FreeSpirit Fabric

Design Challenge Garments Revealed, Vote for your Favorite

2012-01-27T17:41:00.000-05:00

Ta Da! Today, on AM Northwest television show, four up and coming fashion designers unveiled their fashion creations as part of the show's six week Design Challenge. Each week the designers will be given a new challenge and judged by a panel of experts including sewing expert Patti Palmer. The "project runway" type competition is sponsored by Fabric Depot and featured FreeSpirit and Rowan fabrics. FreeSpirit designerValori Wells appeared as a guest judge today.

Amy, sun dress with cape was created from FreeSpirit Power Pop collection by Jenean Morrison; Power Pinkerton PWJM057 Orange, Radio City PWJM051 Orange and Sweet PWJM052 Strawberry

Gerry's beach inspired ensemble of shorts, halter top featuring a Celtic knot detail and short jacket used FreeSpirit Tea Cakes by Verna Mosquera; Sugary Stripe VM34 Blue Eyes and a voile from FreeSpirit Wrenly by Valori Wells; Wildfield VVW07 Cobalt.

Natalya's red-carpet worthy look of a two-piece ensemble pencil skirt and midrif top was made from FreeSpirit Happiness by Kathy Davis; Sugar Snaps PWKD036 Indigo and Rowan Premier Lord by Dan Bennett; Fan PWDB012 Blue and Maize PWDB011 Green.

Lindsay created straight leg print pants with fitted shirt and accent headand using Rowan's Kaffe Fassett Babaganoush PWGP124 in Umber, Philip Jacobs Begonia Columns PJ44 Grey and Premier Lord by Dan Bennett Fan PWDB012 Black.

Vote for your favorite by clicking here. The winner will receive overall grand prize of a Pfaff sewing machine and other sewing-related prizes.

Hear Denyse Schmidt on American Patchwork & Quilting Radio

2012-01-26T10:02:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars and get ready for some "me" time. FreeSpirit designer Denyse Schmidt, the mother of modern quilting, will be a guest on Pat Sloan's upcoming American Patchwork & Quiltnig internet radio show. The live interview will be Monday, January 30 at 4 PM EST. Denyse will talk about the relaunch of her FreeSpirit Legacy Collection Flea Market Fancy as well as her upcoming book, Denyse Schmidt: Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration. You can listen to the podcast on your computer, subscribe by iTunes (search American Patchwork & Quilting), or download to a player. For more information click here.

Fabrics featured on AM Northwest Design Challenge

2012-01-23T21:18:00.000-05:00

Fabric Depot, Portland, OR, has partnered with KATU-TV and its AM Northwest show to sponsor Design Challenge. Four up and coming designers from The Art Institute in Portland, were selected to cut, drape, pin, style and sew a collection of six garments in as many weeks based on weekly challenges. Sewing expert, American Sewing Guild Honoree and Portland native Patti Palmer, owner of Palmer/Pletsch, introduces the weekly challenge and is also one of the judges.

This week, the designers were challenged to select three prints from FreeSpirit or Rowan fabrics along with a McCall's Pattern and told . . . make it work. Judging for this weeks challenge will be on Friday and FreeSprit Designer Valori Wells will be on hand as a guest judge. Viewers can weigh in and select their favorite garment as the designers will vie for an overall grand prize of a Pfaff sewing machine and other sewing-related prizes including a Viewer's Choice award. Stay tuned, as we follow their progress and fabric selections this week!

Drum Roll Please . . . . And the winners are?

2012-01-23T08:46:00.001-05:00

FreeSpirit, Early Birds by Jane Sassaman

Congratulations to the winners of Jane Sassaman's Early Bird fabric. You will receive from FreeSpirit six, one yard cuts as well as two of Jane's Sillouhette patterns, all for your creative pleasure. We'd love to see what you create with this bold, bright fun fabric. Or if it happens to become part of your stash, send a photo of it on a shelf. We will still be inspired. So, without further adieu here are the winners:

Andrea from California

Jenny from Fort Wayne, IN

Nikki Lee from Plympton, MA

SewLindaAnn from Roswell, GA

Next order of business, we promised on Friday anyone who got friends or family to follow us to reach a milestone of 400 followers could win one of our beautiful, four color catalogs. Well all five commentators who helped to push us over 400 will get this gorgeous publication in the mail. Hopefully all those fantastic fabrics will inspire you to get even more creative.

Stay tuned, February features our yet-to-be revealed Parson Gray and Curious Nature. Please continue to share the love . . . we want to keep you quilting, sewing and crafting with FreeSpirit Fabrics.

Come on we are so close!

2012-01-20T08:36:00.001-05:00

Hey all you FreeSpirit Blog followers. We are lovin' that you are following us and we promise lots of goodies this year. We are so close to 400 followers. Come on now and spread the word and ask your friends and family to follow us. For today only, post a comment as to who you got to follow us and we will select one random person to receive our beautiful Fall 2011 catalog as featured in the post below. Thanks for your help!

Eye Candy and Sunshine from Dena Designs

2012-01-19T08:38:00.000-05:00

Just a bit of inspiration for you and Sunshine to brighten your wintery day. Dena Designs brings to FreeSpirit her bright stylings in a 55% Linen, 45% Cotton blend collection of 30 skus. Can't you picture a summery dress for you and your daughter or grandaughter, airy curtains for your kitchen window or a light throw for your shabby chic decor? Hmmmm, why not let a little Sunshine into your day!

Whoo Hoo Monday Mania Fabric Giveway! Win Jane Sassaman Early Birds Cotton

2012-01-16T10:31:00.001-05:00

As promised, today is the third installment in our FreeSpirit Jane Sassaman trilogy. Now it is time for you to comment to win. Jane inspires us with her beautiful art quilts, bold use of color and love of fabric. If you were to win six, one yard cuts of Jane's Early Bird fabric, what would you make? To accompany the fabric, we will also send you two of Jane's Simple Silhouette patterns to inspire you and get you quilting. Comment by midnight January 21 and be one of four selected to receive from FreeSpirit Fabrics, Early Bird cotton. Winners will be posted on the blog on Monday, January 23. Share this post with friends and family, we love to hear your comments.

Plum

Strawberry

Blueberry

Feast Your Eyes on our Fall Catalog!

2012-01-12T14:04:00.001-05:00

Do you need to find just the right fabric for all of your New Year's projects you have lined up? Well HERE you can browse our full Westminster Lifestyle Fabrics Fall 2011 Catalog. You can spend hours drooling over your favorite designers such as Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler and Valori Wells and also discover some of our new designers like Parson Gray and The Victoria and Albert Museum you are not yet familiar with.

Check back on our full Scribd site to find other collateral that you might enjoy. There is much eye candy that is sure to get your creative juices flowing for all of your upcoming Lifestyle projects!

Jane Sassaman's Free Tutorial and Video!

2012-01-09T15:34:00.002-05:00

Need a break? Well take a little time and create this great tutorial called Break Buddy. It is the perfect little accessory for your mid-day break. Fill it with tea or coffee packets to give you that little boost you need! Melissa Peda brought us this great tutorial made out of Jane Sassaman's collection, Early Birds. Remember, everyone needs a little break during their busy day!

Enjoy this video where Jane goes in to detail about her new collection.

Jane Sassaman; Classic looks in today's fabrics

2012-01-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

FreeSpirit Designer Jane Sassaman working in her studio.

Hello, everyone! I'm Jane Sassaman and I design fabric for FreeSpirit. This has been a dream job for a gal who has also been a quilter and a sewer for so many years. Designing the fabric is only half the fun. After the textiles are printed, I also get to "fondle fabric" to my hearts content and share the fabric's potential with all of you!

Classic Apron Pattern

My FreeSpirit designs, like my art quilts, are bold, graphic and colorful. They are designed to be "art by the yard". And, of course, ideal for all kinds of creative sewing and decorating projects.

Stitchers and designers are always collecting ideas and patterns to make. We found this classic apron pattern in a local antique mall. You can see that it was well loved in it's former life, too. Can't you imagine Joan Crawford, as Mildred Pierce, in this wonderful cover-up?

Pocket detail

So here is a contemporary version made with my current FreeSpirit collection, Early Birds. Modeled by Elizabeth and Christina and sewn by their Mom and my favorite helper, Susan Tempin, this is one of the latest creations to come from the Sassaman studioI love how nicely the fabrics play together. The apron on the right is made with Cheeky Checks and Prairie Poppies in the Blueberry colorway. Susan did a masterful job matching the plaids. The one on the left is made with Poka Dots and Strawberry Serenade in the Plum pallet. The rick rack makes a wonderful trim which harkens back to 1950 when the pattern was published.

The details on the back are delightful with covered buttons on the back strap and the generous bow ties. This classic pattern reinterpreted in contemporary fabric makes a winning combination. It just shows that a good thing can get even better!

PS...To read more about Jane's design process see the October/November 2011 issue of Quilter's Newsletter. You can also visit her website and blog to keep up with more Early Bird ideas.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-30T14:58:00.000-05:00

Time to celebrate and get ready for 2012. What do you have on your agenda for New Years Eve? Maybe you are going to sew up some festive placemats and napkins to don your New Year's table. Please join us in 2012 when some of your favorite designers will be guest bloggers. Their blog will be following by a tutorial and then some great giveaways for those who comment. Tell your friends to follow us as the fun begins next week with our own Jane Sassaman. Here's your chance to hear straight from our designers and to become a part of their creativity. Happy New Year from your friends at FreeSpirit!

A Stocking Stuffer Tutorial

2011-12-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for that last little gift to put in a stocking, or you wanted to make a little something to put on top of a present, this is a great Mini Gigi Pincushion tutorial! Melissa from 100BillionStars has brought us another great tutorial that you are going to enjoy. So grab your favorite FreeSpirit fabrics and start sewing to have these pincushions in time for the holidays.

Also, don't forget about our Mini Tree Skirt tutorial. Another fun holiday project!

Story Telling is part of David Walker's Fabric; Get Together in stores in December

2011-11-28T09:01:00.001-05:00

If the whimsical, ingenuous art of David Walker speaks to you, it is probably because David intends for it to tell a story. His light-hearted take on life translates into fun, juvenile prints perfect for any sewing, quilting or crafting aficionado. His youthful drawings are born from his past when he was the art director for Hallmark Cards.

“I had always assumed my art would take a more ‘serious’ direction, but after working so closely with the wildly talented artists at Hallmark, I realized I enjoyed the freedom that comes with a more whimsical style,” said David.

David found his fun, youthful style leading his career down a “let it go where it goes” career path of greeting cards, gift wrap, calendars, scrapbooking and now illustrating children’s books. Inspiration for his joyful designs comes from everywhere.

