National Sewing Month Featuring Verna Mosquera

Verna Mosquera shares her sewing story for National Sewing Month!

When I was a little girl my grandmother would come from Guatemala and spend about 6 months out of every year with my family. She was always sewing and doing handwork. She let me use her sewing machine a little. My mom realized I had a true interest in learning so one summer at the age of 9 she signed me up for a 6 week class at the Singer store in the local mall. 

I really loved the class and remember our summer project was to make a vest. At the end of the class there was a fashion show in the mall in which you would get to wear (show off) your creation. Well, even as a young girl I was a bit of an over achiever. I didn’t just make a vest I made a 3 piece suit! A jacket, pants, vest and a collared shirt. It was just lovely made of tan polyester and calico flowers. I mean it doesn’t get better than that. 

This past winter my mom passed away. As I was looking through some of her items I found the plaque from the trophy I had won. First place, no doubt. So funny because I had no recollection of winning any prize just the memory of proudly wearing that stunning 70’s creation. Thought it was pretty sweet of my mom to save it. That class changed my life and I thank my mom Vicky for recognizing my passions before I was able to. 

Make sure to sign up for a chance to win fabric from Verna Mosquera along with our Coats Quilt+ thread! You will also be entered for a chance to win our Grand Prize giveaway featuring SEW many goodies including a Janome AMH-100 Machine!


ENTER TO WIN HERE!

The Artist UnSEWn presents Love & Friendship by Verna Mosquera

20 years ago I began two romances. One was my love with my husband, Miguel and the other my love of quilting. They both started at the same time. I took my first quilting class the month I got married back in 1996. It seemed only fitting that in 2016, which marked the 20 year anniversary of both I’d commemorate my journey through a fabric collection. These romances both inspired LOVE & FRIENDSHIP.

I truly believe that one thing cannot exist with out the other. You find a certain friendship in those you love and often a love for those you are friends with. Miguel and quilting were no exception. With both, it started as an interest, then soon became a friendship and not long after a love to last the ages.

I met Miguel walking down the street in a beautiful place called Punta Del Este, Uruguay. We became fast friends sharing stories of our childhoods, the places we had visited and those we longed to discover. For years we corresponded through letters until I returned to Uruguay in the early nineties and lived there for over a year. Our friendship consisted of walks on the beach, dinners at outdoor cafes on hot summer nights and winter afternoons watching foreign films. He was very well read, so articulate, quite brilliant, extremely witty and pretty darn handsome too! It was not a wonder after a year our friendship turned to love, one that has endured. I was so lucky to marry my best friend.

My romance with Miguel brought tremendous travel. The places we longed to discover became reality as we began to travel the world together. We visited so many cities in Europe, Canada, South America and eventually the United States. With each trip our love and friendship grew and I gathered artistic inspirations in color and design.

Just a few of my favorite moments:

Indulging in flan on a rainy afternoon on the beaches of Punta Del Diablo, Uruguay

Renting and riding bikes through the trails in Whistler, Canada

Sight seeing and enjoying tea in the Cotswalds, England

Summer evenings eating gelato as we crossed the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy

Enjoying tapas and taking pictures in beautiful San Sebastian, Spain

Not long after we returned to the US, I took a quilting class as a New Years resolution to learn something new in my artistic life. What began as a curiosity, quickly turned to passion and the creative fire has never stopped. It led me to work in a quilting store, teach classes & eventually start my own pattern company, The Vintage Spool. When I attended my first quilt market I met Donna Wilder, founder of FreeSpirit and have been designing fabric for FreeSpirit Fabrics ever since.

With Miguel by my side I have had the opportunity to work as an artist while we raise our two boys Milo, 15 & Nico, 12. Starting my own business with Miguel as my partner has allowed me to be with my children every step of their young lives. Days can often get crazy as I wear many hats but my friendship with Miguel has endured and without him it could have never happened. He’s always been supportive in any way I needed. Doing everything from the books for The Vintage Spool, to loading vans for trade shows, to being Mr. Mom while I have traveled to teach.

