Witty Tradition with Denyse Schmidt

 

We just got some of the awesome new fabrics from Franklin by Denyse Schmidt. For those of you who don't yet know (and LOVE her), Denyse's design sensibility is rich with tradition and topped off with the right balance of modern and all of her prints work great for quilting or even cool tops. Let's see a little more of her inspiring work...

 

 

 

A former graphic designer and graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Denyse Schmidt has changed the way we think about quilts. Intrigued by the rich historical nature of quilts and inspired by beauty born of necessity, Denyse adds her distinctive aesthetic sensibility – clean, spare lines, rich color and bold graphics – to this rich art form.

 

 

 

 

 

Though firmly rooted in the techniques of traditional American quilt-making, Denyse Schmidt is renowned for her fresh, offbeat approach to design and color and has won acclaim from the worlds of art, design and craft. We just love the elegance her pieces bring to a space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As an author, fabric designer and teacher, Denyse continues to inspire us all with her witty take on tradition. Denyse’s studio is located in a historic factory building in Bridgeport, Connecticut. That delicious picture of her up top was taken there...talk about work space jealousy.

 

 Want more? We still have lots of her fabulous prints from Free Spirit Fabrics right here!



Spell it with Fabric: Moda Designer Blog Hop!

 

Moda has a fun Blog Hop happening today through February 28th! Here's a list of the designers, their blogs and the dates of their posts for you to follow along!!

 

 

FEBRUARY 17...
American Jane - http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/
Aneela Hoey - http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk
Bunny Hill - http://bunnyhillblog.com/
Cotton Way - http://cottonway.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 18...
Piecing Directions - http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/
Deb Strain -  http://debstrain.blogspot.com/
Kathy Schmitz - http://kathyschmitzstudio.blogspot.com/
Fig Tree and Co. - http://figtreequilts.typepad.com/my_weblog/

FEBRUARY 19...
French General - http://frenchgeneral.blogspot.com/
Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Basic Grey - http://blog.basicgrey.com/

FEBRUARY 20...
Lauren + Jessi Jung - http://laurenandjessiblog.com/
Kansas Troubles - http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/
Laundry Basket Quilts - http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/blog/index.php
Lily Ashbury - http://lilyashbury.com/blog/

FEBRUARY 21...
Me and My Sister Designs - http://meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/
Kate Spain - http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com/
Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Pat Sloan - http://blog.patsloan.com/

FEBRUARY 24...
Primitive Gatherings - http://lisabongean.wordpress.com/
Minick and Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Lissa Alexander - http://modafabrics.blogspot.com

FEBRUARY 25...
Sweetwater - http://sweetwater.typepad.com/makelifesweet/
Thimbleblossoms - http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/
Sandy Gervais - http://piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 26...
Vanessa Christenson - http://www.vanessachristenson.com/
Malka Dubrawski - http://stitchindye.blogspot.com/
Blackbird Designs - http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 27...
Barbara Brackman - http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/
Zen Chic - http://www.farbstoff-bridge.blogspot.com
Gina Martin - http://www.patternandhue.com

FEBRUARY 28...
Setting Directions - http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/
Winners Announced on ALL Designer Blogs listed above



Get to Know Ya Time with Amanda Murphy!!

 

 

Today, we are super excited to have Amanda Murphy sharing with us a little about her new Christmas Collection for Blend Fabrics, Holiday Bouquet! We recently got these prints into the shop and I was just SO happy to see a classically styled, modern arrangement of Christmas fabrics that just seems perfect for all that handmade holiday décor! So now, without further adieu...I present to you a little get to know time with Amanda Murphy!

 

 

Cabbage Rose: Share with us a little about your design process and what makes you tick creatively!

Amanda Murphy: I think about a collection a lot before I actually draw it out.  I draw upon different imagery, mostly from the decorative arts and the natural world.  Then I do some rough pencil sketches before scanning them into the computer and refining them.  I do all coloring on the computer, although I usually have the idea for a palette when I start the collection.  I do lots of color variations to finalize placement and make sure I have a balance of dark, medium, and light tones.  I might draw up to 20 different prints for a collection, although only a portion of these get used.  Also, I usually have some quilt designs in mind as I draw, and that influences the scale and style of the prints.

 

 

 

CR: So how did you get started in the fabric business? Has sewing always been a part of your life?

AM: I always loved textile design, although I went to school for industrial design.  The mixture of art and math in both these disciplines appeals to me.  And yes, but I only discovered quilting as an adult.  As for how I got into the industry, I sent a portfolio to fabric companies and was fortunate enough to have some call me that.  My pattern line grew out of my first fabric lines and my books developed from there.