“From product packaging to the two large slightly annoying dogs who share my office, if your mind is open, you can find inspiration just about anywhere. If it catches my eye, captures my attention, it is worth a second look,” said David.

Get Together Corduroy

This includes his new line from FreeSpirit, Get Together (26 cotton and 9 corduroy SKUs, available December 2011). Adorable squirrels, fun-loving bears and cuter then cute pigs. This collection was inspired by a cut paper design; fold over the paper, cut the design, unfold the paper and voila, a large, connected pattern. According to David, the idea was simpler with paper and scissors but he is certain the animals scattered across the fabric will craft into charming children’s clothes, dog beds, homedécor items and everything in between.

So what’s next for this artist who confesses to have moved from St. Louis, MO to ChapelHill, NC after only a two day visit? “Ihave several new children’s book releasingthis Fall and Winter that will be available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, but the big news is I’m planning to sell some of my original art for the first time ever starting in Spring 2012”. Watch for more information on davidwalkerstudios.com.

Where do you create?

2011-11-21T08:25:00.001-05:00

Wouldn't you love to tour the studios of our FreeSpirit Designers? One can only imagine their space as bright, insipiring, organized with all the right tools in all the right places and full of beautiful fabrics, threads, fibers and more. Now you can take a peak at Anna Maria Horner's Studio in the Winter issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studios. Anna just recently rennovated her studio, making it her dedicated space to think, draw, create, sew and just be Anna. Visit Cloth Paper Scissors Studios blog and comment to win some of Anna's fibertastic goodies.

Fabulous Friday . . . Where Women Create!

2011-11-18T15:46:00.001-05:00

Tis' the season to get creative. FreeSpirit has partnered with the good folks at Ellison and Where Women Create to offer you a chance at winning an early Holiday gift. Click here to read more and comment about what you would make with FreeSpirit Designer Essential Solids and Dena Design Taza bundles and a Sizzix® Big Shot™ machine and dies. One lucky winner will be selected.

Joel Dewberry Heirloom Featured on Sew4Home

2011-11-16T09:14:00.001-05:00

Our friends at Sew4Home have done it again. Take a look at their Joel Dewberry extravaganza. An interview with the very talented designer. Plenty of project ideas using his newest FreeSpirit collection Heirloom. All culminating with a fantabulous giveaway from us, FreeSpirit. Best part, the projects have a Thanksgiving "feel," just in time for decorating your Holiday table. Afterall, don't we have a lot beautiful fabrics to be thankful for? We are also thankful for you, too. To show our thanks, tell us what you are thankful for and we will select 4 random winners to receive cuts of Joel's Heirloom fabric.

Blue Nickel Studio's Uberfest features Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty

2011-10-02T19:39:00.006-04:00

Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty is being featured in a Quilt Uberfest happening now through October 16 and hosted by Blue Nickel Studios. A rather impressive list of bloggers are participating. Each day visit the specific site as noted below and find a 12” finished original block designed to work with each other or for you to create a sampler quilt or to simply create what ever inspires you. A Flickr page is set up for you to share your blocks.

In the meantime, take a moment and read about Nel and what inspires her art, fabric and other needlecraft products.

Uberfest Bloggers -- visit, quilt, have fun!
Oct 1 John Adams

Oct 2 Kaye Prince

Oct 3 Karen Linton

Oct 4 Konda Luckau

Oct 5 Amy Lobsiger

Oct 6 Ryan Walsh

Oct 7 Scott Hansen

Oct 8 April Rosenthal

Oct 9 Cara Wilson

Oct 10 Heather Jones

Oct 11 Susan Sobon

Oct 12 Jan Peoples

Oct 13 Erin Singleton

Oct 14 Charlie Scott

Oct 15 Emily Cier

Oct 16 Rachel Locke
If you are going to Uber it up and join in the fun, comment below. We will give away six, one yard cuts of Nel's Sleeping Beauty to two randomly selected commentors. So oomp pa pa your way to your sewing machine and get creative with Nel's Sleeping Beauty, richly colored and dreamy like the fairy tell . . . perfect for a fall Quilt Uberfest!

Back to School Winners

2011-09-19T20:18:00.002-04:00

Thanks for your comments on the Back to School Party. Four winners have been selected to receive a Taza, by Dena Fishbein, Fat Quarter. The winners are . . . drumroll please, Debi, Carrie P, Marcia W and Amorette. We will be contacting you by email. Congratulations! We hope your Taza Fat Quarters will inspire you to quilt along!

Back to School Party with Taza by Dena Designs

2011-09-07T10:17:00.007-04:00

The kids are back in school and now it is time to focus on what you love; quilting of course. Quiltmaker magazine is hosting a Back To School Party, offering a free pattern in bite-sized morsels and then guiding you with a sew along to create a throw-size quilt called Dozens of Daisies.

Each weekday from Sept. 8 to 16, join Quiltmaker's blog, Quilty Pleasures, for tips and techniques and giveaways galore!

Taza, the newest fabric collection from Dena Designs, will be featured Friday, September 9.

Take pictures of your creation along the way or comment here on the FreeSpirit blog about the fun you're having. We are joining the party too. If you comment between now and September 16, you may be chosen as one of four winners to receive fat quarter bundles of Taza. So, join the party and let us know if you are creating with Quilty Pleasures!

Times a wastin'! Join our Sew Along on September 1

2011-08-24T21:19:00.008-04:00

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Sewing Month then by joining the FreeSpirit Fabrics and Coats & Clark Sew Along starting September 1 at BurdaStyle.com.

Hosted by designer Tula Pink, each week in September BurdaStyle will be posting new steps, tips and techniques to guide you through creating a Skirt with Front Pleats and a Halter Dress!

Learn new techniques like zipper piping and decorative thread applique or working with fun fabric like Tula Pink’s Prince Charming from FreeSpirit.

So if you’ve decided to join, fantastic. Invite a friend because sewing with a friend is always way more fun! If you are still on the fence, well, Tula says, “You’re going to miss the part-ay!”

Owl Softie Free Pattern

2011-08-18T10:15:00.005-04:00

Want a great way to use up some of those FreeSpirit scraps around the house? This is a great tutorial for that and is a hoot to make! We used Jennifer Paganelli's fabrics to make up this owl but we would love to hear what favorite FreeSpirit fabrics you have used. Thanks to Melissa from 100 Billion Stars for bringing us this great tutorial. Enjoy!

Anna Maria Horner free hand work project download on Sew4Home

2011-08-14T20:57:00.004-04:00

Anna Maria Horner is currently featured on Sew4Home as part of the FreeSpirit Artist Trilogy. Here she shares with Sew4Home readers instructions on how to hand stitch a beautiful table runner using her new Anna Needleworks embroidery floss and size 8 pearl cotton. Anna recently introduced two six strand embroidery floss and two size 8 pearl cotton collections in colors hand picked to match her LouLouthi fabric line. Anna is leading a resurgence in hand stitching; a relaxing and portable creative outlet.

Heather Bailey and Where Women Create

2011-08-01T22:08:00.007-04:00

Where Women Create is a magazine that explores the studio space of extraordinary artistic women. The newest issue, on sale August 1, features Heather Bailey on the cover! Step inside Heather's creative space which is very much a part of her life and her family. Plus, in a tribute to Heather's true entreprenuerial know-how, she will be a featured speaker at the Creative Connection, September 15-17 in St. Paul, MN. Visit the Creative Connection blog where you can comment to win six, 1-yard cuts of Heather's newest fabric collection Garden District in cotton sateens and canvas. Garden District will be at your favorite fabric retailer this month.

Join our Sew Along, September is National Sewing Month

2011-07-28T08:28:00.003-04:00

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

2011-07-28T08:21:00.003-04:00

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

2011-07-25T12:37:00.005-04:00

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

2011-07-18T17:04:00.004-04:00

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

2011-07-18T09:25:00.009-04:00

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

2011-07-10T20:26:00.021-04:00

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

2011-07-08T09:19:00.007-04:00

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

2011-07-06T10:42:00.007-04:00

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!

All those beautiful fabrics, just click!

2011-06-20T20:57:00.004-04:00

Now you can page through the Spring 2011 Westminster Lifestyle Fabric's catalog online. Simply click here to view our full-color 240 page book full of beautiful Rowan and FreeSpirit fabrics. Once you're done feasting your eyes on the likes of Amy Butler's Organic Soul, Tula Pink's Prince Charming and Heather Bailey's Garden District, check out the Designer's own brochures as well as project ideas. There's so much to see, you can spend hours flipping through, dreaming and becoming inspired!

Make a fun summer hat from Jenaveve Linen

2011-06-16T09:41:00.004-04:00

Here is a fun summer hat you can make using Valori Wells' 100% Cotton Linen Jenaveve. It's featured in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, on sale now. Compliment the hat with a linen sundress or walking shorts. Other great ideas can be found in Val and Jean Wells' book Jenaveve.

Meet Mark Cesarik and make his Calypso Swing Flower Arrangement

2011-06-07T19:41:00.010-04:00

A surface designer and fine artist, Mark Cesarik started designing fabrics to satisfy his wife Cara's desire for "just the right fabric." Together, they started Sew Bettie, a collection of kitchy designs printed by Spoonflower. Plenty of great exposure later, such as mentions in the New York Times and the popular site Design Sponge, FreeSpirit enlisted Mark to join its ranks with his first colleciton Calypso Swing, delivered January 2011.

Mark and Cara recently attended their first Quilt Market. Cara, a true "sewist" and a up and coming resident at a hospital in New York City, made samples for their booth. Being resourceful, and a very "with it" couple, they enlisted Etsy.com sewers to get creative with Calypso Swing. The results were specatcular including this incredible dress made from MC08 Gray.

Even more specatular was the great center piece on Mark's table, designed and sewn by Cara. This floral arrangment, made entirely from Mark's fabric would be a great centerpiece at a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower or just gracing your dining room table. Make the Calypso Swing centerpiece by clicking here.

While you are there, click around. You'll be surprised at what you can find.

Watch for Mark's next collection Morning Tides due out in August.

Pernilla's Journey by Tina Givens

2011-06-01T19:03:00.001-04:00

If you haven't already taken a look at Pernilla's Journey by Tina Givens, here's your chance. This collection is inspired by one of Tina's favorite childhood books about a young girl who lived in a Parrot Jungle. Through Pernilla's journey she encounters exotic animals, brilliant gardens and fountain pools. This whimsical collection emulate's Tina's light and hopeful style with elephant's lightly parading across the width of the fabric and seahorses dancing in the middle of medalions. Pernilla's Journey is available in 100% cotton and a linen cotton in three colorways; licorice cloud, cotton candy and sweet treats. It is easy to see Tina's imaginative, artistic memories of Pernilla's journey.