While our recent journeys are closer to home we still often enjoy a day out antiquing together. He gets a kick out of old tools and I go crazy over vintage quilts, French ribbon and unique glass buttons. Our home is an eclectic mix of treasures usually up-cycled that we have found and spruced into something fresh and new. We never tire of being together. He is usually sitting alongside me on the couch as I stitch my newest designs in the evening. 

It’s amazing how far we have come in our romantic and creative journey. Miguel still makes me laugh, his shoulder is always there to lean on when times are tough and I haven’t gotten tired of looking at his handsome face. The love and friendship we have shared has been the most amazing gift in my life. It has been with his support that I have grown into the artist that I am today. Because of our love I am empowered to share my creativity with others through my Vintage Spool patterns and my collections for FreeSpirit.

LOVE & FRIENDSHIP is available from your favorite local quilt shop or online retailer in eight different prints and three color ways. I hope it will inspire the romantic in all of you.

View Love & Friendship HERE. Download our free Quilt Pattern HERE.

Inspiration from Verna Mosquera

I am always amazed by the inspiration that daily life brings. My newest collection, Snapshot, grew from a simple moment in time when I looked across the table and realized that my one time little boy had grown into a young man. How did those years go by so quickly? I couldn’t stop looking. In that moment completely unnoticed by him I took a mental Snapshot of him that will live in my mind forever. When he left for school I moved into my studio and began my newest collection. It began with sepia as it is so representative of an old photograph. Then I added pink, such a natural companion. Next came aqua, green and a hint of yellow, all colors used in days gone by. As I worked the color palette images of vintage photographs came to mind. Those images then sparked other delicate ideas - roses, small birds and more. Bit by bit Snapshot grew into something both lovely and nostalgic. Of course being the true romantic that I am it will always remind me of my son.

Snapshot Quilt – Raspberry Parfait Quilt, Vintage Spool pattern, PTVM06

Snapshot Pillows – Pillow Parade, Vintage Spool pattern, PTVM09

Visit the Discover section of www.makeitcoats.com to find projects and information 

about Verna Mosquera and Snapshot

New... Snapshot from Verna Mosquera!

I am always amazed by the inspiration that daily life brings. My newest collection, Snapshot, grew from a simple moment in time when I looked across the table and realized that my one time little boy had grown into a young man. How did those years go by so quickly? I couldn't stop looking. In that moment completely unnoticed by him I took a mental Snapshot of him that will live in my mind forever.  When he left for school I moved into my studio and began my newest collection. It began with sepia as it is so  representative of an old photograph. Then I added pink, such a natural companion. Next came aqua, green and a hint of yellow, all colors used in days gone by. As I worked the color palette images of vintage photographs came to mind. Those images then sparked other delicate ideas - roses, small birds and more. Bit by bit Snapshot grew into something both lovely and nostalgic. Of course being the true romantic that I am it will always remind me of my son.

Visit the Discover section of www.makeitcoats.com to find projects and information 

about Verna Mosquera and Snapshot

One Million Pillowcase Blog Hop by Verna Mosquera

I was excited when I was asked to participate in the One Million Pillowcase Blog Hop. It seemed like such a worthy cause and a wonderful way to share a few of the fabrics from my upcoming collection Snapshot for FreeSpirit Fabrics.

When I went to the All People Quilt link http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/freepatterns/index.html I was thrilled to see the many pillow case ideas/patterns that were available to choose from. I knew I wanted something simple enough to make but with some feminine detail. Of course I chose Pillowcase #1 because of the girly ruffle on the casing.

Because the body of the pillowcase was the largest area I knew that would be the focal fabric. I immediately gravitated to VM115 Blooming Border Stripe in Blush. It was the perfect place to feature a stripe.  As with all my collections there is one fabric that is my favorite. In Snapshot it is VM119 Love Birds in Slipper. This vintage inspired toile is so lovely and the pink version just makes me want to sew. I knew I wanted to feature it on the band of the pillowcase. It made the perfect romantic accent. In an effort to set off the ruffle I chose VM120 Moire in Mint.  The combination of the three just screamed “little girl”.

I ran my choices by my sons Milo & Nico and they too gave them the thumbs up. The pattern was quick and easy to follow. As I worked on the project I began to reflect on something personal. I tried to imagine who might use this pillowcase. I began to think of a time several years back when my youngest son was just two years old. He became very ill and was diagnosed with a disease I had never heard of called Kawasaki.

