Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Yet More Fabric

I've been a fabric buying fool - but that's what happens when you're out of the country for too long. You get back and there is all this luscious beautiful fabric and you kinda go crazy. Or at least *I* do. This is the fabric I bought at Quilter's Choice in Jupiter, FL. Lots of bright happy colors - living in Florida really does something to my color palette.

I did actually buy some lovely chocolatey brown too, but it just didn't go well in the picture. Have you tried these new mini rotary cutters? I played with one at Joes' house and loved it. I feel like I have so much more control over what I'm cutting when I'm just working on one layer.

These are the fabrics I got from the JaMPatch:

They warned me that this incredible gorgeous purple really needs some careful handling since they were able to dye an easter egg with all the loose dye when they tested it. It's gorgeous and will be worth all the trouble, I'm sure. That yard of fabric at the bottom with the spider is some of Jane Sassaman's Prairie Gothic. Wheee, love it. I'm thinking I'll use some big blocks of it somewhere but it will also be cool in smaller pieces. 

See that fabric second from the upper left corner? Red and cheddar? That's some of Heather Bailey's Bijoux line. I love this colorway in particular and am really tempted to go back and buy more, but figure I need to try using with it first and see how it plays with others.

Now all of you who were worried you were at the wrong blog when you saw repro fabrics in my last post can rest easy - see, it's still me. I can't believe though how hard it is to find gorgeous blues, esp turquoise and cyan. It's been that way for a couple of years now and it's time for those colors to be back "in."

But my, the quality of fabric has improved. I'm amazed at how many soft, saturated fabrics there are. It seems like they are using higher thread counts and what a difference that makes. Yummy.

Nichi asked if I usually buy pre-cut fabric and the answer is no. That's something I've been doing while in Florida and most of my stash is back in Paris. Buying charm packs is a great way to instantly expand your fabric choices.

When Bonnie was visiting me here almost two years ago (eek, was it that long ago?) I had a bit of fabric and she brought some strings and crumbs with her, but we needed more fabric with zing. We got a few fat quarters and a couple of charm packs to help in making Love on a Shoestring Budget. Buying those little packs is a really fast way to get started on a string quilt. You don't need big pieces to play with crumbs.

By the way, threw those 4" blocks (with pinked edges!) into the wash  -- on the hand washables cycle -- along with some other fabrics and they came out fine with hardly any fraying. No need for a net bag or anything else. Yup, gotta get a pinker.

My husband left yesterday to go back to Paris. Sad. I'll be seeing him again in late spring/early summer for at least a visit so we won't be too long without him.

I've been watching tv and hand quilting instead of the many chores I should be doing. It's sooo soothing, but I do recognize that I have to get to work. I said that in my last post and did I do it? Nooooo. What a procrastinator.

I leave you with a pic of Pokey investigating the new fabric:

27 comments:

Twisted Quilts said...

I am so crazy about your new fabric. Makes me want to run out and shop! I also bought one of those small rotary cutters last week on sale at Hancocks. I have been working on some of Belinda's small stars and I thought the smaller one would work better. I see that you are moving away from your blue phase. The lime greens really make the other colors "pop".

Beth said...

I love the Prairie Gothic. I have been drooling over it online but have yet to see it in person. I making the long drive to my favorite shop for a Super Bowl Sunday sale. I'm hoping they'll have it!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

wow! can't wait to see what fantastic quilt comes out of these very FLORDIA colors!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

what wonderful bright fabric colors! I love them. I followed your blog off and on when you were in France and glad to see you back to the states safely.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

maggie said...

welcome back to the states and to lots of fabric shopping. we just missed each other in paris a few weeks ago - we probably passed each other mid-air. looking fwd to seeing what you will do with all of that new fabric!

maggie

Anonymous said...

In the second photo, can you tell me the name of that fabulous! pink & black fabric with the monsters on it?

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute......I recognize that first stack of fabric! In fact, I think I cut that stack of fabric, and arranged it ever so nicely for you. I've been a regular visitor of your blog for quite some time now, so it was nice to meet you in person, even though I did not realize I was doing so. Be sure to come back to the store and let me see what you've done with my fabric. Or just post another photo!

YankeeQuilter said...

OH what fun fabrics! I have been very disaplined (for me anyways) and have held off going crazy buying fabric until my sewing room is organized and a few projects finished. I will be playing soon!

Clare said...

I don't know. The minute T turns round the other way, you're out there buying up all the fabric in Florida - and having great great fun!

That purple is just what I'm looking for to finish off Blackcurrant Fool. I assume you are talking about the really dark one at the bottom?

Keep on having fun. How are the knees?

jovaliquilts said...

Oh, my, I *love* your new fabrics! It does look more like you, but I am all for allowing room for change and growth. That pink fabric with the little black monsters -- woot!

pwl said...

I love the new fabrics - but just have to ask - what is that fabric with what looks like a one-eyed monster on it, and the other fabric with words on it, one of which looks like "cat"?

Browndirtcottage said...

I am so happy you are in 'fabric'...'tv'...and 'sunshine' heaven.....can't wait to see what creativity all of this brings you!!

Tracey in CT said...

Those new fabrics (esp. the top picture) definitely scream FLORIDA! Lots of great choices in there.

I have a piece of that fabric with the monsters on it in the middle row of the second picture. I've been thinking that I need to make a wallhanging with it (too good to cut it up!) but I need a good word for with it. Hmmm...maybe seeing it here will inspire me.

Judy in Michigan said...

Glad you are home safe in Florida but I shall miss your beautiful Paris photos. Maybe a photo journey in Florida is on your agenda? Just this weekend I saw a blog with directions to make a pincushion/fun house. The front had a door and the back had a window - very simple, very wonky. Now I can't find the blog. Have you seen it? I appreciate your help. Thanks Tonya.

Judi said...

I love, love the bright fabric! There isn't anything greater than a stack of fabric just waiting to be put together into a wonderful quilt, bag or just anything. I can't wait to see the project!

Kristin L said...

Like so many others, I am drawn to that pink and black monster fabric. I have NO idea what I'd do with it if it were in my stash, but it is just soooooo charming :-)

Marj said...

Love all your bright colors, it must be hard not to have all your fabric with you. And I also would like to see the blue fabrics come back in fashion. Can hardly wait to see what you create with all the beautiful colors!

jmb_craftypickle said...

So exciting...everyday there is more fabric to share... Wheee! I am just finishing Firefly, so sad, it is so great.

Laura said...

I am glad to see you are getting settled in, love the new fabrics. I have that Halloween one in the same colorway, it is sooo cute.

McIrish Annie said...

I LOVE the Jane Sassaman fabric! I met her in Houston in October. What a great lady! and her fabric is gorgeous.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Ahhh, now this looks like Tonya fabric like I would expect. Can Miss lilly come visit me for awhile?

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Congrats for the mention of your blog on page 49 of the latest issue of "McCall's Quilting" magazine!

Phyllis said...

What pretty fabrics you've bought! I'd love to go to my favorite quilt shop but am determined to use up some of what I've already got.

Do you have anything specific in mind, or just adding to your addiction...er, I mean stash?

not so zen -quilts in Paris said...

go go for color Ton, light and climate influence our colorchoice,
miss you here in Paris!

Magpie Sue said...

I'm getting caught up after being down for a while. Absolutely LOVE those brights you picked up! Those are my kind of fabrics!

DH moved everything from my old PC to the new one and now I'm having trouble with Picassa. I'm just about ready to uninstall it and start over from scratch.

Karen said...

I love ALL these fabrics! Look forward to seeing how you use them!

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