Citrus Star

2011-05-26T20:49:00.003-04:00

Here's a solids story that will brighten your day or your room. Quiltmaker's July/August issue features a cheerful, really beautiful quilt made from our FreeSpirit Designer Essentials. It's amazing how combining bright, vibrant, solid hues can make such an uplifting statement. Imagine this quilt in a warm solid or cool solid palette. Color can be the single most influential element in changing the look of your quilt and a room.

Anna Maria's LouLouthi and New Needleworks

2011-05-24T15:06:00.005-04:00

Introduced at Quilt Market was Anna Maria Horner's new collection of fabric, LouLouthi, and her new needleworks collection. Watch this interview with Kris and Kim from DIY Dish. Anna takes you through her needleworks collection, the inspiration behind her new line, her new patterns and a bit of what inspires her.

To Market, To Market

2011-05-22T20:11:00.037-04:00

Phew! Another Spring International Quilt Market has come and gone and we are certain you are going to love, love, love the fabrics we have created with our Designer's. This market found some of your favorite designers introducing new substrates, new designs, new Lifestyle products plus new patterns and books. So much newness, you will be overwhelmingly inspired to sew, quilt, organize and hand stitch everything you own.

For instance, Anna Maria Horner introduced her LouLouthi line. Greek for the name flower, LouLouthi includes cottons, voiles, laminates and her special new needlework (printed cross stitch) fabric. To go along with these gorgeous fabrics whose colorways are named after her daughters, are her four collections of hand-picked colors of size 8 Anchor Pearl Cottons and six-strand Anchor embroidery flosses as well as fabric covered sewing and lifestyle covered craft boxes. Edging all of this, were spools of LouLouthi single-fold bias binding in 1 1/8" and 2 1/4" widths, perfect for easily binding a quilt or edging any sewing project. All these new products deserved a celebration . . . cupcakes iced in the perfect LouLouthi colors, of course.

Leaping into our hearts, and almost certain yours is Tula Pink's Prince C harming. Now you don't have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your true Prince Charming,Tula has done that for you. Do, though, look for Tula's signature hidden surprises in her new collection. By the way, Tula's booth won an award for best decorated single booth.

Verna Mosquera's Tea Cakes created the perfect tea party atmosphere. Complete with cupcake pin cushions and appliqued candy canes and sweet treats, Tea Cakes will give you that feminine touch.

Valo ri Wells once again wows us with her Wrenly Collection. Showing these cottons, sateens and voiles in a comfy suite-like setting, you'll love the clean bold prints and all over florals. Wrenly is also great for combining with Val's linen collection Jenaveve.

New FreeSpirit designer Mark Cesarik enlisted Etsy sewers to create a special occassion dress as well as children's clothing, purses, tote bags and more to display in Calypso Sw ing fabricated booth. Mark also introduced a second collection Morning Tides due out in July.

Rowan designer Amy Butler brought new popular Soul Blossom collection to market in some gorgeous new substrates; rayon, corduroy, voile and organic cotton. Each of these new substrates are incredibly soft, including the corduroy, perfect for clothing or a summer quilt.

Joel and Laurie Dewberry were on hand to introduce Joel's new Heirloom collection, available in cotton, sateen, laminate and voile. Laurie designed fashionable patterns to accompany this beautiful collection which is Joel's take on his mother's, famous crafter Donna Dewberry, signature flower, the cabbage rose.

Also on hand to promote their fabrics where Jennifer Paganelli who also launched her new book A Girl's world; Erin McMorris with her colorful Summersault fabrics and Jenenean Morrison's retro-looking Silent Cinema.

Pernilla's Journey from Tina Givens was introduced. Featuing whimsical sea horses and child like elephants, Tina's new cotton and linen collection was inspired by a story book she used to read over and over when she was a child.

Heather Bailey introduced a new substrate, canvas, in her Garden District collection. The canvas is a nice weight suitable for home dec projects. Also in sateen, Garden District will be available in August.

But that's not all. George Mendoza's Color of the Wind, Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty, Jazz City from Art of Possibilities, Dena Fishbein's Taza, Donna Dewberry's Glorious Garden plus two Holiday collections; Kathy Davis Ambrosia and Dena Fishbein's Kumari Holiday were some of the other collections seen on fabric for the first time at Market.

Rounding out these awesome collections were a plethora of finished products including Designer Essential fabric bundles and T y Pennington Impress ions fabric kits, panels and lifestyle fabric covered boxes.

It was a hetic but very exciting three days and we wish all of you could have been there to meet our designers, shop the show and just have plain old quilting fun!

FreeSpirit Artist Trio Sew4Home; Silent Cinema Giveaway

2011-05-03T22:24:00.005-04:00

FreeSpirit has joined forces with Sew4Home to share with their readers our designer's incredible talents; what inspires their fabric collections, a tutorial and then a giveaway. Last month, Jenean Morrison was featured along with a pillow tutorial using her new collection Silent Cinema. To culminate the Silent Cinema series, we are giving away a FreeSpirit gift pack including one yard cuts of every cotton fabric in the Silent Cinema collection. Visit Sew4Home now through May 27 and leave an artistic comment on the giveaway posting. One random winner will be chosen. Winner must be from the USA. It is a a bag full of goodies for anyone who loves fabric, quilting and sewing! Make a comment today on Sew4Home.

Congratulations! Five winners selected

2011-05-01T12:04:00.007-04:00

Congratulations to Cara, MamaT, CarrieP, Rebecca and Kaholly who commented on our post about Karen Gray's shop and each won the newest issue of Quilt Sampler signed by Karen. You should be receiving an email from us asking for your mailing address. Thank you all for your comments. We love hearing from you. Great quilt shops inspire our creativity and wrapped their arms around us in friendship . . . kind of like a quilt. Please look for the newest issue of Quilt Sampler on sale now. It's a keeper. Here is one last look at Karen's shop!

Karen Gray Design featured in Spring issue of Quilt Sampler magazine

2011-04-24T14:14:00.020-04:00

Congrats to Karen Gray Design in Winston-Salem, NC, who is featured in the Spring Issue of Better Homes & Garden's Quilt Sampler magazine. Quilt Sampler is published twice a year and is considered the ultimate shop hop, bringing you unique quilt shops to visit either through the pages of the magazines or as your travel plans permit.
Karen's shop is located in the Dairy Barn on the old R. J. Reynolds estate. Bright and trendy, the chandeliered-shop exclusively sells Rowan and FreeSpirit fabrics. It is apparent why Karen's customers find solace in the yards of fabric and open atmosphere at the shop. Creative sewing classes, from beginning quilting to apparel sewing, happen right on the sales floor and inspire her customers to create beyond their sewing comfort zones. A place for fun and fellowship, Karen's shop is a gathering place for all those who love fabric.

In addition to being a featured shop, Karen also designed projects for the issue. Here is a photo of her featured quilt.

We'd love to hear about your favorite quilt shop, whether in your home town or one you have visited as you traveled. Comment by Friday, April 30 and win one of five copies signed by Karen of the new Spring issue of Quilt Sampler magazine. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 3.

Take a look at these photos from Karen's shop and if you find yourself in the neighborhood, stop by . . . Karen will show you her fabric stash! Enjoy!

The bags have it -- One Pattern, Different Fabrics

2011-04-21T18:21:00.006-04:00

Fabrics change the look of everything. If your den needs refreshed, simply sew up some pillows in brightly colored fabrics. Don't like that skirt in gray? Make your own out of fabric that speaks to you and add a bit of confidence to your walk.

The ladies at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, producers of high-qaulity sewing and quilting consumer shows, took the plunge and decided to dust off their sewing machines, engage with some beautiful Rowan and FreeSpirit fabrics and a fun Kwik Sew pattern, Metro bag 3805.

The results are as unique as the ladies themselves. Best part, one of the creators had not sewn in quite some time. Making the bag, she says has got her wondering. How many of us have the skill to sew, used to have mutliple projects in the works but somehow sewing has lapsed in our memories. Great fabric and nicely designed patterns are a source of inspiration . . . and a bit of comraderie sure does help.

Why not challenge yourself and your friends to take fabric, thread and a pattern or two, and compare the results. Not only will you end up with a great new bag, outfit or quilt, but you'll have great fun in the process!

The Art Quilt Gallery Opens; Exclusively focused on quilts

2011-04-13T21:31:00.005-04:00

Next time you are in New York City, stop by The Art Quilt Gallery, a brand new gallery exclusively focused on a single art form; quilts. The premier exhibit running now through May 27 is Daphne Taylor's Line Drawin gs. The opening of the gallery and Daphne's exhibit was attended by media, potential art buyers, friends, art quilt colleauges and such well known names in the industry like Paula Nadelstern. According to Cathy Izzo, co-owner of City Quilter and gallery director, "The group in attendance was very enthusiastic and we even sold our first piece of art."

On May 3, Daphne will be giving a lecture at the gallery on the inspiration and influences behind her art. Trained as a painter, she has always drawn and sewn. For her, it was a conscious decision to leave painting and study the tradition of quilt making as her creative expression.

Next for The Art Quilt Gallery is a show of works by Noriko Endo, who Impressionist Quilts will be featured from June 16-August 6.

Click here to view photos from the Gallery opening.

On The Road, Quilt Shops for your Travel Plans

2011-04-11T21:58:00.013-04:00

Our sales manager, Mike Roberts, has been traveling in New England to quilt shops which feature our FreeSpirit and Rowan fabrics. We thought you might like to see photos from some of the shops. As you plan your vacation, perhaps your travel plans may find you driving past one of these shops. Or, you can always detour just to visit and add to your stash. After all, you can never have too much fabric.

Pictured left is the Water Wheel House in Londonberry, Vermont.

These photos are from Stitched in Williston, VT.

One last stop. J P Knit & Stitch, Jamaica Plain, MA.

On-line Sewing Tutorial featuring Jennifer Paganelli

2011-04-07T21:10:00.003-04:00

Rick-Rack: Thread-Therapy for Sewers kicks off its new season of affordable on-line sewing video tutorials with a class featuring the incredibly talented FreeSpirit designer Jennifer Paganelli.

The on-line class is Mary Fancy's Sash Dress featured on the cover of Jennifer's newly released book Girl's World , 21 sewing projects to make for little girls (Chronicle Books).

Register today through May 12, 2011 and join Jennifer and Girl's World pattern maker and sewing expert Dolin O'Shea on May 15, 2011 for this exciting on-line sewing video tutorial. What you will learn:

How to make a child size dress with a sash.

How to fold, cut and press single fold bias tape.

How to gather a skirt into a bodice.

Cover your Kindle! Free Tutorial!