In a matter of days we found ourselves admitting him to the hospital for very serious treatments. It was such a scary time for our family. I remember taking comfort in the few things that were familiar. His favorite stuffed animal, my husband’s hand or my mothers reassuring words, that all would be ok. Luckily my son is healthy and strong today. He is a striving student, athlete and all around happy child. I am so grateful to all who diagnosed and took care of him. We were so lucky that our stay in the hospital was less than a week and that in a matter of months we knew he was healthy and strong.

There are so many families with children who are diagnosed with illness that is way graver and requires much longer stays in the hospital.  I remember taking comfort in the little things and decided I would donate my pillowcase to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, California.  As long as I can remember they have been treating sick children in my area. I hope that this simple gesture of making a pretty pillowcase can somehow bring a sick child some comfort or bring a smile in an unsettling time.

I hope that you will join me, and all of the others who are making pillowcases for their favorite charities. One small effort can make such a change in the world and I am honored to be a part of this amazing effort. 

For more information on how to participate go to http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/

Or to participate in the American Patchwork & Quilting First One Million Pillowcase Challenge 24 Hour Sew-A-Thon on September 19-20, 2014 go to http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/sewathon. Join virtually or find a participating shop in your community. BE A PART OF IT!

Verna Mosquera

Author of A Sewn Vintage Lifestyle

The Vintage Spool
(925)314-1740
www.thevintagespool.com
verna@thevintagespool.com

The Inspiration behind Verna Mosquera new Rosewater Collection

 

The rose has long been the symbol of love.  Timeless, alluring and majestic, it’s beauty has been celebrated for centuries. The simple fusion of a rose petals fragrance and fresh water are magical. Rosewater celebrates the classic beauty of the rose merged with the subtle changing shades of the sea. This collection is fresh and romantic. Its colors are reminiscent of those found in a seaside cottage set amongst a garden of roses. Coral pinks, ocean blues, fresh aquas and sunny yellows create a soothing palette. It is perfect for quilting, children’s wear and other home sewing and crafting projects. Sure to be a favorite of romantics everywhere.

Click here for the Rosewater Patwork Quilt pattern.

Fun gift to make!

Make this fun Pod Pillow perfect for propping up a tablet, e-reader or smart phone. For a more masculine take on this gift, try using FreeSpirit World Tour by Parson Gray. Of course a more feminine version can be made from FreeSpirit Pirouette by Verna Mosquera. Add whimsy for a tween using FreeSpirit Moxie by Erin McMorris -- proof positive that fabric can change the look of any project!

Drum Roll please . . . . the winner is!

The randomly selected commentator and the winner of the Verna Mosquera book, A Sewn Vintage Lifestyle, and a 30 piece fat quarter of FreeSpirit Billet-Doux, is HeartsDesire. She says,  

"I always enjoy reading anything that highlights a quilter's journey, and Verna's book is no exception. Instead of taking the easy quilting road, I'm going to push ahead and try something I've not done before. I'd love to make a Dear Jane quilt and now, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway."

Congratulations!

Verna Mosquera Giveaway!

We hope you were inspired by the story of how Verna Mosquera developed her book. While her tips are what she learned about herself while writing this book, they (the tips)are relevant for just about anything in life. Whether you are thinking about changing your career or want to step outside of your sewing comfort zone, Verna tells us to believe in ourselves, ask for what we want and shows us we can do anything we set our mind too.

So now, push yourself to a new sewing technique or try something you have never done before. Comment below about how Verna's Tips inspired your sewing, quilting or crafting and we will send one randomly selected commentator a copy of Verna's book as well as her 30 pc. fat quarter from FreeSpirit Billet-Doux, her newest collection. Deadline for commenting is Monday, July 8. Happy 4th of July!

The making of a ballerina! Piourette giveaway time!