CR: We LOVE your new Christmas Collection, Holiday Bouquet! It's a great blend of classic and modern elements! Is designing for the holidays more fun or more challenging than a typical collection?

AM: Thanks!  It was fun to design.  I love the holidays so much that my first book, Modern Holiday, is centered upon them.  I wanted to do a collection that was both a little traditional and a little sophisticated with a modern touch.  And I wanted all the prints to be fun to quilt!



CR: I especially love the trees and ornaments in this collection! Where they inspired by anything? How do you like to decorate your Christmas tree?



AM: Can you believe that, ironically, we hardly decorated at all this year (except for the tree) because all of the Christmas quilts and projects were still at C&T Publishing!  I was the proud owner of 20+ Christmas projects with nothing to hang or decorate with.  Our tree right now is dark green with turquoise, green, white and red accents.  It looks like it stepped out of the book, which is no surprise.

 

 

CR: What's the one handmade Christmas decoration no home should be without?

AM: Stockings! Or maybe a TREE SKIRT *(oh hey! we have a CLASS FOR THAT!!)




CR: What are you listening to while sewing these days? Or are you a sew in silence type of gal?
AM: I listen to Podcasts.  I’m a big fan of This American Life.  I also love Planet Money and Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, although I'm awful at word games so I hardly ever know the answers to any of the questions!  I also listen a lot of books on tape.  I love history and biographies. 

 

 



CR: You've designed fabric, quilts, written patterns and books...any new ventures for you on the horizon? 
AM: Yes, and I’m so excited but I can’t talk about that quite yet!  Ask me in a couple of months!



CR: We LOVE that you point folks to try LOCAL SHOPS first before they shop from you directly! Since this is Independent Retailer Month, can share why shopping independent/local is important to you?

AM: I do feel very strongly about supporting local shops.  I think the local shops are the backbone of this industry.  They are where a lot of people learn how to quilt - I learned to quilt at a shop and my local shop support has been really important for me as I grow my business in this industry. Shops are where we learn new techniques and they are one place we can all go to form new friendships.  (One can always find something in common with a fellow quilter, no matter their background.)  We need our shops to keep this industry as healthy and vibrant as it has been for the past couple of decades. 
And local shops provide us with an opportunity to see all those beautiful collections first hand!

 

THANKS SO MUCH AMANDA!! We're just loving these fabrics and can't wait to start decorating for Christmas with them! What will you create for this holiday season?

*Hint: Make drawstring bags for wrapping gifts!

Get to Know Ya Time with Valori Wells!

 

We just got in the beautiful new collection Wish from one of our favorite Free Spirit designers, Valori Wells!! If you've ever been over to her website, you might actually pass out from all the beautiful color and design just blooming from your screen! As soon as I laid eyes on her new collection Wish, I immediately thought it is one of her prettiest collections to date and I think its my new fave! So we decided to ask this seemingly infinite WELL of inspiration a few questions about designing, her new line and how to stay inspired!

 

 

 

 

Cabbage Rose: Designing fabric and quilts, writing books, photography and co-owning a store, your life seems quite full of creativity! How did you get started in the wonderful world of fabric?

Valori Wells: It seems like it was a natural transition for me….. even though I studied Photography in college I always had a love of fabric. I am a self taught fabric designer. The hard way, trial and error, I am always pushing myself to be better at what I do. When I got out of art school I found myself following a boy to North Carolina and ended up working at a Quilt Shop. Go figure since I grew up in one! My mom and I were working on our second book and I realized how much fabric was apart of my life and so I went to Quilter’s Only – it was a small division of Springs Industries – and I submitted my ideas and photography. They took me on and I worked with them for 3 years before a good friend, Donna Wilder, started Free Spirit. I knew that was where I should be. Donna really nurtured me as a designer.  Free Spirit was where I started really pushing myself to do all the drawings and repeats and paintings of my designs. And I haven’t stopped pushing my creativity for fabric since. I have been designing for 15 years…. 

 

 

 

 

CR: Tell us a little about your design process and what inspires you!

VW: I am always inspired by nature and now that I have a family they are constant inspiration for me. I always carry a sketchbook with me and draw all the time. Those drawings and my photography start the creative process of making a collection of fabric. From the drawings I create repeats by hand then take bits and pieces of the drawing in repeat and ink them in black and white and scan them into my computer. Pull them up into Illustrator and put them back together into repeat and then color them.  It is a long transition from idea to fabric and I think long and hard about my designs where they come, the story behind them, from the color to the projects I make.

