Asian fabrics have a distinctive appeal…colorful with swirling designs, often utilizing native flowers, apple blossoms and Oriental figures.  Kona Bay offers many of these appealing fabrics, as well as other information for quilters.
Also, here in the US, we don’t come across so many magazines that give us first hand information about quilting and fabric art in the Hawaiian Islands and other points of the Far East.  Asian Fabric Magazine offers insight into quilting and quilters of that part of the world.
You also can sign up for the free e-mail Kona Bay Quilters Newsletter, as I’ve done, to keep in touch with Hawaiian …read more

Superior Threads, producer of fine quilting threads, has an e-mail newsletter that I’ve mentioned previously.  As of January 30, Superior Threads has a blog, Mother Superior’s Blog.  It’s interesting to see photos of the Superior Threads home in St. George, Utah and to read about Bob and Heather Purcell’s work.
I’ve enjoyed the newsletter where I’ve learned much about threads, realizing there are threads and threads.  I’m looking forward to Mother Superior’s Blog.

Super Bowl
Have you made quilts for the football fans in your family?  What have you found for fabrics related to their favorite team?
I just scanned through some photos of fabrics with designs for the Pirates, Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots and Packers on them. 
 What have you found and how are you using these fabrics?  Do you have anything up on your blogs showing what Super Bowl related projects you’ve undertaken?

Obama Fabric
In keeping with current events, author and quilt historian Barbara Brackman has originated an  Obama fabric design  you can print off onto fabric sheets of your own. 
Thanks to Kyra, of Black Threads, for providing the link for the fabric Pdf at her post Barbara Brackman Designs Obama Fabric – you can print it!  At that same post, you’ll find another fabric Pdf featuring Obama and Biden.

When I saw the term “Twiggy Quilt Kits” mentioned on a web site, I thought of Twiggy, the stick thin model so popular in the late 1950s and ’60s.  I wondered, “Do they now have nostalgic fabrics about her?”
Then I took a look and realized my memories had dated me.  The quilt kits and fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop were Twiggy by Sanae for Moda Fabrics.  These include fabrics, fat quarters and charm packets with delightful designs including twigs and branches and leaves for a natural look.
Have you made anything with these Twiggy fabrics?  It seems to me they should fit …read more

One of my readers asked for suggestions regarding a quilting magazine with simple instructions.  She has a friend living in Prague, who speaks very little English.  However, she’s an avid quilter and would like to see some American quilting magazines.
The ones my reader has found seem too complex or someone who speaks Czech and very little English.
What would you suggest for a quilting magazine with simple, yet easy-to-understand directions.  Perhaps they should have pictures or illustrations that demonstrate the procedures for particular quilting projects.

Are you a collector of odds and ends related to sewing?  Not fabric nor embellishments, but the tiny tools of the trade?  Many of these items bring back memories of my early days of sewing and quilting with my grandmother.
These Items include:

Pin cushions
Thimbles
Needle threaders
Old sewing machine accessories
Bobbins
Spools with thread
Empty spools with identification marks
Pin boxes
Advertising cards
Travel sewing kits
Tape measures

The Crazy Haberdasher is one of the blogs that will provide information and pictures about these items and collecting them. 
What do you have in your collection?
(Bell Hop image at Amazon)

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Nowadays, quilters and fabric artists use many types of fabric, depending on whether the item they’re creating is useable/wearable art or something they hang on the wall. 
Here are some fabrics used today and yesterday. Some may be named because of their content while others by the design.  Some you may decide to try; others may bring back memories of quilts of yesteryear.

Cotton
Polyester
Linen
Linsey-Woolsey
Silk
Satin
Velvet
Burlap
Rayon
Polyester/Cotton
Gingham
Calico
Terry Cloth

Do you have something else you use?  Do you have a favorite fabric?  How do you use it?
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

DESIGN WALL FABRIC

Maggie requested help from other quilters.  Perhaps you can help her find the fabric she desires for her Design Wall.
I am looking for a heavy weight cotton flannel to cover a design wall. I found a source that sold pressing flannel which was double napped cotton flannel but it no longer carries the product. I used it to make a large pressing table. The flannel formed a beautiful cotton barrier before being covered by cotton duck. Does anyone have a source for such a product? Thank you.
Do any of you have information to help Maggie?
(Amazon image)

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
THURSDAY THIRTEEN

What do you use, reuse and recycle for your quilting and fabric art?  Where do you find these items so you stay on a frugal budget? 
 There are any number of places to acquire the items you need for quilting, patchwork, fabric art, and fiber art.  Yes, some you will want to have new.  Howeve, like our ancestors, you also can use frugal finds for your work.
Here are some suggestions:

Buttons cut from old clothing
Fabric from outgrown clothing
Trims from old clothing
Fat quarters at yard sales, like those my daughter sells for 50 cents each
Jewelry pieces (broken necklaces, pins, bracelets and odd earrings) …read more