Plume by Tula Pink for Moda Fabrics

Plume blew in like a bullet of sunbeams here at the Shop. We so needed a beautiful burst of Tula Pink after so many, many dreary days. The colors are what get me. Always bright and saturated, artistic and unexpected, and just a dose of what my mood needs. And it's like, yeah, uh huh, Tula Pink is back to rock your world. Plume is a full-on avian adventure -- you can get lost in the billows and feathers, and there is an air of mystique in those beautiful keys dangling from the treetops -- what magic do they unlock? But I digress...here's TP!

Hey Kids! I can't believe I am here again! Already! I have barely had time to recover from Hushabye but here we are. Another season and another flock of fabrics. I am here this time with Plume, my newest baby, fresh off the press from Moda Fabrics. I know what you're thinking, birds again? Yes, birds again but these birds are even more magical than before. I was going for an old school feel with a lot of the detail and depth that is found in historic prints but hopefully I've brought a little candy colored edge to it too.

When I set out to design Plume I was trying to make something a little more organic. I am typically a great lover of order in my work. I strive for the perfect line and absolute precision. This time I tried letting that go (a little bit) and allowed the images to emerge from my pencil with more fluidity and less structure. It's still there but I consider it an evolution of sorts.

I've been at this fabric design thing for a few years now and it just keeps getting harder, better but harder. It's harder because I am always setting out to stretch the limits of what I know I can do and force myself to do more. Its better because by pushing myself I tend surprise myself. Every time I sit down to draw I am thinking about you, the sewers, crafters and fabric lovers (I am one too). Plume was designed as a conduit between my vision and yours. The funny thing about creating a raw material is that when my process is complete, yours has just begun. So take Plume as an offering from me to you. I hope it inspires you to create something beautiful, something that you can love and enjoy as much as I did making it.

Your devoted designer,
Tula Pink
TulaPink.com

1895 Hoffman Batiks - A Love Affair...

Due to popular, popular demand, we now carry a rainbow of Hoffman's 1895 batik fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop as a regular staple. You can find them under our Basics category and Batiks category on our left hand sidebar. Cheryl, who happens to heart batiks, is going to be your FQS shop guide for today's post!

I can’t really say when my love affair with batiks began, but I truly LOVE batiks! Now I find myself surrounded with the most gorgeous batik fabrics in a myriad of colors! Where do I begin—color me happy! We have recently added to our inventory, and now I’m like a kid in a candy shop (I was before, but now there are more temptations)! As I begin to count, we now have here in the Fat Quarter Shop over 90 different colors in the fabulous Hoffman 1895 watercolor batiks.

These spectacular watercolor Bali prints are the consummate basics line — perfect for blending with other batiks, or, of course standing alone. What is even more wonderful — if you buy an entire bolt from Fat Quarter Shop, you will receive 20% off of that item! We have 24 more colors coming next month, so prepare to be dazzled! No one does batiks better than Hoffman, and now with all those incredible choices I can find literally any color I want.

Take a virtual stroll with me down the aisles in the batik section of the Fat Quarter Shop. The first things to catch my attention are the 1895 fat quarter bundles—six different colorway bundles, each more gorgeous than the last. Just looking at the names of the bundles makes my heart race. Emerald, strawberry, amethyst, sunshine, cancun and toast. I know that with just a moment of reflecting on those color names, your pulse is a little accelerated, too!

Maybe I can’t purchase all 90 + colors today, but believe me, I have more than a few at home in my stash just waiting to come alive. And we will continue to offer the ultimate in Hoffman 1895 batiks for your (and my!) projects. If there were only more time…..!

Cheryl Cohorn
Fat Quarter Shop

2010 Designer Mystery Block of the Month

One of Kimberly's most (in)famous quotes around these parts is, "I have an idea." Those words started the first Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery BOM in 2008, and now here we are in our third year of it! Before we used lines by perennial favorites 3 Sisters for Moda, but this year we're shaking things up a little. Cheryl's here to share a little more with y'all about the this year's club! Click for all of the details and to sign up!

One of the most exciting things around here is the think tank. As ideas began to circulate about the next (our third!!) Designer Mystery block of the month program, a very special plan emerged. We wanted to have a different "feel" with this one...to use fabric unlike the previous programs and have blocks that in no way resembled the first two quilts.

Which comes first, the fabric or the block design?? No matter, the decision was soon made. The 2010 Designer Mystery Block of the Month will debut in June, featuring 12 Days of Christmas fabrics by Kate Spain (see our previous post about her debut line Verna), and best of all, novelty blocks depicting some of the most recognizable holiday icons.