 

 

 

  

CR: Was there a specific muse for the new collection, Wish?

VW: My family and friends and my love of trees….. I really wanted to create a tree print and with that idea I started thinking about my wishes.. which lead to my family and friends wishes. I sent out requests to my friends and family to write their wishes on paper I provided. I received wishes from people ranging in ages of 2 to 70. I then took the wishes and turned them into branches. From there the rest of the collection just grew. (You can read even more about the specific designs from this collection on her blog here!)

 

CR: I love the names that you gave the color ways, Patience, Strength and Courage...is naming your prints part of the story for a collection or a fun finishing touch?

 

VW: It is part of the collection…especially this collection. It represents my friends and family and their wishes. Sounds funny but the older I get the more sappy and sentimental I am….so names and stories are more important to me than they were in the beginning.

 

 

 

CR: What's your absolute favorite creative outlet? Any hidden talents?

VW: I love to take photos, paint, silk screen, block print and combine them, sometimes in quilts and other times on paper. I just LOVE to create not matter what it is and try new things, get better at what I already do and push myself to grow.

 

 

CR: Even though your portfolio might suggest otherwise, surely you're human and go through creative dry spells like the rest of us! Any tips for getting the wheels turning again if you've been in an un-creative rut?

 

VW: I do go through those times that’s when I will look at art, go to galleries, look at Pinterest, my books and just sketch. By looking at other peoples work I forget my own issues and that seems to help open my mind. When I was in art school I would worry so much when I didn’t have an idea, with age and experience I have mellowed out and found ways to help me stay inspired. I also have some go to magazines that I love, Sweet Paul, Anthology, UpperCase, Mingle, Darling, they are filled with inspiring photographs as well and great recipes and articles.  

 

 

 

 

CR: What’s your favorite go-to handmade project for gifts? We’re always looking for new ideas to add to that arsenal!

VW: My Wish Bird is my favorite handmade gift….. they are stuffed birds with a pocket in the back for wishes or little gifts. They make me smile…

 

 

 

CR: Besides releasing new fabric collections, is anything else exciting happening for you this year?

 

VW: I am working on a book that will release October of 2014. 2014 is going to be a very exciting year for me….(stay tuned) Other than that same busy life with the shop, fabric and family….and hopefully some painting in there somewhere!



I adore getting to peek into the lives of designers, its always so encouraging and inspiring to hear about how others create and get out of ruts especially! Thanks again Valori!! We LOVE WISH!

 

And if YOU LOVE WISH, tell us what you're going to make in the comments section! If you can't quite figure it out, you can always make this fab FREE QUILT PATTERN above that Valori designed specifically for this collection! DOWNLOAD IT HERE!

 

Happy Wishing!

 

Get to Know Ya Time with David Butler of Parson Gray!

 

 Sometimes you find out about something a little too soon. In January I was seeing photos of World Tour by Parson Gray on Facebook and I literally DIED a little inside when reading that they wouldn't be available until June!! How could one so infatuated wait SO LONG? I didn't know how I could actually bear it...but oftentimes, when you have the patience to wait for something you truly love, you are rewarded by the overflowing waves of thankfulness that you FINALLY have your hands on it!

 

Download the FREE World Tour Skullduggery Quilt Pattern HERE!

That's EXACTLY how I felt when these WORLD TOUR quilting cottons at long last hit our shelves this week! Major swoonage y'all! This collection is just perfection in my mind. These gorgeous and worldly graphic prints in rich natural hues are PERFECT for creating for the stylish guys in your life!

 

I am such a HUGE fan of the design mastermind behind Parson Gray, Mr. David Butler (aka Amy Butler's hubs) that I had to hit him up about the latest collection, his design process and creating for dudes! And wouldn't you know it, this classy fella gave me an  interview! So without further ado, a little "Get to Know Ya" time with David Butler!

 

Cabbage Rose: You've been incredibly successful in SO many other creative ventures: as a graphic designer, photographer, editor, even as an incredible musician with your band the Black Owls. What made you decide to add "fabric designer" to your bio?

Parson Gray: Peer pressure! Amy (Butler) and Joyce (from Westminster) kept after me for a few years. I really wanted to do it, but timing was an issue. Turns out all of the other stuff I was doing kept getting in the way! As a designer behind the scenes with Amy, I’ve been involved in helping her turn her hand-done art into digital art for many years. So I knew the ropes.

 

CR: We know you've gotten to do some amazing traveling over the past year with your main squeeze as well as some of your designer friends (yes, maybe we do stalk you on Facebook)! Where did you visit and how does being in a new place affect your creative vision? Do you find yourself working on vacation?