2011-04-07T12:39:00.003-04:00

If you are a Kindle user, this is the project for you! Melissa from 100 Billion Stars has put together this great tutorial that will ensure your Kindle stays safe in a very cute way. Most people don't just sit at home reading on their Kindle, but like to take it to the airport, use it on the beach and in the park. This case makes it so easy to throw in your bag without the Kindle being damaged or scratched! It is such an easy project that you can make it in several different fabrics and colorways to match each of your bags! You can also embellish it with decorative buttons and beads which really makes it unique and an expression of your style. So check out the tutorial and enjoy!

Jenean Morrsion Featured on Sew4Home

2011-04-05T08:41:00.004-04:00

FreeSpirit artist Jenean Morrison is featured on the daily website dedicated to stylish home decor sewing, Sew4Home. This is the first in our Artist Trio with the good people at Sew4Home. Read how Jenean's artwork is on everything from rugs to stationary to fabric. An accomplished painter, you'll learn her paintings are in over 300 rooms at the new Aria Hotel at City Center in Las Vegas as well as in numerous rooms at the Mirage Hotel.

Stay tuned because later this week she will have a guest tutorial on Sew4Home and then, at the end of the month, FreeSpirit will be giving away some goodies on the Sew4Home site including some of Jenean's new fabric Silent Cinema (due in April).

Visit, comment and just have some fun getting to know Jenean!

One Million Pillowcase Challenge - Get Involved!

2011-04-01T15:30:00.004-04:00

At Westminster Lifestye Fabrics, we know Quilting Changes Everything. The good people at America n Patchwork & Quilting know this too and have challenged quilters across the globe to help make a difference in their communities by simply making pillowcases; One Million to be exact.

Check your local quilt shop to see if it's participating in this fun, charitable cause and then get sewing. Clean out your stash, or buy some nice new FreeSpirit fabric. Designer Tula Pink decided to take her newest collection, Prince Charming (due out in May), and make one of the featured patterns on the One Million Pillowcase Challenge website.

Read Tula's story about making pillowcases at her local quilt shop and the joy kids get from cotton quilting fabric, thread and a bit of your time.

2011-03-07T12:29:00.002-05:00

So we are late on announcing the winner but better late then never! So here you go! You will be receiving an e-mail from us. Congrats!

Lisnaweary Quilts said...
Really interesting to see and hear a designer talk about his design process and achievements, the fabric line looks great!

February 17, 2011 4:25 PM

Jay McCarroll's Habitat Collection and a GIVEAWAY

2011-02-17T15:18:00.007-05:00

Hey Everyone! Jay McCarroll's latest collection is called Habitat. It is much different from his past collections and really gives a fun and eclectic look for us. We are very excited about it and he recently put together this great video that he talks about his collection. So check it out and let us know what you think! You can also view his video on our website and look at the fabric swatches of this collection HERE.

While we are on the Jay McCarroll subject here is an awesome giveaway. It is a sketch book that is covered in one of the Habitat prints. So leave a comment about what your favorite part of this collection is and we will draw a winner on Friday the 25th. Good luck!

Valentine's Tutorial XOXO

2011-01-24T11:39:00.005-05:00

It's about that time when love is in the air and people are cutting paper hearts and making sweet treats in the kitchen. Now you have something treatful to put together in your sewing room! If you do not have any decorations for Valentine's Day and would like to have something to set on your mantel or table, this tutorial is fun and festive that will brighten up the room. Melissa from 100 Billion Stars put this tutorial together for us that is cute and easy to follow. So enjoy! XOXO

A TUTORIAL that will Get you IN the Spirit!

2010-12-10T15:40:00.003-05:00

Hey Everyone! Here is a great mini tree skirt tutorial that will not take long at all to make, and can create quite a wonderful statement in a room. Melissa from 100BillionStars has done it again and brought us this great holiday tutorial. Mini trees are a great decoration to lighten up a room, but they never have mini tree skirts! You can be really creative with this by choosing your fabrics, mix-matching fabrics and adding embellishments such as buttons, beads and yo-yo's. Let us know what you think and stop on by Melissa's blog for more great ideas!

Long Awaited Quilt Market Photos and an AMAZING Tutorial!!

2010-12-03T15:46:00.004-05:00

Welcome back everyone! We have been away for quite awhile and we apologize. Houston International Quilt Market was a great experience and there is great inspiration we want to share with you! Westminster did their booths a little different this year adding more inspiration for everyone to see. So look below and enjoy and let us know what your favorite things are that you see! Also, please view the tutorial at the end that is a great project for any occasion!

Here are garments that were made by BurdaStyle power sewers out of our Liberty Art Fabric.

We had HUGE stuffed animals made by Carol at Carol Zoo. She took her smaller animal patterns (sold on her website) and blew them up into larger animals that went up to 5 feet in size. They were featuring our new designer, Eleanor Grosch with the collection Zoo Menagerie that comes in three different substrates: cotton, flannel and micro fleece.

Kathy Davis had a vignette displaying her new collection Blossoming.

Featured in another vignette was our amazing solids and basics program! This is a great new program that offers solid and basic prints that are great to incorporate in to any of our designer's collections. There is always a color to match! Browse the groups here!

To the left of this photo is George Mendoza's work featuring an original painting that the Ellen Noel Art Museum let us borrow for the show.

Melissa from 100 Billion Stars made this amazing rug that she created from strips of fabric. She also made a great TUTORIAL that explains how to make these for any occasion! So check out the tutorial and enjoy! You can make them in to just a place mat size for your table, or keep going and make a rug!

Free Tutorial Thursday!

2010-08-27T16:01:00.007-04:00

Hey everyone! Melissa from 100Billion Stars is bringing us this awesome belt tutorial. It is really easy and is sure to liven up an outfitt that needs a splash of color! Enjoy and we would love to see your belts made from this tutorial!

Shows, Winners, and Thread Giveaways!

2010-07-12T09:40:00.003-04:00

Hawaii's Alfred Shaheen: Fabric to Fashion is a celebration of the legacy of textile designer and master fabric printer Alfred Shaheen, the origins of the Hawaiian print and the fusion fashion aesthetic is spawned. This is the first major retrospective exhibition of Hawaiian textiles and aloha wear manufactured by Alfred Shaheen on the island of Oahu over a 40-year period.

It is taking place now until August 8, 2010. Look at the details on the site, it is something that will be full of history and beautiful designs and creations.

In addition to the Fabric to Fashion show, George Mendoza is having a show as well: Colors of the Wind. This exhibition will feature over fifty figurative and abstract paintings by Las Cruces, New Mexico artist George Mendoza. Sample fabrics from his FreeSpirit collection with Westminster Fibers will also be included.

The Ellen Noel Art Museum will host an artist reception to honor Mendoza Thursday, August 19 at 7pm. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. This will offer the opportunity for local artists and visitors to personally meet George and discuss his process, challenges, work and life as an artist. View details of the Colors of the Wind museum at www.noelartmuseum.org.

Now to announce the winner of the Terrie Mangat apron!

Megan said,

Oh my wordy lordy yes! That is totally awesome collection. LOVE the bags. Love them.

Comment with your e-mail address and I will contact you for your address. Congratulations!

Last but not least, Visit SewMamaSew and show us your thread stash or your Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett project. Enter to win one of the new Rowan Premium Cotton Thread collections with colors hand selected by Amy and Kaffe, now through July 15th.

A Glimpse at Terrie Mangat and a GIVEAWAY!

2010-07-01T08:32:00.004-04:00

Terrie Mangat made quite the eye-catching booth at our Spring 10' International Quilt Market. There were many exciting things in her booth wherever you turned and we had to show you more! Her booth featured her two latest collections, On the Rio Grande and Los Sanctos. Both of these collections also feature great quilt patterns as well so be sure to check those out.

There are also great patterns that Terrie has developed. There is the Saints Box, the Hydrating Bag and the Apron as well. Along with her patterns, the chair shown is a great idea to vamp up an old chair. Bright fabrics are great to cover chairs with, especially when you need a pop of color in your house!

In addition to all of the eye-candy, we are also doing a GIVEAWAY! We will be randomly selecting a winner to send one of Terrie Mangat's finished Aprons to! So comment on this post and we will randomly select a winner next week. Good Luck!

Ty Pennington is in the HOUSE!

2010-06-18T08:44:00.003-04:00

Ty Pennington to design fabrics and finished lifestyle products exclusively for Westminster

Today we announced a new licensing partnership with Ty Pennington, the star of ABC's smash hit, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Pennington will design exclusive lines of fabric and associated lifestyle finished products for global distribution in home decor, sewing, quilting, craft and DIY retail outlets that will be branded "TY PENNINGTON IMPRESSIONS."

"I have built my career and pretty much lived my entire life around a do-it-yourself lifestyle," says Pennington. "I am very excited about designing fabrics and products for this market with Westminster, whose artists and initiatives have influenced trends and inspired the creativity of DIY enthusiasts."

Pennington, whose word has helped transform the lives of thousands while inspiring millions more around the world, will bring his trend setting design sense to fabric collections including cottons, home decorator width and fashion fabrics. TY PENNINGTON IMPRESSIONS will be introduced in October 2010.

About Ty Pennington
Ty Pennington is a New York Times Best-selling author and host of ABC's Emmy-winning series "Extreme Makover: Home Edition." He also hosts the top rated "Ty's Great British Adventure" for UKTV's Home Network and will host the upcoming Canadian design competition reality series "Inside the Box." Pennington develops furniture and home products for the "Ty Pennington Style" line at Sears and is an ambassador for the Sears American Dream Campaign. He also recently launched a home furniture collection "Howard Miller Furnishings by Ty Pennington." For more info please visit www.TyPenningtonStyle.com.

And more from Market!

2010-05-27T08:06:00.004-04:00

Here are more pictures from Quilt Market for everyone to enjoy! We will be posting more and more throughout next week, so enjoy!

Not all of our designers had booths at market, but many came to support their new collections and we were sure to grab pictures of them! Above is Verna Mosquera with her new quilt pattern, Noel.
Ketra was there representing all of the great designers under Art of Possibilities. Above she stands with two mini quilts out of AOP's new collection, April Showers Brings Sunflowers.

Joel Dewberry stands in front of his new collection, Modern Meadow. There was a skirt that was displayed with his collection that many were asking about and it is currently in the works to be a pattern. So be looking out for that!

Journeys is a new collection by a new artist, Kathy Davis. She was at market, but unfortunately, we did not get a picture of her! Everyone was very excited about this collection so be on the lookout for it!

Another new artist we have is Alfred Shaheen-a popular Hawaiian fabric designer in the 50's and 60's, his daughter is now re-introducing his fabrics through FreeSpirit.

