Batik has made a real comeback in the past few years – especially when it comes to fibers artists, quilters and crafters.
In fact, most quilts shops now have an extensive selection of very pricey batik prints to choose from!
But why is batik so expensive?
Well, for one thing – it can be a very labor-intensive process.  The dye and wax must be layered on for each color, which takes time to do, set and cure.  The fabric is usually quite a high-thread count quilting cotton as well, which adds to the price.

But you can also make your own batik fabric as …read more

I’ve been a fan of Kaffe Fasset for as long as I can remember – it must be because my mom knitted me sweaters from his incredible patterns
I’ve also completed several of his needlepoint projects over the years.  They’re luscious, but not for the first time stitcher!
Kaffe Fasset also works with fiber art designers to create gorgeous quilts as well.  Glorious Color carries the complete line of Kaffe fabrics and even full kits to create bed quilts.
Check out some of these yummy fabrics!
“Jade Lotus Leaf” :

“Asian Circles “:

‘Dancing Leaves “:

Yummy!
images: Glorious Color

Are you a fan of Jay McCarroll from Project Runway?
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Then I’ve got some good news for you!  Jay McCarroll has recently collaborated with Free Spirit Fabrics to create a line of quilting cottons.  The prints are fresh, modern and very charming.
Here are links to the “Garden Friends” collection and the “Woodland Wonderland” collection.
image: PicApp

I thought that it’s been too long since I’ve hosted a contest on Tangled Thread… I’m giving away on of my DH’s copper fiber art tags, this one says “Love” in block letters.  I had so many responses about my hand-dyed quilting cottons that I’ve decided to also include five 4 inch squares of the colors you see here!
Okay, now the rules:  Due to shipping costs, the contest is open to residents of the continental USA and Canada.   To enter, just leave a comment on this post, describing what you’re going to do with the tag and the fabric.  The …read more

I’m working on a piece of fiber art with a minimum of 25 different colors & prints on it.  I’ve got a very definite idea about what I’m doing, but what happens when I go to my stash and it looks like this:

Or this:

Or… this:

Inspiring, luscious, yummy – oh yes!  But I need to get my colors into some kind of order before I start hacking up fabric.
Here are the fabrics I’ve pulled, mostly in order, for this project:

I’d still like to organize them a little bit more before I start cutting individual pieces.  I’m using a color swatch board …read more

How was your long weekend? Did you have a chance to relax outside, maybe have a bbq? Spend some time with friends or family (or even just curl up with a good book)?
Whatever you did, I hope you had a great one!
Ready to play in your studio again?
I thought it would be fun to post a great Canadian site for fabric – after all, I’ve got a lot of readers from all over
The Satin Moon Quilt Shop, in Victoria, British Columbia, has an amazing variety of yummy fabrics, notions, and even things like Shiva Paintstiks, which …read more

I’m trying to get my studio back into some form of order – I’ve been so focused on making things for my wedding that I’ve been very bad about organizing
Of course, sales on yummy quilting cottons don’t help much either!

I’ve got a real problem and/or passion for quilting cotton – I swear it’s an addiction!  I see a bolt of freshly marked down cottony-loveliness and my palms start sweating.  Luckily, I do actually use many yards of the stuff a year