PG: I am blessed that Amy loves to travel as much as I do. AND she’s an easy traveler to boot. She can do carry on for a week in England’s winter and two weeks in Egypt’s deserts back to back. Pretty impressive. Egypt with Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mabley, Amy, and Edith Minne (Renaissance Ribbons) was truly a life changing experience. I absorbed so much both culturally and visually that the inspiration became overload. I don’t really ‘work’ on vacation but I collect ideas and take pictures to use later. My whole life is seeking inspiration, so it comes naturally to me. Amy and I were in the Turks and Caicos for a break too, which is so ripe with great colors and textures of a whole different palette. England is a place that we could both live, so whenever we go there we feel so at home, and the historical aspects are always inspiring. As well as the incredible gardens. 

 



CR: Curious Nature, Seven Wonders, World Tour...it would seem you have a love affair with this little blue planet of ours and the inspiration you can harness from it. We are all natural observers, but what is it about the patterns you choose that makes you want to translate them to fabric?

PG: You know, it’s funny but so much about architecture and flourish and design is based on natural inspiration – and I think that’s inherent in everyone to some degree. The enormous round pillars in the temples at Luxor represent open and closed Lotus flowers. Muslim reliefs show fanciful vines and flora. Much of what I do is somewhat second-hand inspiration really. I draw so much from the historical context of art and architecture that is all ‘plant-based’ inspiration. Amy really draws directly from nature in a way that It’s very apparent, but my style is a bit more subtle in the type of geometry that I use to represent nature. It’s more architectural.
  

 

CR: You use some beautiful symbols in your newest collection World Tour like the flower of life and Tibetan knots; can you explain what these symbols mean to you?

PG: Well I do consider myself to be a somewhat “spiritual” person. I find a great deal of inspiration across many beliefs, not just one. The beauty of these symbols is their great ability to instill optimism in us. They are soothing. I don’t react as strongly to their meanings as I do their ability to create a meditative and comfortable ‘familiarity’ that gives you a sense of understanding. They’re peaceful. 

 

CR: I think your designs are EXACTLY what men are looking for these days. Especially since you've created a utility fabric like canvas, it’s that much easier to create even more than just slick looking quilts in your designs! If your lady were to present you with the perfect handmade gift made with your new Utility Canvas, what would it be? (I'm thinking of making my hubby a firewood carrier with them...thumbs up or down??)

PG: Firewood carrier is a great idea. A shop apron is great too, if he’s into wood or metalworking, or works on bikes. A bike messenger bag too.

 

 

CR: Any pointers on creating for guys in general? Sometimes we get SO stumped on what men will be into!

PG: The great secret? Guys like quilts. They like throws, but simple stuff. Stuff they don’t have to worry about getting dirty. My fabrics are great for that! They’re dirt friendly. Ha.

 



CR: Obviously you have a musical background, and honestly, all of your collections seem like they came straight out of the interior design story board for a rock star's urban loft! How does music influence your design sensibilities? Or vice-versa?

PG: It all comes from the same place. It’s all storytelling. I think of my design just like my lyrics, in a complete story. Dark yet optimistic, mysterious but comfortable. Parson Gray does the same thing for me that Black Owls do. It gives me a fun pulpit to tell my funky stories.

 

 Well there you have it! I just love getting a deeper look into the creative life of designers I admire! And thank you David for the awesome interview! We love what you're doing and look forward to seeing what you create in the future! You can shop David's new collection WORLD TOUR and through the end of the month, receive FREE SHIPPING on US orders over $35! Stock up on these awesome fabrics and get it them to you for LESS!! Still have some of Curious Nature in stock too!

Happy Creating!

Check out the Beautiful NEW Alchemy Organic by Amy Butler!

 

 

As you all know Amy Butler has always been very near and dear to our hearts as we've watched her entire farbic designing career with joy and excitement! We love seeing her branch out into all the areas that her beautiful designs have reached and cannot wait to see what she decides to do in the future!!  But for now, we are all smitten with her new Organic Collection, Alchemy!!

 

 

 

Here's what Amy has to say about her latest beauties!!

 

"Alchemy Organic consists of a sweet collective of my favorite botanical inspired prints translated in brilliant hues that are irresistible on my beautiful 100% organic fashion and quilting cotton. This luxurious material makes the most delicious quilts and just keeps getting softer and softer with every wash. The incredible feel of the fabric & uplifting prints will have you dreaming up special projects for the ones you love!"