And the Quilt Market Recap Begins

2010-05-25T15:29:00.005-04:00

We are back from yet another quilt market! And of course we brought lots of eye candy for everyone to see. Our designers delivered amazing booths once again and we captured as much as we could for everyone to enjoy. We will start by showing Valori Wells and Anna Maria Horner; sit back and enjoy and there are many more Quilt Market blog posts to come.

Valori Wells poses in her 'Nest' booth

A full shot of Valori's booth
The Nest free quilt pattern that will be available soon

Anna Maria Horner is posing in her booth wearing a version of her new pattern-Evening Empire Dress

It's Anna's new book Handmade Beginnings

These bags displayed are another pattern of Anna's, the Sidewalk Satchel

This is another version of her Evening Empire Dress pattern. There are four versions total

We had to stop this lady because she was wearing her own version of the Evening Empire Dress! She did a great job!

This is an amazing coverlet pattern from Anna that is coming soon

And a pillow to match!

Inspiration

2010-04-29T13:12:00.004-04:00

SEWWOW is an online magazine that focuses on children's apparel. It was founded by Joyce Yarling one year ago. She produces four issues a year and below features our fabrics used in the Spring 2010 Issue. The magazine has great inspiration, and exquisite pictures that are sure to inspire. It is a free online magazine that allows you to view different patterns and then purchase the patterns and kits at your desire. So check out her site and enjoy the eye candy!

Featuring Kaffe Fassett prints

Featuring David Walker prints

featuring Kaffe Fassett laminated

More Quilts and some fun Clothing

2010-04-02T11:08:00.004-04:00

David Walker, Hopscotch Scott Jarrard, Zoomers
Terrie Mangat, Los Sanctos

Here are some new patterns that have just been posted. There are many more to come, so please check back! You can always check out our gallery for many past quilts as well.

No One Wants to be Pinched!

2010-03-16T08:02:00.002-04:00

For those of you who JUST realized that St. Patrick's day is tomorrow and need to add a splash of green to your outfit, here is the quickest project you will find.

This scarf is made from Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks Voile collection. In the picture above we used the skus VAH05Meadow and VAH07Meadow. The voile is a very light fabric so this will be perfect for the warmer weather coming up.

Here is how it's made:

The measurements we used were 12" x 72". The size is really up to you. Some people like a thinner scarf so make sure you determine the width you like before you cut. Also, if you just want a small neck scarf, be sure to make it much shorter then 72". What we did is we took the voile, wrapped it around our necks, found our length, then cut.

Once the size is determined and you have cut the fabric out, you simply lay the wrong sides together, and pin all the way around. You are going to leave a 3 inch section unsewn for turning purposes.

Do not be scared to sew on the voile. It does not bunch in the machine and glides through the machine very well. Use the length and tension you would use for a basic cotton fabric. Sew around the entire piece with a 1/2" seam. Again, be sure to leave a 3 inch section unsewn.

After sewing around the scarf, clip the four corners-be sure not to clip through your stitches. Now, with the opening, begin pulling the right side of the fabric through. Iron the scarf flat and simply hand stitch the section you left open. You now have a simple, but great scarf!

There are many ways to embellish your scarf if you choose to do so. You can add beading for a little sparkle and/or some basic hand stitches with embroidery thread would look pretty as well.

We would love to see pictures of what you have created so send them our way...and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Fun Quilt Patterns

2010-02-15T08:30:00.005-05:00

Above is a picture of George Mendoza with a quilt made out of Wise Tree by the Organ Mountain Quilt Shop in Las Cruces, New Mexico. George is also wearing a shirt made out of Wise Tree as well!

This is our new Easter collection by Hallmark. This is a simple quilt that is great to decorate your house for the holiday. Many of you know graduates that will be walking the stage in May and this quilt is a great way to reward their hard work! This quilt uses the panel in the Graduation collection along with small squares of the other prints. What is really fun about this quilt is that it has a white border so you can have friends and family sign the quilt so it becomes quite the keepsake.

Scottie Dog Pattern!

2010-02-04T09:42:00.005-05:00

Here is a free pattern from Denyse Schmidt! This cute little Scottie Dog is a fairly easy project that is fun and very cute. It's a great way to use a lot of your small scrap fabrics that you have laying around.

Download the pattern HERE. Enjoy! We would love to see your finished Scottie Dogs!

This is a picture that Stephanie submitted with her twist of the Scottie Dog pattern. How cute! I love how she adds the flowers made out of YoYo's and the Ric Rac for stems. Very clever! Not to mention the cute cupcake pincushion in the background. Thanks so much for sharing Stephanie!

Creations with FreeSpirit

2010-01-08T10:54:00.003-05:00

We really like to see what everyone is making out there with our FreeSpirit fabric. Whether it be for a personal business or for fun, we want to see! So we have gone on the hunt and found some great images and creations out of our fabrics. So be inspired, check out their sites and enjoy the eye candy!

1Elephant's Etsy Shop

Bloom Design's Etsy Shop

Heather Bailey

Spool Sewing Blog

We could have found hundreds more, but we only had time for a few. If you want more inspiration, or are looking for a homemade gift all you have to do is hunt around the Internet and you can find some amazing things. Enjoy!

Winner of the Leanika Panel is...

2009-12-11T10:25:00.002-05:00

Amy said...
I always love a pretty apron. This year I've been busy making purses for just about everyone on my list.

Well Amy, we hope you enjoy making this apron! We will be contacting you and getting this apron in the mail!

Thanks to all who have participated!

Great Gift Ideas and a Gift For You!

2009-12-04T14:36:00.007-05:00

The Holidays are sneaking up on everybody so we thought it would be a good idea to give you some quick and easy project ideas. Below are pictures of the Leanika Canvas Panels by Dena Designs. The entire pattern and directions come on a 1yd panel. There are two different patterns, one being a tote and one an apron. The tote straps are adjustable and the apron fits most sizes. They retail for around 10dollars so it makes for a fairly inexpensive gift. So if you are running late on your present making/buying this is a great idea that doesn't take much time at all!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

It just so happens we have an extra apron panel around here so comment with your favorite Holiday gift you enjoy making for others and you could be selected to win this apron panel! Don't forget to include your e-mail in your comment. Winner will be chosen on Thursday, Dec. 10th. Good luck!

Laminated Fabric

2009-12-02T13:23:00.007-05:00

Above are our newest laminated fabrics! The top photo is out of Anna Maria Horner's fabric, then the swatches consist of Heather Bailey, George Mendoza (Art of Possibility) and Annette Tatum.

Below are some sewing tips that will help you in your Laminated sewing projects!

Tips for sewing Laminated fabric
From Coats and Clark

Thread: Use All-purpose thread. Dual Duty XP or Coats Cotton All-purpose
Needles: Size 12 or 14, sharp. A smaller needle makes a smaller puncture hole.

Presser Foot: A Teflon coated presser foot will prevent the presser foot sticking when sewing on the laminated side. This is especially helpful when topstitching. A roller presser foot may also be used.

Tips:
Use a longer stitch length (3mm or more) for seaming and topstitching. Shorter stitch lengths can have the affect of perforating the fabric.

Select a pattern with simple lines and seaming. Avoid eased, gathered or intricate shaping because the fabric does not give.

It isn’t necessary to straighten the grain on a laminated fabric, it will not shift due to the coating.

Cut in a single layer with the right side up. For pieces cut on the fold, fold wrong sides together.

Mark with chalk or smooth-edged tracing wheel.

Holes may remain in fabric, so place pins in seam allowances and avoid having to rip seams. If making a garment, be sure of fit and make alterations to pattern before cutting out.

Do not touch an iron to the right side. Use a warm iron on the wrong side.

Welt, flat-fell or topstitched seams will lie flatter than a plain seam, since seams cannot be pressed open.

Last Round of Pics from Houston Market

2009-10-30T08:32:00.006-04:00

Amy Butler's booth. Vibrant colors and great items tucked in each corner.

Pictures show upcoming patterns that will be coming out next year.

This couch cover is a great way to spice up a dated piece of furniture.

Amy's 'Sexy Hexy' quilt that is a free pattern

Annette Tatums mannequin that was an artistic way to show off her new fabric collection House.

Brandon Mably, Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jacobs booth that was a great display of all of their fabrics.

Rebel quilt by Scott Hansen from the collection Rebel by Douglas Day. This was quite the conversation piece at market!

All of the Hallmark quilts.

Scott Jarrard in his booth with wife Amanda showing off his new collection Boogie Monsters.

More from Houston Quilt Market

2009-10-26T10:46:00.006-04:00

Jane Sassaman's booth

Jane Sassman herself showing off her great booth!

These are some of her new patterns she had displayed. Don't you love the tea cozy?

Loved her black mannequins. She added black skirts to all of them which was a great touch.

Anna Maria Horner's booth

Don't you love the new substrates? She showed many ways you could use the voile and dobby prints.

Most of the booth in this shot. Oh how pretty

Heather Bailey's booth. These are one of her new patterns. How cute!

Everyone was obsessed with this dress at market and there was a unanimous vote that this should be a new pattern from Heather!

'Clothes Line' in the booth!

Very inviting booth!

2009-10-22T14:58:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone! Now that we are back from quilt market, we have lots to share! We want to hear all about your opinions, likes/dislikes as well! All of our pictures will take a few posts so make sure to stop back by for more eye candy! Also, some of the pictures are not the best quality so we apologize in advance!

Are you as obsessed with this chair as much as we are?? Let's just say we were trying to slip it in to the Westminster Fibers crates to take home but we could not get it past Kaffe.

Heather Bailey showing off her new collection, Nicey Jane. Did we mention she won best booth? More pictures of her goodies to come.

Mrs. Anna Maria Horner! A great booth with inspiring ideas and exciting new substrates.

Juliana and Allie, two of Anna's helpers. Juliana, on the left, is Anna's oldest child and Allie works for Anna. Two great girls that were an awesome help to Anna during the show.

This is Ketra who works with Art of Possibility. A great lady and sported some great outfits from the new Wise Tree collection.

Amy Butler (a little fuzzy) who had an amazing booth! She is wearing one of her newest patterns made out of her new collection Love. More to come!

The Westminster Fibers Finished Product booth with lots of new products coming out soon. If you go to the TrueUp blog here they are giving away a Finished Product kaffe bag until next Wednesday, the 28th that could be yours! So get over there and enter!

Quilt Market Fall 2009

2009-10-06T13:28:00.003-04:00

Hello Readers,

Sorry we have been away so long, but prep for quilt market has kept us all very busy! For those who will be attending market, we look forward to seeing you there. We have great new collections and exciting new artists we want to introduce you too. Along with that, several of our artists will be having booths displaying great projects and ideas out of their new fabric line. Also, Annette Tatum will be doing a book signing on Monday the 12th from 1-3. Kaffe Fassett will also be doing book signings throughout the show and you can stop by his booth- #1850.

