sew, of course using our great FreeSpirit Fabrics. Join Tula Pink, designer extraordianaire, as she hosts our Sew Along on BurdaStyle.com. We have joined forces with Coats & Clark (because all fabric needs thread, right?), for this month-long "sewfest" (September 1 - 30, 2011) featuring two projects made from Tula's Prince Charming; a skirt featuing learn-to-sew techniques and a lined dress with skills like an invisible zipper and embellishment work with thread.

Sign up here to receive email updates about the Sew Along. There will be something to learn for all skill levels -- a new idea or a sewing tip that will turn your projects into true "Prince Charmings" instead of frogs!

Congratulations to Tamie

Hey, we weren't kidding. Thanks for commenting on the Anna Maria Horner needle arts blog. We did selection one lucky person to receive one of the 9 spool size 8 Pearl Cotton collections and one of the six strand embroidery collections. Drum roll please . . . Tamie is the winner. Tamie commented, "I love to hand quilt." Congratulations to Tamie and keep on stitchin'.

Anna Needlearts giveaway at Stitched in Color

Fabric lets you meet the greatest and most creative people, like Rachel from Stitched in Color. She has been hosting an on-line tutorial called LouLouthi Tiles, featuring Anna's LouLouthi Fabric. The Anna Needlearts size 8 pearl cotton collections are the perfect compliment to her new fabric and just right for hand quilting. Now through Wednesday, July 27, visit Rachel's blog and comment to win a set of Anna's Pearl Cotton in either the Geranium Wall or Reflecting Pool colorways. But before you go, tell us about your hand stitching experiences and why you would love to receive one of Anna's new floss or pearl cotton collections. We just might pick a winner too.

Winners of Erin McMorris Summersault Selected

Thank you all for commenting on the Erin McMorris Summersault blog. Drum roll please . . . we randomly selected 5 winners to receive six, 1 yard cuts of Erin's new fabrics. We asked you to tell us about your favorite fabrics. Here are the winners:
tracy_a who loves Joel Dewberry Chestnuts
Michelle who says Swanky by Chez Moi is her favorite
lori adores Kaffe collective, Jane Sassaman, Anna Maria Horner, Tina Givens . . .
The Accidental Crafter is a newbie who got hooked at a Quilt Show
Patty fell in love with a wonderful piece of poppy fabric and can't cut into it

We love hearing from you and hope you share our blog with your friends. Congratulations to the winners and keep loving all those fabrics!

FreeSpirit Artist Nel Whatmore joins the Prince of Wales to celebrate 35 years of the Prince's Trust

When FreeSpirit artist Nel Whatmore first started painting, she was given a grant by The Prince's Trust, an organization started by HRH Prince Charles in 1976 to provide opportunities for less privledged youth in the UK.

Nel is an artist whose beautiful paintings have been translated into Coats' Maia brand tapestry and counted cross stitch kits and now fabric. Her first colleciton, Happy Go Lucky, was introduced in 2010. Her newest collection, Sleeping Beauty (due in September) is derived from her favorite childhood story and a series of paintings Nel did on the wall of her daughter's bedroom.

The Prince's Trust recently celebrated its 35th Anniversay. Gemma Arterton, Kevin Spacey, Rod Stewart, Jols Holland and Nel were among the charity ambassadors who gathered along with young people whom the Trust has helped. One person from each year since the trust has been going, including Nel, were invited to celebrate.

At the reception, Nel presented to Prince Charles the original painting "Devoted to You."

Comment to Win Summersault fabric by Erin McMorris

Colorful and whimsical, Summersault by Erin McMorris is the perfect fabric for summertime fun. Mini, bright abstract and geometric flowers compliment mod-looking larger florals and even bouquets of raindrops in the 30 cottons, 4 laminate and 6 sateen fabrics. Pair the cottons and laminates to make this patchy picnic blanket and carrier. The cotton top makes for a soft and comfy place to relax while the laminate botton protects it from mositure and makes it easy to clean. The laminate carrier adds to your style and convenience.

Want some free Erin McMorris Summersault fabric to make your own bright patchy blanket? Comment between now and July 18 about your favorite fabrics. Is there a story behind your favorite piece of fabric? Was it handed down to you from generations? Did you make something cherished out of it? Or perhaps you will never cut into it . . . we'd love to hear your stories. Leave a comment and you can be one of five winners of an assortment of six 1-yard cuts of Erin's Summersault cotton and laminate fabrics. Randomly selected winners will be notified by email.

Modern Quilt Guild Project Modern to be judge by Denyse Schmidt

If you haven't already, check out your local chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild. The Modern Quilt Guild is an online community of modern quilters. The local chapters also meet in person. Modern quilting is a new twist on the traditional art of quilting, perfect for showcasing FreeSpirit Fabrics!

Check out the groups latest challenge: Project Modern. It encourages you to make a quilt that is "all you," to stretch and push yourself to make something you have never made before.

Best part, our own Denyse Schmidt will judge the entries. Plus, we have donated one yard cuts of Denyse's Greenfield Hills fabric as part of the outstanding prize package.

Frog Tutorial

If you are in the mood for a fun project, here is a cute frog tutorial that will not take long and will be exciting to see come together. They are great gifts and can be a little friend in your office or at your desk. You can make them unique by using buttons or yo-yo's in creating their eyes. The photos use Jennifer Paganelli's fabrics but do not forget about the great frog fabrics in Tula Pinks collection! Thanks again to Melissa Peda for sending us another great tutorial!