Yesterday we did a photo shoot in an old southern home, not necesarily a plantation but one that reminds you that you are in the land of rocking chairs on wrap around porches.  One of the fabrics shot was FreeSpirit Piourette from Verna Mosquera.  We had an adorable 4 year old model who fell in love with the tutu she modeled, declaring she no longer wanted to be Taylor Swift but a model.  To Miss Karsyn we bequeth the Piourette tutu and leotard!  To you, our ever faithful blog followers, we want to bequeth some FreeSpirit Piourette fabric. Did you ever dream of being a ballerina? Have all your dreams come true and do you still dare to dream?  Comment by midnight Sunday, December 2nd and six, random commentators will be selected to receive six, 1 yard cuts of Piourette by Verna Mosquera -- it may make your dreams come true!

Piourette by Verna Mosquera . . . Ballerinas In Pink

I am so excited about the opportunity to share my new fabric line Pirouette for FreeSpirit. One of the best things about being a designer/artist is that you never know when an inspiration will arrive. Last year while attending Road To California I stopped in my favorite booth, Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods. Anyone who's ever popped in knows it's a sea of wonderful vintage ribbon, buttons and trims. Immediately I was taken in by these delicious pieces of vintage lace in the most wonderful mocha color.

Next I found a gorgeous rose appliqué in shades of pink flamingo on a sand background. Before I knew it, in that 10 x 20 foot booth an inspiration was born. I ran and asked my assistant for a cellophane bag and began to fill it with the most interesting treasures. A collection of ivory, mocha, pink and green elements. As I looked at what was growing it took me back to a time I spent in Paris many years ago with my husband. We spent numerous hours admiring the works of Degas. The delicious colors in the celo bag reminded me of those wonderful paintings of ballerinas I has seen so many years ago.

Ballerinas In Pink by Edgar Degas from wikipaintings.org

I took my bag of treasures home and when I arrived I began to hunt for images of those Degas paintings. Sure enough before long, there it was! A delicate piece called Ballerinas In Pink. I could hardly believe my eyes. The colors in the painting were exactly as I had remembered and exactly as those in my bag full of vintage materials.

In that moment Pirouette was born. I took the color palette and mixed it with wonderful vintage inspired prints. Romantic florals, vintage ticking, tartan plaid and a playful dot. I even did a tonal print filled with ballet terms. I took the pink flamingo and stretched the color to its darkest shade a delicious ruby red. To bring in a cooler color I added green but mixed a little yellow to have it keep a vintage feel.

Verna at Quilt Marke showing off her Piourette Quilt

It was hard to wait for the fabrics to arrive but meanwhile I began to envision a quilt design. I thought of a ballerina silhouette and other ballet images. Enter Prima Ballerina, an appliqué design in my recognized style. The ballerina dress was the perfect spot for the largest floral in the collection. I want that dress!!! As usual the quilt grew and the playful images we're so fun to envision each fabric in.
Much to my wonderful surprise Elyse of Westminster Fibers suggested making a ballet dress out of the collection which I think is terrific! Did I mention my only regret is not having studied ballet? I can't imagine a more graceful art. The imagery of ballerinas, tutus and ballet shoes could not be more romantic. Art is so personal and mine is often filled with that which I hold dear.
When my yardage finally arrived I was thrilled to begin working with it. Aside from Prima Ballerina I decided to make up some fun pillows from my Pillow Parade pattern. Next came some fun holiday stockings from my Christmas Treasures pattern. The line was so much fine to play with. In my mad rush to head off to market I even whipped up two projects from my upcoming book, A Vintage Sewn Lifestyle - a darling laundry bag and a charming apron.

What I love most about Pirouette is the versatility of the collection. I can hardly wait to return to my studio to keep making more things. I still want to whip a few little girls dresses and a patchwork quilt. I might even cover a chair or footstool for my living room. Maybe cover some lampshades, the possibilities are endless. I hope everyone will be as inspired by the collection as I am.

 

 

FreeSpirit announces winners of Kathy Davis fabric!

It seems many FreeSpirit fabric fans love to scatter joy through their quilting and sewing.  The six, randomly selected winners of six, 1 yard cuts of Kathy Davis fabric are: Crickets Corner, banjo 795, Amy's Crafty Shenanigans, artsygirljeanette, mary mahoo and Ali.  Congratulations to all.  Stay tuned, in November we will feature Verna Mosquera and her new collection called Piourette inspired by Ballerina Dancers in Pink, a painting by Edgar Degas.

Verna Mosquera showing Piourette at Fall Quilt Market