WILD & WONDERFUL – BRODERIE BOHEME BY ODILE BAILLOEUL

Winter blues getting you down? Need a dose of color to brighten up your days? Odile Bailloeul's Broderie Boheme collection will have you smiling in no time. Brimming with color and folksy feelings, Odile's designs encourage you to let loose and go a little wild.

Today's project focuses on using one special feature of the Fairy Tale and Chessboard prints from this collection. The stitch details of these designs provide the perfect guide for a bit of embellishment. With embroidery thread or pearl cotton you can add dimension and texture to your projects. Just choose some design elements and get to work.

For these bags, the embroidery embellishment is minimal as the front will see a lot of use with keys and pens going in and out of the pocket. Even so, the result is a fun mix of fabric and thread. Pattern is Pretty Pocket Purse by Jane Sassaman.

The embroidery stitches are basic—seed stitches, french knots and satin stitches. Three strands were used for the seed stitches and satin stitches. Two strands of Anchor floss were sufficient for the knots. For extra drama, add seed beads to your stitches.

Do your embroidery on the exterior bag pieces of your choosing before assembling the bag. If you use a hoop when stitching, cut the bag piece out after you have finished embellishing. As you put the bag together, take extra care when pressing.

The addition of felt balls along the bottom of the purse ups the boho factor. You may choose to replace these with long fringe or pom pom trim. Make it your own and add embellishments to suit your mood.

If bag making isn't your thing, select a section for embellishment and once complete, frame it in a hoop or picture frame. There's no end to the fun.

Broderie Boheme ships to stores this month!

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THE AUTHENTIC STYLE OF WILLIAM MORRIS: Access to the unrivaled archives of The Original Morris & Co.
brings to quilters true William Morris artistry

In case you have not heard, FreeSpirit has some very exciting news!  We are collaborating with  The Original Morris & Co., based in Denham, England.  This unique partnership gives the FreeSpirit brand exclusive access to fascinating original works and colorations dating back to the establishment of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co in 1861.

Known as the father of the Arts and Crafts Movement, William Morris longed for the simple beauty of artisans working alongside one another in collaboration using the best of natural materials. Much like quilters, he enjoyed the pure essence of artistic crafts, and then sharing that enjoyment with all. FreeSpirit is pleased to share the true aesthetics and authenticity of his art with quilters who are as passionate, using their talents to create their own masterpieces.

Two iconic collections are playing upon the true aesthetics of William Morris. Kelmscott, inspired by the picturesque Cotswold retreat of William Morris, celebrates the extraordinary patterns and detail within Morris’ work. Featuring iconic designs such as Strawberry Thief and Bachelors Button in a colorful palette, these classic designs beautifully complement a selection of smaller scale co-ordinates in light and fresh colorways.  This collection of 29 enduring designs will be available in now.

Named after Merton Abbey Mills, Merton, available in March, is where much of William Morris’ design work and production took place. The collection of 21 timeless fabrics features well-loved Morris designs such as Snakeshead, Chrysanthemum and Willow Boughs recreated in new, contemporary color palettes, perfect for quilters to infuse their creativity with re-imagined, heritage rich designs.

Want to learn more? Here are some fun things to watch for to inspire your quilting and your love for these beautiful Fabrics.

Host Susan Brubaker Knapp (left) and guest Luana Rubin (right) talk about
the influences of William Morris on modern textiles on Quilting Arts airing now on PBS.  

Watch your local PBS station for Quilting Arts TV Show featuring a show staring equilter.com owner and textile expert Luana Rubin. She talks about William Morris and his influence in textiles and today’s quilting cottons.

Stars & Pinwheels designed by Sally Ablett,
in Today's Quilter, issue 32, on sale now. 

·      Today’s Quilter magazine issue 32 is now in stores. The magazine comes complete with a supplemental issue about William Morris including the free Stars & Pinwheels quilt pattern designed by Sally Ablett.

Star Nouveau quilt designed by Carolyn Beam
in the March/April issue of McCall's Quilting on sale now!