For those who will not be able to attend the show, we will be sure to fill you in on all the events that happen and provide you with many pictures for you to soak in!

Art of Possibility

2009-09-24T14:24:00.003-04:00

We want to introduce you to one of our newest artist, George Mendoza. Mendoza is a painter, author, speaker and athlete. We have taken George's beautiful paintings and turned them in to a vibrant fabric collection. George is very unique in the fact that he has created these amazing paintings (along with many other accomplishments) while being blind. His line is through Art of Possibility which exclusively represents physically disabled artists via license to manufacturers interested in connecting with consumers on a meaningful level and with cause-oriented programs at retail. Below are pictures from Monday which was George Mendoza Day in Las Cruces, NM and the Governor of New Mexico as well as other dignitaries took part in the event. They showed his fabric line and recognized the abundance of Mendoza's achievements.

Keep your eye out for this unique collection that FreeSpirit will be debuting at quilt market in just a few weeks!

WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-02T13:18:00.004-04:00

sb said...
I've really been digging Jay McCarroll's latest designs. Great giveaway!
You have won Jay's Fabric!

Candy S said...
of those choices...Jone Hallmark for the cute factor.
Candy, you have won Jone's!

Gandksmom said...
I don't know that I can pick a favorite. I love them all. They all have something to offer that is so pleasing to the eye. I do have to admit that I am really excited about Anna Marie Horner's new line!
Well we picked it for you! You will be receiving Donna Dewberry!

And our lucky follower that wins Luella Doss is Lois Grebowski!

Congratulations, you will receiving e-mails from me later today. Candy S and Gandksmom, I do not have your e-mail so comment with your e-mail and I will be contacting you. Thanks to all of those who participated!

More Fall FreeSpirit Lines and a Giveaway!

2009-08-24T10:24:00.004-04:00

This is one of Anna Maria Horner's collection, Little Folks that is coming out. She has a few different collections that will be on different substrates that we can't wait to introduce!

Jane Sassman's new collection, Sunshine & Shadows

Jay McCarroll's new collection Germania

Tanya Whelan's new collection Dolce

(Fabric images above are not correct scale and do not show the entire line.)

So don't you think it's about time for a GIVEAWAY? WE DO! We have 4, 3yard bundles we are going to giveaway. One will randomly be given to a 'FreeSpirit Follower' and the other 3 will require comments. So leave us a comment telling us your favorite designer between Luella Doss, Donna Dewberry, Jay McCarroll or Jone Hallmark and we will randomly select 3 people to receive 3 yards of these new collections. Good luck! Giveaway will end Monday, Aug. 31st.

New Fabric Creations

2009-08-20T11:54:00.006-04:00

We told you there was more to come! Below are three new collections that we are introducing at market. So enjoy the sneak peek!

The is Denyse Schmidt's new collection, Hope Valley

Above is Jenean Morrison's collection California Dreamin'

Terrie Mangat's collection On the Rio Grande

(images above are not correct scale)

So many updates!

2009-08-18T09:42:00.004-04:00

Sorry everyone for neglecting the blog, but you can imagine what we have been working on here at FreeSpirit....Market Stuff!!! Can you believe it's just around the corner? Well to all of the readers who are going to the Houston Quilt Market, you have many things to look forward to from FreeSpirit; those of you who are not going to make it, we are going to show you a peek at some things we have been creating.

This is Boogie Monsters by Scott Jarrard. He is a new designer and brings fun, exciting and bright fabric to FreeSpirit. This quilt is a great children's quilt and even has a little monster 'Woogie' in the quilt pocket. This pattern will be available on our website shortly!This new fabric collection, Germania, is by Jay McCarroll and is not boring by any means! This collection was inspired by exactly what it sounds like, Germs! What is also exciting about this collection is some of the prints are offered in knit fabric. This quilt pattern will be coming to the website soon!

Enjoy and there will be much more coming soon and a giveaway in the near future!

Interview with Annette Tatum

2009-07-17T08:42:00.011-04:00

Tell us a little about your background and how your 'creative spark' started.
I attended UCLA and studied Product Design and Architecture. After years of working with wood, metal and other hard materials I ended up working for a fashion company called Tocca out of NY. It was there that I really became inspired by fashion. I found that color, details and pattern were really exciting and began to integrate textiles into my work as a designer. When I started printing my own line of fabrics in 2000 and saw how the prints could be translated into so many different looks depending on the color ways, I was hooked. Printing fabric opened up a whole new world for me in which I discovered that there are many uses for fabric. Clothing, bedding, furniture, and more. Today I continue to work in the world of color and pattern and have even expanded into stationary, rugs and lighting.

Where do you live? What is the textile/crafty scene like there?
I live in Santa Monica, California which is very beachy and very casual. I also have 4 children ages 6-18 so I am super easy and flexible with my own home. I have a home studio where I surround myself with lots of things I love. Vintage textiles, old trims, wallpaper samples, and color chips. All inspiration for my next collection or just things I love. In LA there is a great source of craft and textile shows, flea markets and pattern libraries that I visit. I also collect old documents and fabric samples that I have found from traveling. Since I am a big fan of "collaging" I often check out some of the scrapbook stores in my area. They offer a great connection to all of the people out there who want to do unique projects on their own. Growing up my mother was a home sewer who made most of my clothes as well as taught me how to macrame, needlepoint and make all kinds of home projects. So my roots are from a very crafty home. I love anything home made and often check out blogs to find inspiration.

How and when did you start designing fabric? I started designing fabric in 1989 when I started my own business. I did not have a clue on how this all was done but learned as I went. I had never had any formal training on fabric design but I think my training in color while working with Tocca helped. I started my first collection with a line of pajamas that included special one of kind embroidery borders. To this day, I have people asking me if I still sell pajamas. I love embroidery and took motifs from all over the world, which I translated into prints for my first line of bedding. I did not start designing baby fabrics until around 2000... when of course my own life began to fill with small children. Since then I have continued to print my fabric collection twice a year and sometimes have to control myself. If it were up to me I would have a million prints. I love taking a pattern and plugging into different color combinations to see how each color way has a different effect and look. A flower in hot pink might be great for a modern or child look, yet when it is re colored to a softer palette suddenly it is sophisticated and subtle. Often times I am pleasantly surprised when I discover a new combination by just playing around with color.

Is there a story behind each of your collections?

There is often a story behind each collection that I try to reference as a point of inspiration. My Lifestyle collection was inspired by my trips to Paris and the couture elements of French design and architecture. The color palette was influenced by a fashion show I watched from a 2008 Dior collection in which the colors and the grandeur of Marie Antoinette was at the core of the show. It also helps me as a designer to have an idea that has roots and history. By this I mean, that for me good design has to have some elements that are classic and iconic. In the Lifestyle collection you will find French brocades and tapestry patterns combined with swirl patterns similar to those found in vintage French clothing. The color palettes are rich and contain metallic accents making them fun inspiration for a fabric collection today as they were ages ago.

Can you tell us a little about your design process - do you sketch? Paint? Strictly computer?
My design process is pretty simple. I am not a painter by trade and I am not that great with all the updated computer programs. So... I collaborate. I often start with an idea in my head and let it percolate a while. When I am ready to start to try and put it into conception I usually have a very good idea about what I like and how I want a pattern or fabric to look. I can see in my mind the scale, color way and look I am going for. The harder part is to get it out of my head and into a format that can then go into production. In the early days I came with my scribbles and scraps of what I wanted to put together. Today I have help from my in house graphic designer and the printers where I print. Over time I have learned that I jump into a new idea and others see my passion. People step forward to help me figure how to get to the next step. Most of my skill has come from on the job and in the process.. not from formal training.

What inspires your work?

Whenever I am asked this question I often do not have an answer. I am inspired by everything. I find lots of things interesting. Usually I find that when I take a closer look at objects, architecture and vintage textiles...there is always something that I can find inspiring. Even if it inspires me "not" to try something it is still valuable. For the most part I am inspired by vintage trims, velvet ribbons, notions, old tile patterns and clothing. I recently went to a hat millinery and had a great time. The store was old and the person who ran the shop had spent years collecting old odds and ends. It was fantastic. I also had to visit lots of costume houses this year for information on my new book - The Well Dressed Home out in September. I could have stayed for days. Old prom dresses from the 50's in amazing colors and shapes. Just being in the prop house and walking the aisles made me feel nostalgic and curious about who might have worn the dress. Which designer took time to sew on all the details and if it was a one of a kind dress. The history of fashion and how different colors, materials and shapes have passed through the ages is really fascinating.

What is your personal stash of fabric like?

I have a room in my house that is my workroom/studio. I also have storage with old archives that I have collected or collections from the years past for my companies house and little house.
When this is not enough I go visit a friend of mine who has a crazy stash that fills up a two room house and garage. She has been collecting for years and has scouts all over the world sending her fabric documents. Between the two of us and the flea markets there is quite a library to choose from. Still, depending upon what I am into every year and what is happening on the fashion front there are still places and style to discover. I would love to spend time in India and now that my children are getting a little older, I will hopefully be able to go soon. I do find that when I am in a country and see how the lifestyle influences peoples color choices for their clothing, architecture, etc. I am drawn more to the style. For instance in Mexico where I have spent a lot of time, I find that the clean crisp whites with the colorful embroidery that occur in clothing also appear in home decor and architecture. It is a lifestyle look that is unique to Mexico. I find this type of connection inspiring. I often find myself looking differently at fabrics from around the world once I understand the culture from which they originate.

What can we look forward to in the near future from you?

Well I like to keep re inventing to stay creative. This year ahead I have a whole new world opening with my first book. " The Well Dressed Home" published by Clarkson Potter. This will be a new experience for me and the making of the book was a great opportunity for me to work with a team. The collaboration process was new to me since I am often designing on my own. Over the years I have found that working with others can be really rewarding so I hope that the future holds more opportunity to collaborate with more creative people. We have more licensing partners on the horizon and a new collection under the "Annette Tatum' label. I also plan to collaborate with Free Spirit on a line of baby bedding. The future looks great and full of opportunity despite our current economics. I have to say for me, when the nature of my business began to change in early 2009 I had to do some soul searching. I have found that what is important is to focus on what is working and try and surround yourself with the positive. There is always something or someone that says you can't do this and you should not do that. I have found that whenever I follow my heart I am successful. So for the next year, I am going to follow my heart and be happy!

Annette's new book The Well Dressed Home will be released Sept 29 2009
and you can check out a sneak peek here. You will find pages filled with fashion inspired décor for your home. To preorder the book send us an email at mailto:annette@houseinc.com and ask how to order your signed copy today.

