Asian fabrics have a distinctive appeal

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 and Asian quilting.

Why don’t you share your Asian quilting experiences with us, whether you’ve been to the Far East and experienced quilting and fabric art there or you simply enjoy the designs and fabrics to try at home here?

(Kona Bay fabric Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Asian Quilting Fabrics Are Distinctive, Especially at Kona Bay

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.

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Superior Threads Now Has a Blog

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?

Post from: Blisstree

Super Bowl Fabrics for Super Quilting Projects

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Barbara Brackman Designs Obama Fabric You Can Print

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 in well with nature themed projects.

Post from: Blisstree

Twiggy Quilt Kits & Memories

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.

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Search for a Quilting Magazine with Simple Instructions

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)

Post from: Blisstree

Collecting All Things Sewing

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.

1. Cotton
2. Polyester
3. Linen
4. Linsey-Woolsey
5. Silk
6. Satin
7. Velvet
8. Burlap
9. Rayon
10. Polyester/Cotton
11. Gingham
12. Calico
13. 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

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Fabrics for Quilting & Fabric Art

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)

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Quilting Query – Seeking Design Wall Fabric

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:

1. Buttons cut from old clothing
2. Fabric from outgrown clothing
3. Trims from old clothing
4. Fat quarters at yard sales, like those my daughter sells for 50 cents each
5. Jewelry pieces (broken necklaces, pins, bracelets and odd earrings) of your own or at yard sales.
6. Fabric found at yard sales, often very inexpensive or acquired by the bagfull
7. Unfinished quilt pieces…cut but never used
8. Old pieces of lace found at yard sales
9. Odd beads and sequins from old necklaces or clothing
10. Cast-off items left at your local dump/incinerator
11. Boxes or bags of items sold at auctions
12. Traded items at quilt groups
13. Greatly reduced items at quilt/fabric shops

What are your frugal finds and where do you acquire them?

(Amazon image; click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Frugal Finds for Quilting & Fabric Art