Kathy Doughty introduces Material Obsession

Kathy Doughty's Material Obsession shop has been one of Australia's favorite quilt stops! Kathy's eye for quilting and mixing colors and pattern are nothing short of impressive. Kathy told us a bit more about her shop and her love of quilting. 

"I have been a shop owner since 2003. Material Obsession is a creative centre where people come to explore color and design freely and with support."

"As a self taught quilter my experience expanded on the floor of the shop working directly with customers helping them with their quilting issues.  I have an eclectic style developed from the many influences of the talented quilters I work with including many popular Australian designers.  My quilts grow organically inspired by challenging fabrics….stripes, plaids, big and colourful prints…if it looks like it might not sell you’ll find it in one of my quilts to demonstrate how to use the fabric."

"Combining contemporary designer fabrics has always been my area of expertise.  Long before colourful big prints were popular they were all we had on the shelves.  Exciting combinations of print on print are my specialty.  My quilt designs are never complicated technically but rather create interest by the way the fabric is used."

"My workshops are geared to encourage quilters to be confident in their decision making by providing methods for selecting fabrics, choosing techniques and generally reducing quilter confusion."

"Being a FreeSpirit designer is like coming home.  The names of the designers on the team comprise the majority of my stash and quilts.  In the beginning, customers would walk in my shop, look at the walls and declare, “this shop will never last!”   Determined to prove them wrong I set out to change the perception of what is acceptable in a quilt…"

Learn more about Kathy Doughty and her collections with FreeSpirit!

A day devoted to your local quilt shop!

Saturday, January 25 has been dubbed Local Quilt Shop Day.  It is THE day worldwide when quilt shops should be celebrated. This means, it’s the perfect day for you and your friends to patronize your local quilt shop!

 

So much occurs behind the doors of your local quilt shop.  It is more than a place where you can buy fabric and become inspired.  It is a place of fellowship! Aren’t some of your closest friends someone you met at a class or event at your local Quilt shop?

It is a place where you can learn about the latest quilting technique, a notion or two which makes your creativity more fun and easier or the latest and greatest in fabric collections or sewing machine technology.  It’s a place where your kids can sign up for a summer camp, engage in the life skill of sewing all while learning resourcefulness and reinforcing math skills.

It’s a place where you can expand your creative horizons, become proficient at a craft you love and share your knowledge and handiwork with others who will ohhh and ahhh over the wonders of transforming flat fabric into something three-dimensional.

It’s a place where they know your name, your story, your family’s hopes and dreams.  More importantly, it is a small business which sustains families that live in your community and often gives back in simple and meaningful ways. 

Did you know that according to NFIB and American Express Research, this year, consumers who were aware of Small Business Saturday (November 30, 2013) reported spending $5.7 billion with independent merchants on the day, an increase of 3.6% from a strong $5.5 billion in 2012? 

So won’t you join the celebration on January 25? Show your support and love for your local quilt shop owner who thoughtfully considers your sewing and quilting dreams when she opens his/her doors. Who knows you want the perfect fabric, to make the perfect quilt which will bring your family fond and loving memories for years, perhaps decades to come.  Click here for more information and get out and shop!

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