Thanks Annette for a great interview! If you want to see Annette's collections, click HERE and you can read her profile that is on our FreeSpirit website and have direct access to her great collections! Also, visit her blog for updates on what she is doing and lots of inspiration!

Quilt Exhibition 'Made in New York: City Quilting'

2009-06-25T09:37:00.003-04:00

The City Quilter is organizing a quilt exhibition, "MADE IN NEW YORK: City Quilting," to be shown from September 22, 2009 through November 14, 2009 at the Williams Club, which is located at 24 East 39th Street. More than 60 quilts are expected to be hung. The quilts will be available for viewing from 8 am until 8 pm, every day.

For submission a quilt must have been made while the quilter was living or working in the New York metro area. The quilts will be juried. As part of the show, there will be a special exhibition of Dear Jane quilts.

This exhibit follows The City Quilter's successful show in Winter, 2007 that commemorated the 10th anniversary of our classroom-and our shop. At that time, 45 juried quilts were displayed for seven weeks at the Williams Club. The Club was pleased with the response, and has invited us back.

Picture from the 2007 showing

Cathy Izzo, the shop's co-owner commented: "There are so few opportunities for the public to see quilts in New York City, and the vast range of quilting styles will surprise--and please--all the visitors. We expect a big response to a show that will help advance New Yorkers' interest in quilting."

So, if you live in the area or want a weekend trip, plan for this great New York Experience!

Winner & Answers

2009-06-11T08:08:00.003-04:00

We had a great response from this giveaway and are proud to announce RACHEL the winner of this giveaway! She commented:

This is my first time to your site, but it looks great! Nice sharp pictures. -Rachel

We used RANDOM to determine our winner so we wouldn't be burdened with the task, so congratulations Rachel!! Comment with you e-mail so we can get your address.

ANSWERS:

We thought it would be good to answer some questions people had while commenting about our new FreeSpirit website.

One comment someone said:
My only wish is that you had that info available for older lines (that way it's easier for me to figure out what I need to track down!) :)

Oh but you can! And this is how you get there! When you are on the homepage and click on 'Our Fabric' you can then click on 'Recent collections'. This brings you to all of the past lines that have been out for awhile or are on closeout. So there is still a place on the website you can go to look at all of these great lines, we just wanted to keep them separate from our current lines.

Ok, on to a few more tid-bits that might help you navigate our website.

We have a 'Your Favorites' section you can go to that allows you to select your favorite swatches and then lets you print these out. Why is this useful? If you are a shop owner you can select everything you want to buy, print them out, then place your order with customer service or your local rep. If you are a sewer, this allows you to select what you want to use for a project, then print the swatches out and bring the print-out to your local quilt shop and easily snag what you are looking for.

Updates, Updates, Updates! (Giveaway CLOSED)

2009-06-03T11:18:00.008-04:00

Hey Readers! Well we have big updates at Westminster Fibers that involves our FreeSpirit website. If you have not been to the FreeSpirit site in a while, it's time to stop by because we have made many updates that makes the website more eye-catching, and easier to navigate. Also, a HUGE addition as well!

We wanted to not only show our fabrics, but also show what you can do with the fabric. On the homepage, pictures will fade in and out of finished projects using our new fabric collections, with swatches beside the projects. Also, we have added some 'sort' features that will help you find your favorite collections fast. Last but not least, we have our Westminster Fibers Finished Products on the website as well! This includes Umbrellas, Fabricware, Fleece Kits, Backpacks and Reading Glasses with many more additions on the way.

Due to the Finished Product addition on the website, we are giving away this large Fabricware tray! So post your comments on what you think about the website makeover and we will randomly pick a winner on Thursday, June 11th! Enjoy the website and good luck!

Quilt Market Round 2

2009-05-22T11:17:00.006-04:00

Now is the time we show you all our pretty quilts that our quilt designers put together for us. You can see the quality and hard work that they put in to them! We also will give you a sneak peak at free downloads that will soon be on our website!

From left is the Monaco quilt; both quilts to the right are Deer Valley quilts

To the left is a honeycomb quilt out of the Wildwood collection, and to the right is an all around the world quilt from Picnic Parade

Jennifer Paganelli introduced three collections at market and this picture displays each of the collections

Scott Hansen proudly stands beside his quilts he made for the collections Be A Man on the left and Christmas Snowflower on the right

We created this tailgate display for Be A Man that was very eye catching

The Lion of Judah was quite the colorful display! We handed out brochures that told the general story of the movie and we were showing the trailer for this movie

Libby Brooks, our New Business Manager for Finished Products, was able to stop for a picture between her busy moments at her booth!

Libby and Nancy Jewell were busy giving presentations for the many Finished Products that are new to WestminsterNancy Jewell is the Manager of New Business Development for Sewing and was busy telling people about her Embroidery Kits. You will here more about those later!

And of course, Scott Jarrard was at market giving everyone a sneak peak at his Boogie Monsters line that is coming out in August!

Market Update!

2009-05-20T12:59:00.012-04:00

Everyone at Westminster Fibers survived yet another quilt market and we have plenty to talk about. While driving to the hotel from the airport we found ourselves lost on top of a mountian, overlooking Pittsburgh. Not a bad place to get lost! It was beautiful and we had to jump out of the car to take a few pictures. The town was filled with great architecture that really made some buildings stand out. Even the convention center was known for how 'Green' it was; filled with natural light to show off all of the booths.

Vicki Payne, a new artist under FreeSpirit, had an eye-catching booth that really showed off her new home dec fabric, For Your Home. She had large fabric pieces hanging from her light blue walls, covered cushions, large pillows and decorating ideas in her booth. This booth really showed what you can do with home dec fabric and how you can take advantage of the thicker texture of the fabric.

Here is a beautiful chair with a custom cushion made from the collection For Your Home. This animal print fabric really popped and the contrast fabric for the trim really stood out. Great choice for colors.

Valori Wells was also introducing her new line called Del Hi. The quilts on the left are a pattern that Valori designed for the free download on the FreeSpirit site. She does one quilt in the bright colorway of her fabrics, then a more earth toned quilt to the right. This collection was quite the hit at market and she did some fun stuff in her booth with her new fabric as well. She also had a booth for her fabric store called, The Stitchen Post that was right beside her Del Hi booth. Not only did she show off her great new fabric line, but she was also showing (and wearing) her new shirts that will be coming out that really catch the eye!

Valori Wells on right

Free Project and Updates!

2009-05-11T09:00:00.005-04:00

It is crunch time for FreeSpirit as we leave for International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh tomorrow! There are always last minute documents to print and items to pack, but we would never leave you without something before we go! We wanted to leave you with this great free pattern that was provided by Coats and Clark. This little basket (that you can make in many different sizes) is handy for a napkin holder in the kitchen, or to hold note cards in your office. Also, if you decide to make this project, please send us pictures because we would love to see what fabric you put together and the ribbon and thread you chose. Now for the 'updates' portion of the post; Coats and Clark has now jumped on the Blogger train and is now hosting their own blog! As you will always find fabric updates on our blog, you can now follow their blog as well to keep up with thread tips and tricks and many more exciting things. But you will have to visit their blog to know everything!

Thanks for stopping by and we will come back from market with great pictures, news and many stories to share! And if you are a reader of the blog and are going to market, be sure to mention that you keep up with us here, we always like the feedback!

New Collections Part 3

2009-04-29T09:32:00.005-04:00

Last but not least, here are the final four FreeSpirit collections that we will be introducing at market in just a few weeks! There is a great variety so hopefully you will find something you love!

Oh Boy! by David Walker

Picnic Parade by Jenean Morrison

Pretty Please by Jennifer Paganelli
Jennifer has several collections coming out at market so this is just a glimpse at one of them!

Little House by Annette Tatum

New Collections Part 2

2009-04-23T15:36:00.005-04:00

Here are some more of our new May introductions. Enjoy! Along with our fabric introductions, it's time to introduce the winner of the Karen Gray quilt giveaway! She has picked
Valerie, commenter #26! Wahoo, so Valerie send us a comment with your e-mail and we will get your great quilt right to you!

Wildwood by Erin McMorris

Monaco by Dena Designs

Del Hi by Valori Wells

Be A Man by Douglas Day

New Collections Part 1

2009-04-21T08:49:00.008-04:00

Quilt Market is coming up and we wanted to give everyone a glimpse at our great new collections! So enjoy the eye candy and please, tell us what your favorites are! Also, winner of the Karen Gray quilt will be announced next post!

Christmas Snow Flower by Dena Designs

Deer Valley by Joel Dewberry

French Hatbox by Tanya Whelan

For Your Home by Vicki Payne

A New Shop with a GREAT Giveaway! GIVEAWAY CLOSED

2009-04-09T09:50:00.010-04:00

If you live in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area or are looking for a day trip, a new shop that has just opened, Karen Gray Design, is an exclusive Westminster Fibers shop. It's a gorgeous store including FreeSpirit along with Rowan designers. Fabric currently in the shop includes ~ Heather Bailey's Fresh Cut & Pop Garden, Amy Butler's Midwest Modern 1 & 2 + Daisy Chain, Heather Ross - Mendocino, West Hill, and some Lightening Bugs, Joel Dewberry, Jay McCarroll, Kaffe Fassett, Tanya Whelan, Anna Maria Horner, Dena Designs, Valori Wells, Felicity Miller, Denyse Schmidt, and Jennifer Paganelli. Shew! And there is always more to come! She also carries sewing patterns - Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Valori Wells, and Anna Marie Horner and books too. She also sells Amy Butler's Sweet Life bags. In addition to the many things listed above, she also has ready made goods available for sale - pillows, sachets, belts, etc - these are things produced by other independent designers in the US. She has plans to have some garments produced (samples) for both women and children with the idea that her customers can "design their own" by selecting the fabrics and then she will have a team of skilled sewers in place. This is a great addition to the town and should attract many eager sewers from all over!

In addition to telling you about this great new store, Karen provided us with a fabulous giveaway of a quilt that she has made. It includes a variety of of designers and the quilt really shows how you can piece together prints from different collections. So comment away (leaving your e-mail address for contact) and we will randomly select one winner for this amazing quilt!

Karen's store is located at the address below, so if you get the chance to visit, you will not be disappointed!