Kimberly has had many, many emails from you asking what kinds of blocks will be included. What things come to your mind first when thinking of Christmas? Here's a little teaser for you -- the blocks include 2 different packages, 2 different ornaments, a Santa hat, a fabulous gingerbread house (fabulous!! see the sneak peek below!), a stocking, a mitten, a tree, a wreath, peppermints and a basket. And we've brought back our favorite quilt designers to the line-up, with the addition of our Pam Buda, Carrie Nelson, Sherri Falls and Gudrun Erla!

The designers this year are:

• Bonnie & Camille
• Anka's Treasures
• Heartspun Quilts
• Pieces from My Heart
• G. E. Designs
• This & That
• Miss Rosie's Quilt Company
• The Pattern Basket
• Me and My Sister Designs (yay for the new blog by the way!)
• Minick & Simpson
• Bunny Hill Designs
• Fig Tree Quilts

One block has already been tested (instructions proofed, fabric cut and block completed!), and another one will soon be ready. Can I tell you, the wreath block is simple but absolutely adorable!! Can't wait to get to the next block!

The 2010 Designer Mystery quilt, setting by our good pal Brenda Riddle, is one of the cutest Christmas quilts I have ever seen! I get to see gorgeous fabrics and creative patterns and designs every day, and this one has me itching to join! Every block will be a happy, whimsical memento of that favorite holiday. Everything about it makes me smile! Sprinkle some funky stars in the corners (another little teaser!) for added smiles. I'm spreading the word...you will NOT want to miss this one!! Please join us!

Cheryl Cohorn
Fat Quarter Shop

Verna by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics

Verna, Verna, Verna! Everyone went Verna-crazy at Market last October, and rightfully so! I don't think I've ever met a happier Spring line (no, not Spring yet? Wishful thinking? Fiiiiine...) But it'll at least be Spring when we're surrounded in the Shop with Veeeerna! We've got all the cuts, yardage, and plenty of great kits for this collection! Here's another funny memory -- designer Kate Spain was pretty much re-named "Verna" after Market -- lots of people asking who that new Verna was LOL. After this line -- and her next, 12 Days of Christmas due out in April -- Kate's name will definitely be cemented in Quilter Land. Be sure and stop by her blog if you haven't already -- she's been churning out really super stuff!

Flash back. It was about a year ago that I completed the designs for Verna. I don't even think I had a name for the collection yet. The colors were much darker and completely different, and the first set of printouts were probably on their way to Cheryl at Moda (or on her desk awaiting review). I had no idea what would come of it. During that year, I've been to my first International Quilt Market in Houston, I've created some pretty cool crafty Verna beauties, and I'm already working on my third line for Moda!

Flash to a minute ago. *Jumping up and down* Yipppeee! I'm so excited to learn that Verna is now shipping out across time zones and continents to land at a fabric store near you (it has already arrived here at FQS)! One of the luckiest things about what I do is that I get to share it with so many creative people. Thank you for welcoming me into the fabric world and for sharing your enthusiasm with me. I'm so happy to know that Verna is in your hands now and it's truly my hope that you will find inspiration in the cheerful bouquet of spring colors and the warm beams of sun I tried to capture in all the flowers and folds. I hope you have as much fun making things with it as I did designing it. Please send pictures anytime. I'd love to see what you dream up!

It's amazing what can happen in a year — a thousand thanks to everyone at Moda!

Kate Spain
Kate Spain Designs
The Drawing Board

Helping Haiti: The Auction Winners...

I am so excited writing this. This silent auction started as a tiny thing; we just wanted to use whatever samples we had in our shop to raise a bit of money for Haiti disaster relief. And then it sort of grew a life of its own, thanks to many good folks.

Thanks to Joanna Figueroa, Stephanie Dunphy, Laurie Simpson, Pam Buda, Anne Sutton, Lissa Alexander, Barbara Jones, Bari J., Genevieve Gail, Barb & Mary, the Fat Quarter Shop girls, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Henry Glass Fabrics, Denise Sheehan, Mary Cowan, and Happy Zombie for your quilt/craft donations! And thanks to American Patchwork & Quilting and everyone else who helped us get the word out! We didn't solicit ANYONE for ANYTHING -- they all contacted us individually and offered to donate after we had already announced the auction. Awesome.

And thank you all for participating with your comments & bids, for your willingness to use the financial resources you have, no matter the amount, to send desperately needed help & hope to Haiti. It is still their number one need for now, and we are moved that we can offer anything at all.

Here are the winners! If you have not already, please e-mail Jocelyn proof of your donation to any of the organizations listed in this post, and we will arrange for your quilt to be sent to you!