More inspiration can be found in the March/April issue of McCall’s Quilting magazine.  Look at Star Nouveau by Carolyn Beam. This medallion quilt pattern combines the FreeSpirit prints in the prettiest way.

There is more to come!  We are thrilled to bring to life the principles that drove William Morris through creative collaboration with its own artistic talents. Together, this unique relationship will bring to life the artistry, vision and authentic style of William Morris. Click here to find your nearest shop carrying these iconic fabrics. 

FreeSpirit presents Folk Tales by Jane Sassaman

PERSONALITY PLUS – JANE SASSAMAN'S FOLK TALES

Happy New Year! Are you ready to start things off with a bang? Need some ideas to help you keep your sewing and making resolutions for 2018? Look no further. We've got you covered.

Jane Sassaman's newest collection, Folk Tales, is shipping to stores this month. The fun factor in this collection is high and makes for easy drama no matter what project you choose. Jane is known for her personality prints and bold, beautiful color combinations and Folk Tales does not disappoint. You'll find bugs, chickens and lovely flowers—all of which combine to do the hard work for you.

These motifs practically beg to be made into kitchen projects. Everything from aprons to pot holders to place mats and table runners are excellent options. Because the best way to set yourself up for success with those sewing resolutions is to start easy with great fabric, today's tutorial will walk you through the necessary steps to make two place mats (18 1/2” x 14 1/2”).

To begin, cut the following pieces:

            (2) 10 1/2” x 14 1/2” rectangles from Kerchief

            (4) 3 1/2” x 14 1/2” strips of Blanket Stripe

            (4) 1 1/2” x 14 1/2” strips of solid black

            (4) 2” x Width of Fabric strips of Indispensable Dots (optional)

            (2) 18 1/2” x 14 1/2” rectangles of Bumblebee

            (2) 18 1/2” x 14 1/2” rectangles of fusible fleece

Sew one Blanket Stripe strip to one side of a Kerchief rectangle. Sew a second Blanket Stripe strip to the other side of Kerchief rectangle. Press seams.

Sew a solid black strip to each Blanket Stripe. Press seams.

Repeat for second place mat.

Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse one piece of fusible fleece to each pieced top.

Optional: If choosing to omit binding, sew the pieced top and the backing, right sides together, around the edges. Leave a gap of approximately 4” inches for turning on one side. Clip the corners. Turn right side out and press. Slip stitch the opening closed. Edgestitch around all sides of the place mat. Quilt as desired.

Place pieced top and backing wrong sides together. Baste as necessary. Quilt as desired. Trim edges if necessary.

Sew 2” strips of Indispensable Dots together end to end. Press in half along length, wrong sides together. Pin to front side of place mat and sew. Press to back and hand stitch in place.

To add dramatic flair to your table setting, use the Kerchief yardage to make a table cloth. Or enlarge a quilt block to make a table topper as seen in this inspiration only image.

These easy mats make great gifts and are just the thing to keep on hand for last minute gifting. If you're short on time, skip the piecing and use a single 14 1/2” x 18 1/2” rectangle of different prints for a varied table setting. Easy peasy!

Choose a colorway, grab some yardage, and start enjoying a pop of color in the new year!

Iconic Tula Pink designs now available for you to backstitch, French knot, chain stitch, etc. in her new book, Coloring with Thread!



The Chipmunk from Chipper, the Frog Fly King from Prince Charming, Pony Play from Fox Field, Astraea flower from Elizabeth, plus so much more awaits you in the pages of the new Coloring with Thread by Tula Pink.





 

 

Coloring with Thread by Tula Pink, Available Now

All these designs, so lovingly created through Tula Pink's talented hand and watchful eye, are iconic in the world of fabric and quilting.  They are near and dear to Tula's heart, each with their own imaginative tales of adventure and playful spirits, much like Tula. We have all fallen in love with the thought and idea of who Tula has created them to be, line by line, vibrant color after vibrant color, so lovingly placed with intention and vision.