 

 

 

She picked some of the most breathtaking prints to release in Organic Cotton, the feel of this fabric is truly wonderful. If you want to take your creations to the next level, this collection will totally bring an element of lushness to anything you make!!

 

 

 

They would be absolutely fabulous as little nighties or sweet pajama sets! These super soft and luxurious prints are perfect for lounging around in bed or on the sofa! Wrap up in a yummy quilt made with coordinating prints and turn your home into an oasis of comfort!

 

 

 

 

Plenty of standout prints suitable for creating bohemian handbags or flowy skirts that will satisfy the freest of spirits' fashion craving! Make a simple tank top, throw it on over your favorite pair of Levi's, add cardigan and you've got a chic and simple outfit perfect for any occasion! Oh and you'll feel super comfy too!!  

 

 

 

Let the fabric do the talking in any of your quilting endeavours with Alchemy and use a simple and modern quilt pattern that really shows those prints off!! Try a strip quilt, large block patchwork, or even a duvet cover made with one print on the front and one on the back!

 

We are so excited to see what everyone makes with this gorgeous collection! Share your pictures with us on Facebook!! And Happy Sewing!

 



Pretty NEW Prints from Blend Fabrics!!

 

 

We've just been bombarded with gorgeous new fabrics in the shop for the past few weeks so pardon all the fabulous inspiration pictures we'll be posting as a result!! We've especially taken notice to the gorgeous and unique fabrics coming our way from Blend Fabrics!!

 

 

I am so enchanted by this organic, watercolor inspired collection Alchemy by the wonderful artist, Shell Rummel. Her love of the transparent color quality of her paintings spills over into pattern making and we just love the unique result! They are a bit more abstract than the usual print, but that's the element that makes this collection standout as so special!

 

 

 

 

The cool and calming tones and prints are perfect for creating a bedroom retreat or a soothing nursery with a subtle and modern feel. These muted colors are fabulous for letting your heirloom wood furniture be a focus, which still bringing in a beautiful hint of interest.

 

 

 

 

 

Try this lovely and simple hexagonal FREE QUILT PATTERN, Arcadian to really show of these wonderful prints!

 

 

 

 

And how pretty is Bella by Amanda Murphy??? These prints are bright, bold and lots of feminine fun!! Both the Buttercream and Seagrass colorways are fabulous! Wonderful for scumptous quilts, pillows and more!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And isn't the Bella in Bloom FREE QUILT PATTERN just darling? How could you not wake up in a cheery mood with this little beauty draped over you?! If you need to bring a little extra sunshine in during this year's dreary winter months, this is collection for you!

 

We just love when new sources of beautiful fabric come out and we can't wait to see even more of the beautiful things the Blend designers will be doing in the future!!

Fabric Feature: Rock n Romance by Pat Bravo!!

 

 

We are just enthralled with Art Gallery Fabrics this year! Those girls are creating some beautiful collections left and right with really fresh and unique color schemes and obviously so knock-out prints! And Rock 'n Romance, the newest set by Pat Bravo is absolutely no exception!!

 

 

 

 

My goodness, these purples are too perfect!! There hasn't been a ton of purple that we've loved out on the market but as soon as we pulled these bolts out of the box we were all ooh'ing and ahhh'ing! And the mixture of shades in purple, coral and gray is just a really fresh and feminine look!

 

 

 

 

How cute is this skull quilt?? With florals so fancy and colors so sweet, this look is anything but scary! Not ready to get that crazy? A simple strip quilt, patchwork or pinwheels would still be fantastic! That's the wonderful thing about fabrics, some are so great it doesn't matter WHAT you make! 

 

 

 

Redo your rockstar's bedroom with a new quilt, funky throw pillows, cool and graphic curtains and maybe a fabric covered memory board or some wall art! You could even cover a lamp shade with one or more of these prints to bring even more color in! Love the quilt on the bed?? You can dowload the FREE PATTERN for the Star-Studded quilt here!

 

 

 

 

 

And they are obviously wonderful prints for fashion and accessories!! Pick your favorite bold print and make a simple skirt, a tunic or a dress...or...go REALLY crazy and make up your own design!!! Mix a few prints and create hip totes or makeup bags for all your girlfriends for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

Try this project I found on the Art Gallery Blog for a pair of rocking shoelaces that will make your sneakers really stand out! Great for young ones or the young at heart, make these Scrappy Patchwork Shoelaces and you'll give your everday kicks a little bit of attitude! 

 

 

This is a super fun grouping of fabrics and there's just so many fun ideas out there to try!! What would you like to make in Rock 'n Romance??