Dionysia - Parisian Pastries Quilt
Kathy - Peach Cobbler Quilt
Diane - Shade Garden Quilt
Sandy - Ice Cream Swirls Quilt
Maria a.k.a. passingdowncrazy - Bunk House Kid quilt
ANONYMOUS - Garden Cameo Quilt If this is you, please contact us!
Connie H. - The Bunny Run quilt
Julie Herman a.k.a. Jaybird - Zen Garden quilt
Lizzie - Pennsylvania Dutch Sampler Quilt
Brenda Kowalski - Spring Hill Quilt
Suzie - Dandelion Wishes Quilt
Connie H. - Neptune's Girl Quilt
Sandy Bovee - Bay Breeze Quilt
Jocelyn - Ice Cubes Baby Quilt
Mother Peg - Craft Addict Brooch
Dionysia - Woodstock Quilt
Sue Gaffney - Fiona's Frolic Quilt
Joyce a.k.a. Creations by Jellen - Dora S'mores Quilt
Sandy - Fresh Laundry Quilt
Claudia - Miss Jump's Honeycomb Quilt
Suzie - Charlotte S'mores Quilt
Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio -  Alison Wristlet in Cream
Kathy - Alison Wristlet in Fuchsia
Suz - Cotton Blossoms Quilt
Vicky - The Sailboat Quilt
Sue Gaffney - Portugal Dreams Table Topper

In two short weeks, just in bids alone, we were able to raise $9,230! Amazing!! I have already received several proof of donations and know that you are already making a great impact over there.

Can't say thank you enough. :)

Helping Haiti: List of Auction Items

Hey all, to keep things organized, I'm keeping a running list of what's up for auction! You might've heard that Haiti experienced another huge aftershock yesterday, a 6.1 that hit just as aid and resources were finally starting to flow in. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Here's the list of organizations that you can choose to support with your bids:

• Real Hope for Haiti, a rescue center run by the Zachary family in Cazale, about 1 1/2 hours away from Port Au Prince. They are housing about 60 malnourished kids/orphans now, but are looking for alternative housing since their building is damaged. Click here to donate via Paypal.
• World Vision (Brenda Riddle talks about them on her blog.)
• Red Cross (Please select Haiti Relief and Development when you donate)
• Heartline Ministries (Haiti Relief page), headquartered in Port Au Prince. They have now set up a medical clinic.
• World Wide Village (Read the Livesay family blog for real, honest updates about life there right now.)

Here are all the items up for auction:

1. The Sailboat Quilt by Laurie Simpson of Minick & Simpson 
2. Cotton Blossoms Quilt by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts 
3. Portugal Dreams Table Topper by Kimberly Jolly of FQS
   
4. Alison Wristlet in Fuchsia by Bari J.
5. Alison Wristlet in Cream by Bari J. 
6. Charlotte S'mores Baby Quilt by Me and My Sister Designs
7. Dora S'mores Baby Quilt by Me and My Sister Designs
8. Miss Jump's Honeycomb Quilt by Debbie Taylor of FQS
9. Fresh Laundry Quilt by Kimberly Jolly of FQS
   
10. Bay Breeze Quilt by Monica Solorio-Snow of Happy Zombie
11. Craft Addict Brooch by Genevieve Gail 
12. Ice Cubes Baby Quilt by Me and My Sister Designs
    
13. Woodstock Quilt by Stephanie Dunphy of Loft Creations 
14. Fiona's Frolic Quilt by Me and My Sister Designs
15. Neptune's Girl Quilt by Lissa Alexander
16. Dandelion Wishes Quilt by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts
17. Pennsylvania Dutch Sampler Quilt by Kimberly Jolly of FQS
18. Spring Hill Quilt by The Whimsical Workshop for Robert Kaufman
19. Zen Garden Quilt by The Whimsical Workshop for Robert Kaufman
20. The Bunny Run Quilt by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
21. Garden Cameo Quilt by Denise Sheehan of A Graceful Stitch
22. Bunk House Kid by Mary Cowan of Mary's Cottage Quilts
23. Ice Cream Swirls by Stephanie Dunphy of Loft Creations
24. Shade Garden Quilt donated by Henry Glass Fabrics
25. Peach Cobbler Quilt by Cheryl Cohorn for FQS
26. Parisian Pastries Quilt by Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup
    

Beth at modernJax is also hosting an auction to support nonprofits in Haiti -- scrappy projects made with donated blocks! Visit her blog to look and bid!

Australian Homespun magazine has also mentioned our auction on their blog, as well as several other craft-y endeavors to raise money for Haiti. Kathy over at Pink Chalk Studio has compiled a similar list on her blog as well!

Helping Haiti: Auction Item Parisian Pastries Quilt

Auction item:
Parisian Pastries Quilt

Quilt name: Parisian Pastries

Finished size: 52" x 65 1/2"

Fabrics are Atelier Akiko by Lecien Fabrics.

Made by Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup and quilted by Kathryn Lindsay. "Parisian Pastries" pattern also by Quilt Soup.

Donated by Barbara. (Thank you Barbara!)

Minimum bid is set at $150. Please put your bid amount, first & last name or nickname in your comment. Please read this post for more information. Auction will close at noon CST on January 29th.