Now Tula, asks you to collaborate with her by loading your needle with the gorgeous colors of Anchor embroidery floss, and bringing to life these iconic drawings by coloring with thread.  She is anxiously waiting to see you hand-stitch Dear Me from Moonshine, the Octopi from Salt Water or The Hare from Slow and Steady.

If you haven't hand-stitched in ages, now is the time to dust off your embroidery hoop and refresh your hands with simple stitches or jump right in and satin stitch.  Coloring with Thread tells you everything you need to know from helpful tips for transferring designs to the best fabrics for you hand-stitching to call home.  This books is the perfect primer whether you are a seasoned professional or you are just looking for a portable, creative hobby. Tula offers 17 heart-felt designs, awaiting you to breathe new life into each soulful line.   

Our friends from The Quilting Company asked us to help spread the word.  Read what other bloggers are saying about Coloring with Thread by Tula Pink. As you know, Tula is near and dear to our hearts and we'd love to hear from you. Comment on our blog and tell us about your first hand embroidery project. We will select one commentator on Friday, December 15, to win a package of Tula Pink fabric and some goodies from Anchor, so you can Color with Thread! 

November 27^th The Quilting Company  

November 28^th  Minki’s Worktable  

November 29^th Wildboho  

November 30^th Sew Daily

December 1^st Nydia Kehnle Design 

December 4^th Lilabelle Lane Creations 

December 5^th Raspberry Sunshine  

December 6^th Crafty Planner 

December 7^th zakkaArt  

December 8^th Elise & Emelie  

December 11^th Coats & Clark Sewing Secrets

December 12^th Sew Sweetness    

December 13^th Free Spirit Fabrics  

December 14^th The Sewful Life  

December 15^th The Quilting Company  

 



 Photos courtesy of F & W Media.

The Artist UnSEWn Series presents Autumn Grace by Verna Mosquera

Autumn, my favorite of all seasons. As I sat down to write this blog post I began to reminisce about what this beautiful season has meant throughout my life. It has gifted me wonderful memories.

As a young girl I would spend hours raking leaves before school with my older brother. Just when we thought each tree could not shed another, more and more would fall making the quantities seem endless. Even though a chore it somehow turned into great fun as we dove into our piles at the end of each day.

In my teens it represented fall sports, endless hours training soccer on the green grass fields as the sun set in California and created the most beautiful skies of pink. Weekends meant watching and playing football in the backyard. Although my taste is now girly I grew up a bit of   a tomboy never wanting to be left out of the action.

When I got married autumn meant long runs after work with my husband feeling those crackling leaves crush under each stride. The air was cool and crisp and so invigorating. Saturday mornings meant trips to the farmers market picking delicious apples, pomegranates and squash in endless varieties of color.

Soon came motherhood and autumn became about a new school year and watching my boys grow. In the early years that meant walking them to school playing kick the acorn and scoring goals through a break in the side walk at the end of the street. They were everywhere as our town is blessed with the most beautiful oak trees. Then trips to the pumpkin patch where the boys wanted orange and my heart would sing when I’d see white & blue green cinderella varieties.

Of course no autumn season would have been complete without long family gatherings full of laughs and comfort food. Not to mention those special coffee outings with girlfriends while the boys were still in class. It is the perfect time to gather.

It is also a time to express gratitude for all that life brings each year. There is no greater sentiment as I have been and continue to be incredibly blessed by all those around me. I am also incredibly thankful for my creativity and the way that I am able to see the world in its most vivid and subtle beauty. I most definitely embrace autumn in all the grace it offers.

As I designed Autumn Grace I had all of these treasured memories and delightful colors in mind. The collection is peaceful and romantic just the way I see this very special season. I am currently working on a new appliqué quilt called Forever Fall. The weather is perfect as I curl up in the comfort of my studio to stitch a while. With the boys in their teens now my days are   spent with my dog Oliver who finds his autumn fun chasing squirrels in the backyard. Autumn days are just as wonderful as they have always been and the memories just keep on coming.

I hope that all of you will find my newest collection Autumn Grace inspiring, I can hardly wait to see what folks make out of it.