Karen Gray Design @ Reynolda Village
117-1 Reynolda Village
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106
shop # 336.779.6155
www.karengraydesign.com

Sew News Article

2009-04-07T11:04:00.006-04:00

Tanya Whelan informed me that in the new issue of Sew News Magazine several of our designers were featured in an article "Life by Design" by Linda Lee. It is a great article that shows how our designers are taking not only the quilting market by storm, but also are showing the market that they can create patterns, clothing and handbags with their fabrics as well. It's a great article and magazine, so you should definitely grab a copy for yourself! Enjoy

More Additions to FreeSpirit

2009-03-25T09:03:00.003-04:00

The FreeSpirit brand is constantly expanding, and that includes having a wide range of fabrics. We are proud to introduce two of our newest additions! One being Laminated Fabric and the other being Double-Face Quilted fabric. Below is the Laminated Fabric in Anna Maria Horner's prints. Soon, we will have Laminated Fabric with many other designer's prints as well. She also incorporated the Laminated fabric into a bag she made with her Good Folks collection. The Laminated Fabric is very easy to sew with and you can also iron on the back side. This is great for bags, place mats, tablecloths and many more projects.

Below is our Double-Face Quilted fabric. The top one is from Tina Given's collection and the bottom is from Erin McMorris's collection. You can see the top and bottom displayed and how well they go together. Anna Maria Horner and Tanya Whelan also have their designs on the Double-Faced Quilted, and again, more designers will soon be added to the list. This is a great way to put together a simple quilt where you don't have to worry about having it quilted; throw some binding on it and you have a great quilt. This can be used for many more projects as well.

Winners of the Pattern Giveaway!

2009-03-11T08:27:00.006-04:00

Hey everyone! We have randomly selected four winners for the giveaway and here they are below! If you see yourself, post a comment with your e-mail and I will contact you for a mailing address. Thanks to all of those who have participated and if you didn't win this time, there will be

plenty of future giveaways!

Maria from Minnesota!

Amy from Virginia!

Angel from Arizona!

Katie from Michigan!

Cotton Quilting to High Fashion Part 2 (Finally!)

2009-03-06T11:29:00.003-05:00

Donna Dewberry's Roses fabric collection turns into a fun, strapless number made by Shanetta Dorsey. Shanetta participated in the Kent State/Coats & Clark Experiment, a Project Runway type competition in which the winner received a $1,500 scholarship from Coats & Clark.

Amy Butler Designs and Heather Bailey provided some of the prizes for participating students. Here Tracy Shapoff shows off her winnings as well as her garment. Tracy cut out individual leaves from Cloe's Imagination collection by Tina Givens to create a three-dimensional effect. Tina Given's TG41MariPalace is the contrasting fabric seen on the underside of the skirt.

It's all in the details. The Aqua Bee from Tina Given's Chloe's Imagination was added to Sparrows from Aviary by Joel Dewberry to pull together the top and bottom of this casual capri/halter top outfit. A crochet watch bob lends a finishing touch.

Kristy Howard channel quilts to create fabric to be used in the bodice of her dress. She used different stitch length's for throughout the piece to create a more loftier look.

Kaffe Fassett's Paper Fans will serve as the flared skirt and bodice of Kellie Barnhill's design.

Kellie Barnhill's flippy dress is accented by a belt made of fused yarn and an innovative zipper broach. Here competing fabric is on the underside of her skirt. She used wire in the hem to create the flounces.

Two opposing prints were part of the challenge during the Kent State/Coats & Clark experience. Students were permitted to bring accessories or other fabric to help pull together their designs.

New Patterns and a Giveaway!

2009-03-03T14:25:00.005-05:00

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

We just posted some new free quilt patterns on the website and had to show you! Plus, we have a little giveaway... but we will get to that!

This quilt is from the collection Moondance from Jenean Morrison.

This quilt is from the collection Pretty Please by Jennifer Paganelli which will be introduced in May.

Showing you these great free quilt pattern downloads has put us in the mood to do a little giveaway! Heather Bailey and Tanya Whelan have new sewing patterns out and we thought that would be a great thing to give to you sewers! We will be giving away two from each designer, so leave comments and we will pick four random readers! I will then post the winners,once chosen! Can't wait to read your comments!

An Inspiring Studio

2009-02-24T13:04:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone! One of our designers had a great opportunity to have her studio published in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. Not only is her studio published in the magazine but she made front cover of the third STUDIOS issue by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. Melissa Averinos who presented her first collection called Sugar Snap with FreeSpirit in October of 2008, not only is a fabric designer but has many other talents up her sleeve. Attached to this wonderful studio is her own shop called YummyGoods. If you visit her blog you are able to learn much more about her, what she does and where her creative juices are sending her. And be sure to check out her fabric line also!

Part two of Cotton Quilting to High Fashion coming soon!

Cotton Quilting to High Fashion Part 1

2009-02-13T08:12:00.004-05:00

So, what if you were given two very opposing prints of cotton quilting fabric, like Kaffe Fassett paired with Tina Givens, along with yarn from Rowan and Red Heart®, plus thread and zippers from Coats & Clark, then given the directive to create fashion – from quilting cotton, in less then 18 hours?

That’s just the challenge presented to students at Kent State University’s Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design. Dubbed the Rockwell/Coats & Clark Experience, the competition was designed to provide students with an educational opportunity and exposure to different products from Coats & Clark and affiliate companies. It also introduced them to career opportunities in the textile, needlecraft and sewing industries.

What was amazing is how these students transformed these materials, fabrics we look at in terms of piecing and blocks, into truly wearable fashions.

There was resourcefulness too. The corsage made from balls of yarn. Cheese grating your seams to create a fray, raw edged look. Using a zipper as an accent or broach to complete the collar on a dress. Hand stitching yarns all over a bodice to tie your two pieces of mismatched fabrics together. Crocheting trims as accents.

In the end, 22 students gave up their weekend to vie for a scholarship of $1,500 from Coats & Clark and a plethora of other prizes from some of our industries biggest names: a Babylock Sophia sewing and embroidery machine, Singer® Confidence 7470 sewing machine, Singer® CG754 serger, Electric Quilt 6 design software, the opportunity to create a pattern for BurdaStyle.com, free membership to Rowan International and gifts from Amy Butler Designs, Heather Bailey, CK Media, Interweave Press, Bernina and C & T Publishing.

First place scholarship winner was Kristy Howard, a junior fashion design major, whose pin tuck pleated sun dress included fabric she made by pin weaving yarn, crocheted matching trim, quilting and chenille details.

Carolyn Peters, a senior, won the Babylock Sophia sewing and embroidery machine with a “girlie with an edge” Capri and halter top outfit featuring beautiful top stitching details and a crocheted wallet chain.

The third place winner was sophomore design student Theresa Rietschlin who will design a pattern for Burda Style, an open source sewing community website. She meticulously hand-stitched looped yarn all over the bodice of her dress, carrying the detail through to the hemline.

Quite A LOVEly Pattern

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Saturday is Valentine's Day and we could not think of a better free pattern then this! Provided by Coats and Clark, this project was made from the House collection by Annette Tatum. We hope you enjoy this free pattern (just click on free pattern instructions) and if you sign up for the monthly Coats newsletter here, you can receive many more free patterns in the future. Enjoy!

Also, we will not be able to continue with the giveaway because there was not enough interest. We were very disappointed and we love doing giveaways so please, look out for future giveaways!

The Power of Flower

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Hey FreeSpirit readers! We wanted everyone to see the new January collection, Flower Power, by Jennifer Paganelli. This collection is starting to ship and will arrive in your favorite quilt stores soon so be sure to keep a lookout for it. Below are a couple of swatches of the collection, and also the free Flower Power quilt pattern that will be available on the FreeSpirit download page this week! Enjoy!

Snuggle up in our New Quilts!

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Hey everyone! We have just posted more free quilt patterns on our website and hope you have the chance to check them out!

Hotflash by Luella Doss

Woodland Garden by Jay McCarroll

Daisies by Donna Dewberry

Also, we have not received a great response for the giveaway like we were hoping to so if you want the great prizes we need you to submit your photos!

Introducing Vicki Payne 'For Your Home'

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Below is a press release for the Dream Home project. Used within the house (pictures below) are bits and pieces of Vicki Payne's new line that will be introduced in May 09. It is a great home decor collection that will be a fresh look for FreeSpirit!

CHARLOTTE, NC—Charlotte magazine’s highly anticipated 2008 Dream Home has partnered with For Your Home, the #2 most aired house and garden show airing nationally on PBS stations across the country. The Dream Home will be used to raise funds for the Susan G Komen Fund, the largest grassroots initiative for finding a cure for breast cancer. For Your Home, hosted by mother-daughter duo Vicki Payne and Sloan Payne-Rutter is one of today’s most popular series.

Vicki and Sloan will share their design expertise and experiences while decorating both the home and the gardens of this custom built 4600 square foot house with their national viewership via the FYH Show. In addition to creating the year around style and look of the home they will also decorate the home for the holidays in preparation for open house touring this holiday season.

“As a cancer survivor, it is a true honor to be involved with this project” says Vicki Payne. “Sloan and I look forward to sharing our ideas and concepts with our regular TV viewers as well as the thousands of attendees that will be touring the home. We will be relying on our national sponsors as well as dozens of volunteers to create a space that radiates the true spirit of the season and this important cause.”
The building of this 4,600-square-foot English style cottage home, designed and constructed by E.S. Johnson Builders, began in January of this year. The home’s construction is expected to be completed in October, will open to the public Thanksgiving weekend 2008, and will remain open for four weekends during the holiday season. Special events, workshops, and tours will take place with all proceeds benefiting the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Pictures displaying 'For Your Home' collection by Vicki Payne

Other pictures of the Dream Home

Giveaway Time!!!

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Today we are presenting you with a very fun and exciting giveaway. This time we are not going to select random winners but let our blog readers vote on their favorites! After the submission date has come to an end, then we will post a poll on the website that will allow you to vote on your favorite submission.

Now you are probably wondering what this wonderful giveaway entails! Well here you go! We want to see projects YOU have made out of our fabric that does not consist of your normal sewing project. Though we love seeing quilts, handbags and clothes you have made, we want your imagination to really be creative with this. An example of this would be using Modge Podge to create something with fabric. Jane Sassaman is a great example of this.

We want to see what you have come up with! We will post them on the flickr website as they come in so you can start to see and decide which ones you will vote for!

You are probably wondering what you are winning right? Well the inspiration for this giveaway was a piece of Fabricware. The grand prize winner (one who receives the most votes) will win a large Fabricware serving tray from our Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Products division. We will also have six additional winners that will receive selections of fabric similiar to this. We will be accepting submissions until 5pm on February 4th. You are allowed to submit one item that includes a picture, brief description and please include your name and address so if you do win, we will have your information. If you want to remain anonymous on the website, please state in the e-mail as well. E-mail submissions to elyse.mullis@westminsterfibers.com.

Also, we would really like our readers to become followers of the FreeSpirit blog so we can see what you are doing through your blog as well!

Good luck to everyone with the giveaway!